What Is A Seed Library?
According to Wikipedia, “A seed library is an institution that lends or shares seed. It is distinguished from a seed bank in that the main purpose is not to store or hold germplasm or seeds against possible destruction, but to disseminate them to the public which preserves the shared plant varieties through propagation and further sharing of seed.”
So what is a seed library? It’s simply a place where you can “check out” seeds for free. The seeds come from the backyards of local gardeners and companies that donate seeds. The Lyman Public Library does not require a library card to check out seeds.
In addition to being free, here’s what’s awesome about getting seeds from a seed library. First, you have the chance to get unique heirloom and local varieties from folks who have been gardening for years. Second, fewer seeds are wasted. Many of us don’t need a whole seed packet of seeds; the seed library makes small packets suitable for a home garden.
We accept all kinds of seed donations of commercially packaged and saved seeds. We then repackage donations into coin envelopes, writing as much information as possible onto a mailing label and sticking it on the front. Each envelope will contain enough seeds to start three to five plants.
Due to a lack of time and manpower, we don’t strictly monitor what is being checked out, but we do have a sign-out sheet where people write their names and the seeds they’ve taken, and can include an email address if they are interested in our gardening programs or volunteering.
