Getting Started

Seed libraries are as diverse as the communities they serve. There is no right way to do it. It can be a small box of seeds or an entire network of seed libraries with inter-library loans and everything in-between.
Before starting it is helpful to ask why do you want to create a library. Some reasons:

• preserving genetic diversity
• local resilience
• climate adaptation
• creating community
• food sovereignty
• preserving culturally important seeds
• social justice
• save money
• lack of access to seeds
• wanting to share seeds
• food security
• encouraging gardening
• educating people about seed saving
• alternative to genetically modified foods 
  
  

While having a sense of why you want to start a seed lending library is important, don’t worry too much about it. There may be a number of reasons or different people may have various motivations for being involved. The reasons for starting a seed library may inform or guide some of the choices you make so it’s helpful to understand your motivations, but don’t get too stuck on formalizing all the reasons. The important thing is to get started and know that it may evolve over time and the reasons may change over time.
When starting a seed library, keep in mind that you want your library to run for years and hopefully with a minimum amount of input in terms of labor and costs. Start small and build upon your successes. Not everything needs to happen right now. Your first year you may want to focus on getting the physical space open and building a community of members. Education on gardening or seed saving are things you can include once the fundamentals are in place. Consider creating systems that will be self-managing or that are outlined so that the duties and responsibilities can easily be transferred to another person if necessary.

Questions to Consider 🤔

• Who is going to help you?
• ​Are there some organizations that you can partner with? If so, who will be responsible for what aspects of the library?
• Are there any local seed saving groups?
• Is there a university or community college nearby with a horticulture department? Are there students or faculty who can be of support (ex. saving seeds, getting the library launched, teaching classes)?
• Are there any community farms in your area or farms that are community-minded?
  
  

We live in a time where it’s essential to have a strong web of support. Connect with some natural allies to let them know about your project and see if there are ways that they would like to get involved. Here are a few groups you may want to reach out to:

• Local garden club
• Master gardeners/Cooperative Extension Office
• Permaculture guild
• Local sustainability group
• Local seed savers group
• Horticulture departmentL
• Library or community space holders​

Locations
​​Seed lending libraries are located in a variety of places. Pick a location that works for your group and is in alignment with your purpose. Consider the pros and cons of different locations. For example, if you locate your seed library in a public library you will be able to reach a large and diverse population, but the collection might be more open with little to no monitoring because it’s on an honor system – unless your collection is connected to the public library card or stationed at the reference desk. 

More to Think About 🤔

• What is your primary intention for the seed library? Social justice? Food security? Getting people to garden? Seed saving? Genetic preservation?
• ​How will your location support your primary intention? Will it be accessible to a wide-range of people?
• Do you want it to be open to the general public? 
• Will it require someone to be present when it’s open?
• Do you want someone checking out seeds to make sure you know where the seeds are going or that people are taking a limited quantity of seeds?
• Is there a cost associated with, or other requirement of, using the space?

For ideas on where seed libraries are located, visit the Explore the Map. Check out the legend.