Did you know that at our Mountain View Public Library (MVPL) you can now check out seeds as well as books? The MVPL Seed Library is just a few months old but the program is up and running thanks to librarian Emily Weak, and her forward-thinking management. I checked with the Los Altos and Palo Alto libraries, and neither has a seed program, but the staff persons I spoke to all thought it was an exciting idea.
Free Seeds - No Pressure
The Seed Library's tag line is "checkouts with out the overdues" - cute, and it's true. All you need to do is 1) sign out the seed packets that you select from the collection (located in the lobby) 2) plant and grow them 3) if you have the know-how, collect and return some seed. The seed collection has been growing steadily, and recently received a generous donation of seed packets from Seed Savers Exchange. Most of the donations are from local gardeners (myself included), and that is how the collection will be maintained.
Gardening Themed Events
The Seed Library also hosts associated events such as gardening talks (such as, saving seeds, growing from seeds, eating what you grow) and visits to local gardens. The first garden visit takes place this Saturday, July 27, 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM, for a visit and tour of MV Fire Station One's edible garden. You'll meet firefighter and enthusiastic gardener Mike Robbins and explore his fire station’s garden, which includes vegetables and fruit trees. Gather at the Mountain View Public Library in the lobby for a 10 minute walk to the fire station, or come early at 10:30AM and help pack up seeds for the library.
Help the Seed Library Grow
Donations of seeds and help with repacking for distribution are very welcome. The library will only be a success with the participation of volunteers from our community, and that's the point: growing and sharing seeds grows community. It's a win-win.
For more information go to the MVPL Seed Library events web page.
Photo credit: Patricia Larenas, Urban Artichoke
