The Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club library is housed in the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies library in Millbrook. RTWBC members and CIES staff are welcome to borrow any RTWBC library materials. We are grateful to the many generous people who have contributed to this library over the years, and to CIES for agreeing to give our library its lovely new home.

Where & When to Go

The CIES library is located in the Administration (Plant Science) building on Sharon Turnpike (Route 44). Library hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm.

RTWBC members, please enter the building through the main entrance, sign the register at the reception desk, and then proceed to the library on the lower floor via the spiral staircase just behind the receptionist. There is also an elevator on the main corridor.

Check-in & Check-out Procedure

To borrow items from the RTWBC library, use the Signout/Signin sheet in the binder and

1. Fill in the title of the item you are borrowing and the associated shelf location.
2. Fill in your name and phone number.
3. Fill in the Sign Out date.
4. Place a check mark under the appropriate Affiliation column.

When you return the items to the library, just fill in the Sign In date on the same sheet.

If you are unable to go to the library yourself, Barry Haydasz and Ken Fredericks stand ready to take your request for any books, multi-media material, or travel folders. Barry will bring your requested items to you at a subsequent Monday general membership meeting, while Ken will bring them to an RTWBC Wednesday bird walk. See Library contact information under “Committee Chairs” in Wings Over Dutchess.

Finding Your Way Around the RTWBC Library at CIES

The RTWBC section of the library consists of several sets of wooden bookshelves off the center aisle. Look for the Waterman Bird Club Collection sign on top of the bookshelves, along with a plastic binder with Signout/Signin sheets. RTWBC members may not borrow materials from any other part of the CIES library. Amy Schuler, CIES Librarian, is available to help you with any questions you may have.

Our books are organized by category. Field Guides to Birds are arranged on the shelf according to the area they cover – starting with the eastern United Sates at the left end. Non-Bird Field Guides are also available. Books in other categories are arranged alphabetically by title.

Where to Bird guide books can be found on the Field Guide shelves, while travel information pamphlets are filed in folders located in a box labeled Travel on the lower right shelf.

RTWBC Library Index

You can download the complete list of books and other materials in the RTWBC library and print it for your own reference if you like.

Our library includes books and other materials in the following categories:

• Birds
• Bird Behavior
• Bird Watching
• Birds in the Garden
• Field Guides - Birds
• Field Guides - Non-Bird
• Bent Series
• Humor
• Photography
• Large & General Reference
• Audio - Birds & Nature
• Video - Birds & Nature