PCPL requesting input for possible seed library

Putnam County Public Library has another project in mind to continue expanding services, but community input is needed.

Conni Wrightsman, who works the circulation desk, said there is a survey available online and a paper survey available at the library with three short questions to determine if the seed library is feasible. The survey asks if the patron would be interested in participating in the seed library, if interested in volunteering and to include contact information.

Wrightsman said she saw the idea in a magazine article. She was further inspired to bring the idea to the library when she started working on her own garden this year and took into account the expense of planting a garden.

"I work the circulation desk and I see so many gardening books go out," Wrightsman added.

While the exact details will not be worked out until the "fact finding" phase is completed and a committee is subsequently formed, Wrightsman said the idea is to have a few varieties of plants available in the library to use. She explained this would be based on a trust system where participants would "check out" the seeds with the understanding they replace the seeds at the end of the season.

"If we got the program off the ground we would have a seed saving program to teach people how to save the seeds," Wrightsman said, adding this would potentially be a part of the gardening series currently hosted by Barbara Timm.

Once the library determines if this a feasible idea a committee will be formed, which she said will hopefully include a local gardening club. But, the library would like to have information to take to the gardening club to show the program will be worthwhile.

Wrightsman said the program will need volunteers to help with cataloging the seeds and keeping a record of where seeds go and when they are returned.

The seed library is one of the many programs geared toward the Outside the Lines initiative, a week long celebration in September to demonstrate the innovation happening in libraries.

"The library isn't just a place to check your email and get books. We still do those things, but we also do so much more," Wrightsman said.

To participate in the survey, visit the Putnam County Public Library or click here.