Libraries Now Lend Garden Seed Alongside Books
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The La Crosse, Wisconsin public library has a new use for those old card catalogues that were replaced by computers. They stuff them full of seeds. Like a growing number of public libraries around the country, it is offering patrons garden seed. Part of the offer includes information on planting, harvesting and saving seed to return to the library.
“In 2013 we checked out more than 600 seed packets of 24 varieties of open pollinated seed to more than 120 people,” says Kelly Becker, La Crosse Public Library. “This year we expanded to 62 varieties, including herbs and flowers, increased the limit to 10 packets each, and checked out a total of 1,400 seed packets.”
Becker and Cindy Mischnick coordinated the effort. Although the library asks people to return seeds, there is no overdue fine for those who don’t. Becker reports that about 40 percent of the “borrowers” returned seed, usually bringing in more seed than they received initially.
The library also offered seedlings both last year and this year. More than 500 plants representing 10 varieties were handed out in a 4-hour period this past May. Patrons were limited to 4 seedlings each of up to 10 different varieties on a first come, first serve basis.
Becker is quick to point out that La Crosse was the first seed lending library in the state, but not the country. She based much of what they did on city libraries in Pima, Arizona and Richmond, Calif. “After we announced our plans last spring, we had others in Wisconsin contact us, and at least 4 or 5 had seed lending libraries running last spring,” says Becker. “This year at least 15 more opened up around the state.”
She gives a lot of credit to Seed Savers Exchange for help received with workshops, general information and seed sourcing.
“They were a huge resource,” says Becker.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, La Crosse Public Library, Attn: Kelly Becker,
800 Main St.,
La Crosse, Wis. 54601
(ph 608 789-7100; www.lacrosselibrary.org) or Seed Savers Exchange,
3094 North Winn Rd., Decorah, Iowa 52101 (ph 563 382-5990; www.seedsavers.org).
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Libraries Now Lend Garden Seed Alongside Books FARM HOME Miscellaneous The La Crosse Wisconsin public library has a new use for those old card catalogues that were replaced by computers They stuff them full of seeds Like a growing number of public libraries around the country it is offering patrons garden seed Part of the offer includes information on planting harvesting and saving seed to return to the library “In 2013 we checked out more than 600 seed packets of 24 varieties of open pollinated seed to more than 120 people ” says Kelly Becker La Crosse Public Library “This year we expanded to 62 varieties including herbs and flowers increased the limit to 10 packets each and checked out a total of 1 400 seed packets ” Becker and Cindy Mischnick coordinated the effort Although the library asks people to return seeds there is no overdue fine for those who don’t Becker reports that about 40 percent of the “borrowers” returned seed usually bringing in more seed than they received initially The library also offered seedlings both last year and this year More than 500 plants representing 10 varieties were handed out in a 4-hour period this past May Patrons were limited to 4 seedlings each of up to 10 different varieties on a first come first serve basis Becker is quick to point out that La Crosse was the first seed lending library in the state but not the country She based much of what they did on city libraries in Pima Arizona and Richmond Calif “After we announced our plans last spring we had others in Wisconsin contact us and at least 4 or 5 had seed lending libraries running last spring ” says Becker “This year at least 15 more opened up around the state ” She gives a lot of credit to Seed Savers Exchange for help received with workshops general information and seed sourcing “They were a huge resource ” says Becker Contact: FARM SHOW Followup La Crosse Public Library Attn: Kelly Becker
800 Main St
La Crosse Wis 54601
ph 608 789-7100; www lacrosselibrary org or Seed Savers Exchange
3094 North Winn Rd Decorah Iowa 52101 ph 563 382-5990; www seedsavers org
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