Of course, you can check out books at the Westport Library.
And — though purists once shuddered at the thought — you can also borrow CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays.
In fact — just like Alice’s Restaurant — you can get almost anything you want at our library.
Including seeds.
Two years ago, the Westport Library began offering organic seeds. Folks loved it.
Seeds are stored in an old Westport Library card catalog, near the reference section.
Now, the Westport Farmers’ Market has donated over 75 packets of heirloom and open-pollinated seeds to the Westport Grows Seed Exchange and Library. (“Borrowers” are encouraged to donate back to the program.)
The heirloom seeds — saved for generations by local farmers and gardeners — add to a collection that already included organic seeds from noted growers like High Mowing and Baker’s Creek.
The donation comes after the Farmers’ Market launched its own seed-saving program in February. The response was overwhelming. With thousands of seeds left, it was an easy decision to give them to the library — the market’s neighbor, across the Imperial Avenue footbridge.
Gardeners, farmers, homesteaders, chefs — and everyone else — is invited to stop by the library.
Browse a catalog at the entrance to the reference section.
Then “check out” — literally — a stunning variety of open-pollinated, heirloom or organic species of fruit, vegetables and flowers.
(For more information click here, or email director@westportfarmersmarket.com)
It’s a terrific idea. Fairfield Library started one years ago. Last year, I went to exchange seeds at the Westport Library but they were years old. With the new donation from the Farmers Market, hopefully the seeds are current.
Thanks for this information, Dan. And I agree with Rindy, let’s hope this collection can be kept current. Particular apropos that the Westport Library would have this initiative, and particularly meaningful in the context of the controversies over seed patenting going on.
Seed library collections are growing (!) everywhere! Borrow, plant, return — a great community effort to conserve precious seed varieties.
I haven’t yet used my library’s collection, but am now very interested.
p.s. Love that card catalogue!