Growing community with a Seed Library
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The University Libraries is growing something new for the Western community—a free seed library for students, employees and community members to grow herbs, flowers, native plants and vegetables at home. The Seed Library in Waldo Library debuted in April with over 1,000 packets of 57 seed varieties. By the end of the growing season, only a handful of butternut squash and milkweed seeds remained—a rousing success for its first year at Western.
“The response from our community, including attention from media from around the region, far exceeded our expectations,” says Mary O’Kelly, associate dean for education and user services. “It showed us that there is a deep interest in reconnecting with nature, whether it’s by growing a little of our own food or creating a small new habitat for butterflies. Every bit makes a difference.”
Seed libraries may be especially helpful to new gardeners or growers with limited space, such as those living in dorms or apartments. Instead of purchasing more seeds than they have space to grow, they can take a small quantity of seeds from the Seed Library cabinet located on Waldo Library’s first floor.
There's something incredibly rewarding about sitting down to a meal with food you grew yourself, even if it's just simple lettuce and herbs from a kitchen windowsill.
O’Kelly worked with a passionate team of supporters to collect free seed donations and package them to be shared with community growers, who are encouraged to save seeds and donate them back in the fall.
Some seed libraries struggle to restock their supply with only seed-saving and donations from community members. At Western, the Seed Library received numerous donations from growers, including Gibbs House and the Office for Sustainability. Western’s landscaping team donated bags upon bags of native plant seeds gathered from across campus, including brown-eyed Susans, the inspiration for Western’s school colors.
In addition, University Libraries has joined the Kalamazoo Seed Collaborative, teaming up with Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Portage Public Library to share resources and seeds. The Collaborative is focused on “encouraging the Kalamazoo community to grow, with free seeds and seed stories.” Education, community and, of course, seeds are the driving forces behind this collaboration.
“Seed libraries are intended to support sustainable agriculture, build social systems around food security, and share cultural knowledge about food sources and traditional gardening practices,” O’Kelly adds.
Seed libraries have grown extensively in public libraries over the past decade. In 2023, there were over 200 libraries in the Michigan Seed Library Network’s “One Seed, One State” program, but only a few were housed at universities.
Libraries are natural homes for seed libraries due to their ability to organize, preserve and facilitate access to resources—even something unique as a packet of radish seeds.
In addition to providing seeds, the University Libraries has curated numerous resources to help new gardeners get started. Educational programming on seed saving and native plants will also be offered later this year with support from the Kalamazoo Seed Collaborative.
“We’re growing our campus collaborations this year to include the Office for Sustainability, the WMU Finch Greenhouse, and the Department of Biological Sciences, in addition to our founding partnership with Landscape Services.”
The Libraries’ seed volunteers are currently cleaning, sorting and processing donated seeds into individual packets for the 2025 growing season. The Seed Library cabinet will reopen in late February for growers who like to start their seeds indoors. Everyone in the Kalamazoo community is welcome to stop by Waldo Library and pick up seeds to start growing at home.
“Our whole community is welcome to stop by and see what we have to offer. Please remember to save seeds from your garden this year and consider giving back so we can continue this service for years to come,” O’Kelly adds.
Using the Seed Library
The Seed Library will be restocked and ready for visitors on Feb. 24, 2025. Everyone is welcome to use it. The seed cabinet is located on Waldo Library’s first floor. Turn right at the main lobby.
Please take only what you will plant and no more than five packets at a time. You are welcome to return for additional seeds as needed.
Visit our Seed Library webpage for more information.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.