Planting seeds in your community. Literally.

The Abilene Public Library could not be happier to announce that our seed library is open.

It took weeks of planning and hard work from staff and volunteers. The process has taught us a lot, and all of that knowledge will be used to help grow and improve the seed library. Hopefully, it will be a collection that will benefit the community for years to come.

The seed collection is intended to help introduce the joys of gardening on a small scale with an initial, limited selection of seeds. Our goal is to include even more seed varieties as the success of it grows.

Currently, we are offering mostly vegetable seeds - beans, lettuce and radishes. Our selection of herbs includes basil, marjoram and thyme. Fruit lovers will find cantaloupe and watermelon. Flowers seeds will make an appearance in the future so keep checking our catalog.

Yes, you can search our catalog for seeds. Head to https://www.abilenetx.gov/apl, and click on the icon for our catalog. Instead of "Everything" search "Abilene Public Library Only". In the "All Fields" dropdown, select "Call Number." Then type "seed library" in the search box. Browse the pages of results to see which varieties we currently have in stock.

If you don't see what you are looking for, let us know. We take suggestions.

To borrow seeds, visit the basement at the downtown library and look for the Seed Library sign. Each library card in good standing may borrow up to three seed packets per season. Take the seeds selected and your library card to the information services desk to borrow. By lending the packets we are able to track inventory so that we know which categories need to be restocked and other statistics that help us keep our collection responsive to your needs.

You do not have to return the seed packets. If you would like to give back the empty envelopes, we will recycle them. At the end of each season, the items will be removed from all patron records so that they can borrow more.

The seeds that have proven popular are the many varieties of peppers available. We have Craig's Grande Jalapeño, Lemon Drop Pepper, Cubanelle Pepper and others. They represent several heat intensities on the Scoville scale. Peppers can be stuffed and baked, made into salsa or even dried into pepper flakes.

At present, the library can accept donations of seeds in sealed retail packets. However, we encourage everyone with a garden to save any seeds leftover after harvesting is done for the year. They can be useful in many ways. Harvested seeds can be planted in your garden the following season. Also, some of our patrons have also discussed trading seeds with one another via our Facebook page.

So, reach out to other seed savers in the community, it's a great way to make new friends and increase the diversity of your garden. It also allows more seasoned gardeners to share their knowledge with newbies.

We would love to answer any questions you might have about the collection and how it works. Just call the service desk at 325-676-6025. Nothing quite compares to seeing a seed you have planted grow into a seedling and then a productive plant providing fresh, healthy items to supplement your pantry or flowers to beautify your yard.

We hope that everyone with even the tiniest amount of curiosity will stop by and at least browse the seeds available. You might just find yourself walking out of the library with a new hobby.