1. Conduct initial assessment
- Does the library have an old card catalog or other means to hold seed envelopes? Here is a 16-drawer card catalog you can purchase.
- Where will the seed library be located within the library?
- Will the library commit limited staff time to support a seed library?
- Will it provide time and space to hold seed processing events?
2. Identify partners
- It is important to have multiple sources of seeds to keep your seed library well-stocked over the long term.
- There are numerous outside partners that can help support the seed library by supplying seeds including:
- Native Plant Society of Texas
- Texas Master Naturalists
- Texas Master Gardeners
- Local gardening groups
- Local community groups
- Reach out to craig.bruska@npsot.org to be connected with a Native Plant Society chapter near you.
3. Create an MOU
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines the roles of the library and the partner group(s)
- E.g., The library provides the space for the seed library, a procedure for seed lending, a process for tracking seed inventories, and staffing to support seed lending and advertising the seed library.
- E.g, The partner will provide seeds in labeled seed packets, growing information for each species,a sufficient assortment of seeds to meet demand, etc.
- See example MOU for Tye Preston Memorial Library and the Native Plant Society of Texas
4. Determine seed lending procedure
- Determine how many seed packets can be “checked” out. e.g., 5 packets per library card, per month.
- Consider a “pay it forward model” – patrons sign a lending agreement and agree if the plant germinates and produces seeds, they will return 10% of the seeds to the seed library.
- Each library may choose to set up their own unique lending rules.
5. Collect & prep seeds
- Host seed processing events at the library in conjunction with a partner organization. Participants will learn about different native seeds and how they are uniquely processed.
- Seeds can be packaged and labeled during these events to be ready for the seed library.
- Holding seed processing events prior to the grand opening of the seed library can help generate buzz. Scheduling them on an ongoing basis helps keep the library consistently stocked.
6. Create seed packet labels
- Use coin-sized envelopes with a printed label to hold the seeds.
- Labels should have the plant’s scientific name, common name, planting instructions, or a link to the plant in the NPSOT Native Plant Database.
- The NPSOT Native Plant Database can also be used to print seed packet labels using the Download menu on every plant.
7. Create library index binder
- Determine how the seeds will be organized in the seed library (e.g., by scientific name or common name).
- Create an index binder so patrons can easily find the different species options available in the seed library. The binder can also contain growing information for each species using plant profiles from the Native Plant Society database.
8. Monitor seed inventory
- Limiting one species per drawer makes identifying out-of-stock species easy. If a drawer is empty, that species is out of stock! No need to track inventory.
- Create a two-sided drawer label with the species name on the front, and a red “out of stock” label on the back.
- Flip the label to “out of stock” until the seed is replenished.
9. Replenish seeds as needed
- Work with partners to host regularly (monthly or bi-monthly) seed processing events.
- Solicit the public for seed donations (ask that they place a single species in a paper bag labeled with the name of the plant, where it was collected and when it was collected).
10. Consider expanding
- Once your native plant seed library is a success, consider expanding to other plants such as vegetables!
- Expand to other branch libraries.
