The Moorestown library’s seed library officially opened earlier this month.
“Our community in particular has a really strong interest in gardening and nature programs, so we thought that this would be a great service to incorporate into our library,” said Caitlin Hawe-Ndrio, head of the library’s adult services.
A seed library is a place where residents can get seeds for free or for a nominal fee and is run for the public benefit. Many seed libraries are open in public libraries and community centers.
For some communities, getting people to garden and grow some of their own food is the focus. For others, the seed libraries may be created as an important step to develop a network of seed savers; create locally adapted varieties; respond proactively to climate change or loss of gene integrity due to GMOs (genetically modified organisms); or to preserve genetic diversity, according to www.seedlibraries.weebly.com.
“We wanted to find a way that it worked for our library, since it’s a really nice opportunity to offer this service,” Hawe-Ndrio explained. “This is one of the libraries that I’ve worked at where there’s such a strong interest for gardening and growing, and recycling and composting, and just being more economically conscious and efficient. So it’s really nice.”
Moorestown library patrons can pick up to five vegetable packets per household per week and up to three flower packets per household per week. Donations will also be accepted for the seed library, all of which must be in unopened packaging.
“We’re really excited for it,” Hawe-Ndrio enthused. “It’s been something we’ve been talking about for a while and planning for, so it’s exciting to see it finally launch … I’m curious to hear what people’s feedback is on it and maybe how it’s helping them with their gardening … I think it will definitely help support some of our programs that fall along nature or gardening …
“It’s a great way to tie it into our other services.”
In coordination with the seed library’s grand opening, members of the Rutgers Master Gardener Program of Burlington County held a seed starting program on Feb. 19. The master gardening program utilizes trained volunteers who have sincere interests in home horticulture to help the community and answer questions.
“When folks are visiting to pick up a book or attend a program,” Hawe-Ndrio said, “it (the seed library) gives them something extra to browse through, and it might be something that they’ve been looking for or need, so it’s really nice.”
