There’s a new library in town, with no time limits or late fees—and whatever you check out literally nourishes you, mind and body. The seasonal seed library is returning to the Walla Walla Public Library, with over 40 varieties of vegetables and herbs available to anyone with a library card and a desire to grow something—no green thumb required. Beginning March 11, library-goers can take home up to 5 seed packets to help start a personal vegetable, herb, or flower garden. Library displays will provide how-to sheets with tips for getting started with your seeds and of course, lots and lots of gardening books. There’s also links to free Washington State University Extension Office publications available on the Walla Walla Public Library website at wallawallapuliclibrary.org. All seeds are non-GMO varieties from Adaptive Seeds or Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. Starting seeds is a great way to celebrate the changing of the seasons, especially for families ready to introduce their children to the joys of growing a garden. The Faculty of Public Health, the professional body for public health specialists in the U.K., reports many benefits to children who participate in growing their own food, including building skills in science and employability, as well as “food empathy,” or a deeper connection to food that results in a better diet. 

Lindsay Tebeck, Library Technician at Walla Walla Public Library, first conceived of a Seed Library after taking on a plot in the Rees and Sumach Community Garden several years ago. As she became more interested in where her food was coming from and how it was grown, her interest in issues of food security and community engagement with food production grew as well. A freelance illustrator, Tebeck’s work has been featured in articles and exhibitions that explore the relationship between people, what we eat, and food production. “The library is a community hub where we can do all kinds of things… where people come together to explore new ideas. I’d seen other libraries with all kinds of unusual and interesting collections, including seeds for checkout, and I wanted to do that here,” she said, noting also that in communities across the U.S., libraries can be incubators for low-cost community initiatives like seed sharing. Traditional seed libraries ask gardeners to return home-grown seeds from the crops they produce, but not the Walla Walla Public Library. “We don’t have the capacity to accept home grown seeds,” said Library Director Erin Wells, though the library can accept donations of seed packets which are store bought, marked, and sealed.  

More information about all upcoming programs at the Walla Walla Public Library is available at www.wallawallapubliclibrary.org, on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WWPL99362/ or by calling (509) 527-4550.