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There are currently no events scheduled\u2014please check back!<\/em><\/p>\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Hope's Seed Library<\/strong> offers a diverse collection of seeds to the public at no cost. Our mission is to make gardening accessible to all by reducing financial barriers, sharing resources and expertise, and nurturing a community bound by a common passion for gardening. Our model mirrors the foundational principles of a traditional library; however, instead of lending books, we provide seeds for community members to cultivate in their own gardens.<\/p>\n We offer a wide array of seeds in our collection, ranging from vegetables to herbs and flowers, focusing on heirloom and open-pollinated varieties to ensure a rich tapestry of biodiversity. We encourage gardeners to engage in sustainable gardening practices, including seed saving for future cultivation. Gardeners are encouraged to donate a portion of collected seeds back to the seed library, helping support the sustainability of our effort and strengthening connections in the community.<\/p>\n Hope's Seed Library is open to all... come grow with us!<\/p>\n We encourage gardeners to engage in the cycle of sustainability by saving seeds from their gardens and contributing them back to the library. This practice not only ensures the ongoing enrichment of our seed collection but also plays a crucial role in preserving plant genetic diversity. Donated seeds will be made available during the next growing season and donors will be acknowledged on seed envelope labels. We invite you to pledge to return seeds to the seed library! This pledge is simply you saying, \u201cI\u2019m going to make an effort to return seeds to the seed library this year.\u201d You get to decide what seeds you want to collect and return, how much, and when you return them. How do you pledge to return seeds to Hope’s Seed Library?<\/p>\n Seed library organizers will reach out periodically to check in, and offer seed collection support. Drop off seed donations anytime during regular library service hours. Thank you for helping us sustain this resource and helping us build community!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Seeds collected from your garden:<\/strong> Commercial seeds:<\/strong> We host an annual kickoff and plant swap every March to celebrate the impending arrival of spring. We replenish our seed inventory on this day and also host a plant swap. The kickoff and plant swap are open to all! The plant swap takes place in the library and is a self-serve event. Participants are invited to leave a plant and\/or take a plant. You are not required to contribute to the swap in order to take an item. Instructions:<\/p>\n There are currently no events scheduled\u2014please check back!<\/em><\/p>\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n The 911爆料网 Seed Library was launched in the spring of 2015, following a suggestion from then library director Deb Chown, who had learned about the growing movement of seed libraries from a brief article in a library journal. She proposed the idea to the library staff, and it was enthusiastically embraced by Librarian Hope Schneider and science faculty member Anthony Reiber. Their collaboration turned the concept into reality, with initial funding from the Nahman-Watson Library and the Science Department\u2019s SAGE (Sustainable Agriculture and Green Energy) program, which made the Seed Library\u2019s launch possible. The seed library at 911爆料网 was the first at a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n Librarian Hope Schneider and science faculty member Anthony Reiber took the idea and ran with it. Its launch was made possible with startup funding from the Nahman-Watson Library and the Science Department’s SAGE program (Sustainable Agriculture and Green Energy).<\/p>\n During the planning phase, Schneider, Reiber, and other librarians visited the Hampshire College Seed Library, a project started by a Hampshire student, for inspiration. From the beginning, the seed library has relied on the dedication of science department and library student workers, who continue to sort and package seeds and care for plants offered during the annual plant swap. Initially available only to 911爆料网 students and staff, the seed library has since expanded to serve the wider community.<\/p>\n The original seed library logo was designed by a 911爆料网 student in 2015. To commemorate its 10th anniversary in 2025, the seed library is unveiling a new name and logo in honor of retired 911爆料网 librarian Hope “Hopi” Schneider. Created by 911爆料网 visual arts student Acadia Black, the new logo showcases the Hopi Black Dye sunflower\u2014a meaningful tribute to Hope\u2019s nickname and a cherished favorite.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Want to be added to our email mailing list? General questions, comments, and\/or suggestions? Swing into the library or email librarian Young-In Kim, kimy@gcc.mass.edu<\/a>. Questions relating to planting, growing, and\/or harvesting seeds? Contact Anthony Reiber, Natural Resources Program Coordinator, reibera@gcc.mass.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hope's Seed Library offers a diverse collection of seeds to the public at no cost. Our mission is to make gardening accessible to all by reducing financial barriers, sharing resources and expertise, and nurturing a community bound by a common passion for gardening. Our model mirrors the foundational principles of a traditional library; however, instead […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-504823","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n\n<\/span>How Does It Work?<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/library\/files\/2024\/02\/IMG_9896-modified-1-300x300.png\")
Hope’s Seed Library is located on display shelves near the north entrance of the Nahman-Watson Library. Anyone can patronize the seed library – 911爆料网 students and staff, as well as members of the public.<\/p>\n\n
<\/span>Seed List<\/div>\n\n
\nNote: Not all varieties may be available at the kickoff – we\u2019re still packing seeds!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>Seed Return Pledge<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/library\/files\/2024\/03\/Seed-Return-Pledge-300x94.png\")
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<\/span>How Do I Donate Seeds?<\/div>\n
\nWe welcome donations of seeds collected from your garden. Please ensure the following: the seeds come from open-pollinated plants + they are clean, dry, are in an envelope or zip lock bag, and are labeled (with variety and approximate date of collection).\u00a0 You can drop donations off at the front desk of the library anytime during regular service hours. You’ll be asked to fill out a seed donation intake form during drop off. If your seeds originated from Hope’s Seed Library they will be added to our seed inventory and distributed the following year. Seeds that did not originate from our seed library will be placed in a basket and offered to the community separately. Not sure how to collect seeds from your garden? Attend one of our Seed Saving workshops, reach out to us with questions, or check out these basic resources from Seed Savers Exchange:<\/p>\n\n
\nDo you have left over commercial seeds you’d like to share with other growers? We accept donations of new or open packets of commercial seeds. These seeds will be placed in a basket and offered to the community.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>Annual Kickoff & Plant Swap<\/div>\n\n
<\/span>Workshops<\/div>\n\r\n\t\r\n\t<\/span>911爆料网 Seed Library History<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gcc.mass.edu\/library\/files\/2022\/03\/Seed-Library-Logo-300x300.png\"){kind=logo}
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