A unique program has taken root at the Glendale branch of the Indianapolis Public Library: the IndyPL Seed Library, where individuals can learn about growing various foods.

Program coordinator Melissa Wooton explained, "This is our second season. We open in April where patrons can come in and check out seeds, take them home and plant them in their garden."

Mrs. Wooton discussed her involvement with the IndyPL Seed Library. "One of our patrons, Jo Ann Klooz, is a master gardener and a library patron. She came to me in the fall of 2004, asking about a seed co-operative. She was also interested in starting a seed library. To me, it sounded like a good idea and it also sounded like an idea that our patrons would be interested in. By the end of last year, there were 1,568 seeds that people had taken home to plant. We purchased quite a bit of them. We received a small grant from the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation and have a lot of community partners, like Fall Creek Gardens, Purdue Extension and Indy Urban Acres. We also accept donated seed. People seem to like it. We ask people to limit themselves to five seed packets at a time. We're just giving them a chance to try it out. The idea is not to stock anybody's garden, but to let people try to grow their own food. We have master gardeners who volunteer for the program who are from Purdue Extension on hand to answer questions. The program runs from April to October."

Indianapolis Public Library Communications Specialist Jon Barnes said, "It features not only special ongoing programs for gardeners and horticulturists, but also a variety of actual seeds."

According to their website, www.indypl.org/IndyPL_SeedLibrary, the Seed Library is located at the Glendale branch and is free and open to the public. It is available during regular branch hours from late March through October. They provide seeds for check-out as well as education and resources about growing and saving seeds and organic gardening. The vast majority of the seeds are open pollinated. Many of them are also organic or heirloom seeds.

More information can be found about the IndyPL Seeds Library and all related programs, including a seeds growing database and sponsor page.

Future IndyPL Seed Library Master Gardeners Series seminars at the Glendale Branch are scheduled for Saturday, April 23 at 11:30 a.m. and May 14 at 2:00 p.m. A session on "Harvesting & Using Your Herbs" will germinate on August 23 at 6 p.m. People can learn about a variety of topics from Purdue Extension Master Gardeners that will feature the IndyPL Seed Library Resource Fair. A Master Gardener class, "Harvesting & Using your Herbs" is scheduled for Tuesday, August 23 at 6 p.m. Registration is welcome, but not required, by calling 317-274-4410 at the Glendale Branch.