The Flower-Sprecher Veterinary Library’s collection contains an internationally recognized selection of materials on veterinary medicine and animal culture. These resources support the College’s undergraduate, graduate, clinical, and research programs.
Related strengths include immunology, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacology, physiology, and human medicine.
The library’s holdings are supplemented by the extensive collections of the Cornell University Library on the Ithaca campus and Weill Cornell Medical College Library in New York City, numbering in excess of six million print volumes.
Additional library services include instruction, outreach, information searching, interlibrary loan, and ScanIt document delivery.
Poisonous Plant Garden
Outside the library is a poisonous plant garden, which supplements the veterinary curriculum by showcasing some common and not-so-common plants known to be toxic to animals.
The garden also provides a beautiful outdoor space, complete with tables and chairs, where people can read or study, host small group meetings, or just soak up some sunshine.
Fun Facts for History Buffs
The veterinary library was founded on September 21, 1897, with a gift from Roswell P. Flower, former governor of New York.
Originally named the Roswell P. Flower Library, it eventually was re-named the Flower-Sprecher Veterinary Library in 1992 to recognize Dr. and Mrs. Isidor I. Sprecher for their generous support of the College. For a more historical information about the Flower-Sprecher Veterinary Library, see our libguide featuring a timeline and historical photos.
(Want to learn more about the history of the College of Veterinary Medicine? Check out this interactive timeline! Be sure to select “Veterinary Medicine” from the “Colleges & Schools” drop-down menu.)