LIBRARIES ARE A GREAT PLACE TO EXCHANGE SEEDS AND EXPAND OUR COMMUNITY OF GROWERS
Seeds of Knowledge and Growth
LIBRARIES ARE A GREAT PLACE TO EXCHANGE SEEDS AND EXPAND OUR COMMUNITY OF GROWERS
Libraries are not only places for people to check out books. They also serve as community centers for reading, studying, meetings, children’ s activities, accessing technology, and much more. Public and academic libraries in the Berkshires— such as Sawyer Library at Williams College, Freel Library at MCLA, Adams Free Library, and Berkshire Athenaeum— have what is called a“ seed library,” a collection of seeds
that people can“ check out.” Seed libraries educate, build community, and provide seeds to anyone who is interested. They also raise awareness and spread joy
around seeds and growing. These strengths sound a lot like the strengths of traditional libraries— and a good reason to have seed libraries located there. The idea is that when the plants flower and go to seed, the seeds are collected and some are deposited back into the seed library. Returning seeds isn’ t necessarily a requirement, although it is encouraged at most seed libraries.
“ Seeds are a form of knowledge, storytelling, and contain life,” says May Beattie, Sawyer circulation desk coordinator at Sawyer Library.“ Providing access to seeds is a way to invite patrons into new forms of knowledge-making. Local seed libraries also have the
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