The 55th Annual Meeting of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, Inc. (CBHL) will be held in Fort Worth, May 1-5, 2023. The meeting will be hosted by the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. This year’s theme of “Hybridity & Harmony” speaks to the crossbreeding of plant species as well as libraries’ changed workspaces and models for connecting with in-person and virtual patrons. The harmony aspect of the theme refers to the delicate balance needed to carry out our jobs and effectively reach our patrons.

Best practices in remote work, collections care and management, trends in technology and user engagement, and fresh strategies for adapting and flourishing in an ever-changing digital landscape will be featured at this meeting. In addition to touring the grounds and facilities of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, attendees will also tour surrounding museums and libraries, including Texas Christian University Libraries’ Special Collections department and the Monnig Meteorite Gallery, the Kimbell Art Museum, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. In-person and virtual attendees will be able to attend a number of presentations during this meeting. Barney Lipscomb will present "A Botanical Waltz Across Texas: Biological Crossroads and Floral Wonders of the Lone Star State" and provide a broad overview of the 10 vegetational areas of Texas, highlight some of the unique and fascinating ecological systems, plus give a closer look at some of the rarer plants in the Lone Star State. Dr. Alejandra Vasco will speak about the Ferns of Colombia project she is spearheading as well as "Illuminations: Past, Present, and Future of Fern Research" - a tripartite art exhibition featuring fern vouchers from Colombia and other BRIT Herbarium specimens. Dr. Tom Shay will share his insights in "The Wandering Watermelon: A Bittersweet Tale." Domesticated in Africa, watermelons spread around the world and are now enjoyed by a host of cultures and are part of many cuisines. Yet, there is a bitter side to this story as images of the watermelon have been used to denigrate non-White ethnic groups. 

Join us at this remarkable meeting in Cowtown! For more information about in-person and virtual attendance of this meeting, please visit https://cbhl.libguides.com/fortworth2023. Questions about this upcoming meeting may be directed to Ana Niño, Fort Worth Botanic Garden, at anino@fwbg.org.

The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries empowers its members to lead in botanical and horticultural information services. CBHL strengthens its membership, addressing emerging issues, and providing expertise and value to our respective organizations. For more information about CBHL, visit its web site at http://www.cbhl.net.