Cabinets of Curiosity
Seed libraries across SLO County invite garden exploration and fun.
Story and Photography by Erica J. Thatcher
Remember those old wooden card catalog cabinets from the school library? Well, they’re back –and with a lot more charm. Public libraries across the country are repurposing them as seed libraries that hold small packets of seeds for gardening enthusiasts to sample, at no cost.
Seed libraries can be found locally in San Luis Obispo County, too. Nine of the 14 County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries offer a selection of seeds for organic herbs, seasonal vegetables, flowers and native plants.
It’s way more fun to pull out the wooden catalog drawers these days. Instead of flipping through faded subject cards with mysterious library lingo, visitors can thumb through small gold paper packets of seeds that inspire imagination and curiosity. Johnny Jump Ups, California poppies, calendula, marjoram, Love in the Mist — for those unsure how to grow what’s inside the envelope, don’t worry. Each packet is labeled with a photo and growing instructions.
Look for the quaint vintage cabinets in Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Santa Margarita, Shell Beach, Shandon and San Luis Obispo libraries. Borrowers are not expected to exchange seeds from their own gardens. Like other library offerings, the seed library program is intended to be a risk-free way to try something new.
Antoinette Padgett manages the seed library at the Los Osos Library; she has a specific approach to helping curious people try their hand at gardening. “I personally try to push the native plant seeds,” she explains. “Getting beneficial insects and animals into gardens is so important.” She also likes to guide people to the native plants garden right outside the front door of the library. “You can see the seed library in action there,” she says. The Los Osos Valley Garden Club manages the garden that attracts plenty of butterflies and bees.
The seed libraries program started in 2018, but Antoinette says the pandemic years really boosted participation at all locations. “People had time to garden. It was hard to keep the cabinets stocked,” she recalls.
The collections prioritize organic and heirloom seeds bought from a certified vendor. Libraries once operated a true exchange model where people contributed their saved seeds, but it was decided it was better to buy seeds to make sure they were organic, and not duds.
Chelsea Cutler stocks the seed library at the San Luis Obispo Library. “Every library does it a little differently, but we all use a checkout sheet.” The libraries report between fifty and one hundred people each month using the seeds.
Seed libraries give people the opportunity to be part of a resilient and sustainable community, explains San Luis Obispo Library’s Dorothy Gruett, who leads a countywide library sustainability committee. “The seed libraries incorporate the teachable concepts of food sustainability, food security, the importance of native plantings and the wellness of the planet,” she says. The American Library Association identified sustainability as a core value of librarianship in 2019.
Dorothy thinks the seed libraries and adjacent events are among the most popular ongoing programs that the library offers. Hundreds of people checked out seeds and attended gardening events at libraries across San Luis Obispo County in 2023. The Morro Bay Library alone had over 550 participants, including a group of 4-H club members who sorted and packaged seeds for the library as part of a volunteer project.
It’s fun to see kids get in on the action, says Dorothy, adding: “Seeds fuel family creativity and learning by doing. It can be used to demo math, poetry, journaling, history and science.”
Chelsea has also witnessed generational connections form over seeds. “A grandmother reported that she and her granddaughter transplanted the seedlings that they grew from our seeds. It was their bonding time,” she shares.
Santa Margarita Library Manager Tracey Montelongo has also received positive feedback about the seeds. “One of our patrons has grown a spectacular garden from our seeds. He’s very excited about it,” she says, noting that he shared with her photos of giant basil and pepper plants, corn and California poppies.
Together, Tracey and Dorothy launched a thriving community garden at the Shandon Library using seeds from the seed libraries, and inspired kids and adults to pitch in at a grand opening gardening event. For those feeling inspired, the folks at the libraries hope community members also try their other gardening resources.
The Shandon Library lends tools ranging from shovels and wheelbarrows, to electric trimmers and hedgers. Libraries regularly host lectures from the Master Gardeners of SLO County and local nurseries with expert advice about gardening with natives, pollinators, succulents and pest management.
Seed and plant swap events at the libraries are also popular with gardening enthusiasts. Hundreds of people shared cuttings, seeds and plants at Los Osos Library’s swap events in June and July of 2024. “We never have any plants left at the end of the day,” says Antoinette. And for more garden inspiration, a library card also opens the door to free passes to the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.
Dorothy’s not surprised the enthusiasm continues to grow – playing in the dirt is just plain fun. “It’s a feast for the senses: the feel of the soil, the smell of the flowers, the beauty of new life,” she explains.
And, please, don’t forget the books: A library card grants access to hundreds of recently published gardening guides. Those pursuing a garden-to-table growing system can enjoy the bounty using ideas from the library’s collection of beautiful cookbooks. Visit the library’s website to browse and reserve books to pick up at your favorite library.
No card catalog search required.
A library card is free. Visit SLOLibrary.org to browse gardening books and for more information about membership, locations and gardening events.
