By Theresa-Marie Wilson
The Nipomo Library is bringing back the long gone card catalogue system traditionally used to locate shelf placement of books in the library, a practice that has been largely replaced by computers. The card cabinet still sprouts interest, but in a completely different form of enrichment. Pulling out the drawers reveals seeds for planting.
Working with the SLO Seed Exchange, the San Luis Obispo County Library began a pilot seed library program that will provide a place for green thumbs to share seeds and experience, to learn about seed saving, and to become better gardeners.
“Nipomo is a rural branch,” said Nipomo Library Branch Manager Kim Pendleton. “We had an active group of volunteers who assisted with gathering the seeds and packing the seeds. They are from local growers. The growing community here in Nipomo is one thing that earned us the privilege of being the first.”
It works pretty much the same as checking out your favorite book, CD or DVD; visit the library to select seeds that you would like to plant, and check them out for free. Seeds are arranged by difficulty and plant type so gardeners can select exactly what they need. All our plants will be locally sourced, GMO free, and non-commercial.
The library currently offers seeds representing 170 different plants ranging from flowers to vegetables all stored in about 1,700 different packets. Registered patrons who live in the county can check out up to 10 packets, each with several seeds inside. New packets can be picked up in for each of three growing seasons; spring, winter and fall.
Ideally, once seeds are checked out and planted, the borrower then harvests seeds from their successful plants, and returns them to the library for others to check out.
“It is not a requirement, but that is the goal,” Pendleton said.
After going through growing pains and finding out what works and what doesn’t, other libraries in the county system, of which there are 15, will likely start their own seed libraries in the fall.
About 35 people attended the recent grand opening of the seed library that provided materials for distribution including tips on growing plants from seeds, as well as saving seeds from plants. There was a lot of networking among seasoned gardeners, new gardeners, and seed library volunteers.
Seed libraries are blooming and are estimated to number more than 450 across the country. Humans have been saving and sharing seeds for centuries allowing for food and crop diversity.
The Nipomo Library is located at 918 W. Teft Street. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays, are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information about the San Luis Obispo County Library and its events, contact your local library branch or visit www.slolibrary.org.