Skip to Main Content

University Library

LibGuides

Seed Libraries Research Guide: Home

A guide to finding information on seed libraries.

 

Seed Library at the San Jose Public Library, Barissa California. Uploaded by user sanjoselibrary under CC 2.0.

Meeting at the Portal-Rodeo Seed Library at the Myrtle Kraft Library in Portal, Arizona. Uploaded by user karenandbrademerson under CC 2.0.

Seed Library at the University of San Francisco. Uploaded by user davidsilver under CC 2.0.

 

Introduction

A seed library is a place where community members can get seeds for free or for a nominal fee and is run for the public benefit (Seed Libraries network of seed lending libraries).

A "seed library" is form of community-based storing and exchanging of seeds. Related community-based activities include seed swaps and seed saving. Seed libraries and related community seed saving/sharing activities focus around local gardening.  Community seed libraries differ in organization, operation, and funding from seed repositories (e.g., the Crop Trust's  Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Kew Gardens' Millennium Seed Bank, International Rice Research Institute's International Rice Genebank) which focus on long-term preservation of plant species and crop biodiversity in the form of seed.

This guide suggests resources appropriate for research on community seed libraries and seed sharing.

How to...

Profile Photo
Funk ACES Library
Contact:
200 ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center
1101 S. Goodwin, MC-633
Urbana, IL 61801
Reference Desk: 217-244-2249
Website