Kildare Seed Library is a new initiative from Kildare Library Service launching on 24th March. We are piloting this exciting project in our three northern branches with a series of events running from 24th to 29th March in Celbridge, Leixlip and Maynooth libraries.
The Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds available for our community of library members to use. Where possible, the seeds are of organic provenance. Gardeners ‘borrow’ seeds in the spring and save some from their harvested crop to ‘return’ to the library after harvest, thus creating a self-sustaining collection. Individuals can borrow up to three packets, while stocks allow; there is a limited reserve of seed for this trial period. To use this service, you need to be a member of Kildare Libraries. It is free to join online or in any of our branches.
Through this project, we hope to help our library users to grow their own healthy food and re-learn the art of saving seed. During the year we will be hosting talks, film screenings and workshops to support the gardening community (new and established), including seed-saving workshops in the autumn. Participating branches will happily accept donations of appropriate and open-pollinated seeds which are clearly labelled. People are welcome to borrow these donated seeds, but their productivity cannot be assured.
To launch the seed library initiative, we have arranged some workshops and talks for beginner and more experienced growers, as well as some Seed Exchange ‘Sowcials’ & Film Screenings.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the library newsletter here to keep up to date on what is happening throughout the gardening year and our hashtag #kildareseedlibrary on our social media channels.
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