The Sundre Municipal Library remains committed to offering members an opportunity to grow more than knowledge.
For the third year in a row, the facility’s staff with volunteer support have made available a seed library featuring a variety of plants including flowers and vegetables.
Jamie Syer, library manager, said the seeds have been available since early April. But because of the late start to spring, the program had only really started to pick up a bit later in early May, he said.
“So far this year, we have loaned 514 packages of seeds” to about 80 patrons, he said early on in the program offering.
“That’s already more than previous years.”
The number of seed packages handed out has increased to close to 900 in recent weeks.
“Now that it’s feeling like spring, lots of folks are coming in.”
There are some 20 kinds of edibles as well as approximately 15 different ornamentals to choose from, he said.
“We’ve got a really good selection.”
Volunteer Susan Bentley, who Syer describes as a “super gardener,” plays a pivotal role in sorting, preparing and making available the majority of the seeds. She also provides some growing tips and is available to chat at the library on Tuesday mornings, he said.
“Susan keeps working on this as long as people are borrowing the seeds.”
Like so many of the programs the library offers, the seed library is dependent on volunteers who are keen to contribute, he said.
Next to the display featuring the seeds at the library’s front desk is an assortment of books that explain not only the varieties of plants but also how to get them growing as well as caring for them through to maturity, he said, adding that pages can be copied and there are other books on gardening also available in the library that can be checked out.
Provided a person has a library membership card — which is available at no cost — all of the seeds are free to those who are interested, he said.
“Take the seeds you want — the only thing we ask in return is to take pictures of the final product and send them back the library.”
The seed library typically lasts until the end of May and is a part of the library’s mission to do more than just loan books, he said.
“This is one example of how we’re expanding and how the library is involved with the community and contributing back to the community.”
The seed library seems like a great way to get the spring season started, and the program has received a great response from patrons, he said.
“We feel it’s a win for everybody.”
