Library

Our library is multifunctional, and it has several parts to serve its different functions.

1. The Society maintains a collection of periodicals, mainly the American Orchid Society’s monthly magazine, ORCHIDS. In addition some issues of ORCHID DIGEST are also available to our members.

These are kept in two places: At our meeting site (Clay Critters located at 4866 North 9th Street Road in West Lafayette, IN 47906), and at the home of our newsletter editor, Dr. Charles Bracker, (308 Park Lane, West Lafayette, IN 47906).

They can be used at either of those sites, or they can be checked out for up to two weeks by signing out on appropriate forms. Checkout can be renewed for an additional two weeks if needed. This is a privilege afforded to our present members in good standing.

2. We also maintain an ample and diverse collection of books about orchids located in the same two locations.

These resources are maintained as a service for our members. Some of the books are very expensive, and we ask that you respect them and treat them as if they were your own precious property. They are wonderful reference materials and resources for you to learn from. For those located in the home of our Newsletter Editor, sometimes he may need particular items as resources for a newsletter in preparation. If that is the case, he may have to ask for an early return of a book or periodical. Please be understanding and return them early if that is the case.

3. The next category in the library is “Links, or “Glad you asked.” If a LOS member has a question and seeks an answer, this part of the library can be very helpful. Here we try to provide links to addresses on the web that will help our members locate the answer to the questions he/she has. Obviously we cannot cover every question that anybody would ask, or all information that a person would seek, but this part of the library will be built from scratch and then expand gradually. With time and experience, it will eventually become a small encyclopedia of orchid-related information for our members.

It is important to point out ahead of time that the Links section of the library will NOT provide the information directly, but will just provide links to addresses on the web where the needed information can be found. Please be patient as it takes time to build the bank of information to make this section universally useful.

4. The final section of the library is one that allows LOS members to communicate with each other, with the web master, and with officers of the Society to ask questions, make comments, suggestions of all kinds relevant to the Society, its operation, etc. As an alternative, members may communicate with officers and the newsletter editor directly via e-mail. We are always open for that kind of communication,