Library offers seeds of knowledge — and now real seeds as well

The Lincoln Public Library lands all sorts of things in addition to books and music, but now it’s giving something away: seeds.

The “seed library” on the ground floor offers packets of seeks stored in old wooden card catalogue boxes, as well as a notebook with instructions from the original seed packets on planting each type (visitors can jot them down or take a picture with their phone of the pages of interest).

The seeds were donated by Weston Nurseries of Lincoln and Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland. The selection focuses on easier-growing garden plants, “which is why there is more of a focus on fruits and vegetables rather than flowers, as they can be a bit finicky,” said librarian Alison Armstrong, who organized the project after hearing interest from some patrons and noting the idea’s success at other libraries.

Even though libraries are usually in the business of offering things to use in the building, or lending things with an expectation that they’ll be returned, the seed library squares with the institution’s mission. “Above all, the work of the library is providing access to resources and information that patrons may not otherwise have been able to utilize,” Armstrong said. “By connecting with our community partners to establish the seed library, we’re able to facilitate access to people who may have always been interested in building their own garden, but were unable to do so for whatever reason.”

The most important piece, Armstrong continued, “is being able to provide the Lincoln community with a hands-on educational resource, which is at the core of our mission to focus on life-long learning and sharing new knowledge and ideas.”