Have you heard the term seed library before? Seed libraries have been around for a while, cropping up in both public and academic libraries for over twenty years now.

 

The first seed library sprouted at Berkeley Ecology Center in Berkeley, California in 1999 and was called the Bay Area Seed Interchange Library (BASIL.) The first seed library to make its debut in a public library was in 2004 at the Gardiner Public Library in Gardiner, New York. As of 2018, there were more than 660 seed libraries in 48 states, and they just keep growing!

 

Curious about the purpose of a seed library? A seed library is created for community members and library patrons to share and distribute local seeds from seed-bearing plants they have grown or store-bought seeds they have purchased to donate so others can grow their own food. Seed libraries are an affordable (oftentimes free) way for people to grow their own, healthy food. Seed libraries can have multiple benefits including promoting biodiversity, supporting the community, and aiding gardeners. In many areas of the United States, people have limited access to fresh, healthy foods, and seed libraries help fill that gap.

 

Why am I telling you all this stuff about seed libraries? Because the Bridgeport Public Library is getting ready to unveil our very own seed library just in time for spring! Our old card catalog has found a new home and purpose. Located in the front lobby of our library, our card catalog currently sits empty as we begin work to open it up as a seed library. Why do we have a seed library? It’s going to be a great place where you can stop and pick up seeds for your garden and a place where you return seeds at the end of the season for next year—all for free! We are currently accepting donations of vegetable, flower, and herb seeds as long as you can provide information about the type of seeds they are (type, variety, year harvested/bought, etc.) Organic, non-GMO seeds are preferred, but we will accept other types as well. For more information about this, contact Angela Spatafore at aspatafore@bridgeportwv.com or 304-842-8248.

 

Additionally, our new Friends of the Library group is hard at work with library staff to package seeds for the seed library. If you would like to help and join the Friends group, please visit our webpage for more information at bplwv.org/friends.