The Indianapolis Public Library's Seed Library, a service that allows patrons to check out and take home a large variety of free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, returns to several Indianapolis Public Library locations from Mid-March through September 2023.

"Since the pandemic, there has been a growing interest in gardening," said Jill Edwards, adult programming specialist at The Indianapolis Public Library. "People are eager to try their hand at growing their own food. This service allows patrons to try gardening for the first time, or for the first in a long time."

The Library launched its first Seed Library at the Glendale Branch in 2014. Today, the program has expanded to 19 branch locations and the bookmobile and includes a collection of seeds designed to address issues of food equity while being inclusive of diverse diets and cooking styles. This year, The Library has seed calendars available at our branch locations to help patrons determine the best time to plant various types of seeds and perform specific gardening tasks.

Patrons can check out seeds at Beech Grove, College Avenue, Decatur, East 38th Street, East Washington, Garfield Park, Glendale, Haughville, Lawrence, Nora, Pike, Southport, Spades Park, West Perry, Franklin Road, Martindale-Brightwood, Warren, Wayne, West Indianapolis, and the Bookmobile with their Library card.

In addition, every Seed Library location will have gardening-related programming to educate interested patrons. Upcoming programs include an online story time of the book Miss Annette's Little Farm in the Big City, the West Perry Gardening Group, and the Martindale-Brightwood Library Garden.

Converting seeds from bulk orders to small seed packets couldn't have been completed without the assistance of over 150 community volunteers, including volunteers from corporations such as Salesforce, Clif Bar, New Hope of Indiana, Believe Circle City High School, IUPUI student groups, and many Master Gardeners and individuals.

For more information about the Seed Library and for a list of available seeds, stop by your nearest branch or learn more at indypl.org/seeds.