Scottsboro Public Library opens new seed library offering free garden seeds to local growers
Story By Katie Hightower
Last week, the Scottsboro Public Library announced the opening of its first seed library. The new addition to the library’s services will give local aspiring growers the opportunity to receive free seeds for their gardens. The library will have 120 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and area wildflower seeds.
Library employee Caroline Whitton came up with the idea to start a seed library. She said she enjoyed indoor gardening at home, and when library patrons asked for a seed library, she knew she had to make it happen. Whitton reached out to other local libraries with seed gardens for help, and they gave tips. She was both excited and nervous about the opening.
“We already have people asking for seeds,” Whitton said. “Our post on social media already has a lot of engagement.”
Darya Baeva, a Northeast Alabama Community College student, was completing her work study at the Scottsboro Public Library and got involved with the seed library. Prior to her work with the seed library, she loved gardening and preserving biodiversity. Baeva reached out to various companies for donations with Whitton, like Burpee and Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company.
Before long, they received shipments of seeds to sort. Whitton went right to work and built several spreadsheets to catalog the wide variety of seeds. Baeva was especially excited about the wildflower seeds.
“They help monarch butterflies,” she said.
The group decided to use the old card catalog to organize the seeds. The library’s card catalog was retired in 1989, but it was still used for many years following its retirement. The seed library gave the catalog a new purpose. Special envelopes were ordered for the seeds to fit into the card catalog’s tiny drawers. Abby Allen spent a lot of time repacking seeds into the brown envelopes with labels that marked each species and listed basic planting instructions.
Pat Chandler, a longtime employee of the library, offered a lot of ideas for the seed library. Her boys were farmers, and as farmers, the Jackson Farmers Co-Op was a major resource for them. She suggested reaching out to the co-op for a donation. The Jackson Farmers Co-Op made a huge donation of seeds to the library.
“We are so thankful to the Jackson Farmers Co-Op for their contribution. It just means so much to the community.”
Other donors to the cause included Phillip Thompson and Eden Brothers. Scottsboro Public Library Director Jared Dovers said the library is grateful for the support.
“We’re very grateful to everyone who has donated seeds to our seed library. We’re excited to try new things at the library and look forward to feedback from the community,” Dovers said. “If this seed library is something the community wants, we will plan to do it again next year even bigger and better.”
“It’s a really good idea,” said Martha Avans, a library employee. “I know a lot of people who would like to garden but can’t afford the seeds. This is a way for them to get some seeds and get started.”
The seeds will be available for pickup at the Scottsboro Public Library from Feb. 17 through July 1, or while supplies last, during regular business hours. No library card will be required for seed pickup. Patrons will be limited to three packs of seeds per visit. The public is welcome to enjoy this gardening opportunity.
