Seed Libraries at Public Libraries Are Growing
https://www.almanac.com/seed-libraries-public-libraries-are-growing
Seed libraries are growing, especially in public libraries! Find a seed library near you https://www.communityseednetwork.org/map/ and learn how a seed library works…
So yeah. This REALLY pisses me off! I have friends who work for the #MaineStateLibrary. Grrrrr....
Maine State Library issues layoffs, cites inability to access federal funding
The Maine State Library announced Wednesday 13 staff members, whose positions are supported by federal funding, were laid off.
April 9, 2025
"The Maine State Library announced layoffs on Wednesday, citing an ongoing inability to access federal funding.
"The announcement comes after President Donald #Trump signed an executive order in March deeming the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) 'unnecessary' and slated to be dismantled, later placing the entire agency's staff on administrative leave.
"The Maine State Library said in a news release that IMLS funding represents 30 percent of its annual budget and has not received any communication from IMLS on if or when funding might be restored.
"The state library said it last received funds from its 2025 federal award advance through the IMLS on March 24.
"Thirteen employees whose positions are supported by federal funding have been laid off, the state library said. Those employees represent approximately 30 percent of Maine State Library staff.
"The Maine State Library said the layoffs could be rescinded if funding is restored.
"Starting on Thursday, the Maine State Library will close for a two-week reorganization period where its location at 242 State St. in Augusta will not be open to the public.
"'Losing access to this Federal funding harms Maine residents and will have negative consequences in communities across the state," Maine State Librarian #LoriFisher said in the release. 'Despite these significant cuts, the Maine State Library remains committed to advancing the mission of libraries in Maine and to serving every library patron to the best of our ability.'
"In 2024, the Maine State Library says it received $1,526,754 from the #IMLS Library Services and Technology Act Grants to States program which supports services including #HighSpeedInternet for public libraries; #InterlibraryLoans, #EBooks, and #audiobooks; services for #VisuallyImpaired patrons; and professional development for library staff.
"The library says it is continuing to evaluate the range of impacts on library services from the funding cuts and hopes to provide further updates as they become available.
"Following Trump's executive order, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey joined 20 other attorneys general in a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from dismantling a handful of agencies, including the IMLS."
Free #SeedLibraries in #Minnesota
Story by Thrifty Minnesota, March 6, 2025
"Free seed libraries are a great way to get seeds to start your garden and learn more about gardening in the process. Here is our list of free seed libraries throughout Minnesota!:"
Learn more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/parks/free-seed-libraries-in-minnesota/ar-AA1An9Dv
#SeedLibrary #SeedSharing #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #SeedSharing #Gardening #FoodSecurity
"It’s a good time to once again promote the [#Global] Seed Library Map.
https://www.seedlibrarynetwork.org/explore-the-map.html
"On the same site, you can also find information on starting your own seed library, organizing a seed swap, etc."
Original post:
https://kolektiva.social/@urbanmicrofarmer@zirk.us/113999764238880911
#SeedLibrary #SeedLibraries #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #Gardening #FoodSecurity #SeedSwaps
#NorthCarolina: #DareCounty’s free #SeedLibraries are ready for #SpringPlanting
March 6, 2025
"According to the Dare County Extension Master Gardeners, it’s time to start propagating seeds, and if you’re in search of some special seeds to get you started this season, the Dare County Library has you covered with its free Seed Libraries program.
"Thanks to generous donations made by Burpee Seeds, Sow True Seed, Seed Savers Exchange and Lowe’s Home Improvement, the Dare County Library’s Seed Libraries are fully stocked and ready for 2025 spring planting.
"The Seed Libraries are free to the public, and are available at all three Dare County Library locations, including #HatterasVillage.
"Launched in 2022 as a means to share seeds in communities with #FoodSecurity issues, the Dare County Library’s Seed Library program provides a variety of vegetable, herb, flower and plant seeds that can be 'checked out' from all three Dare County Library branches with the intention of growing them locally.
"Growing instruction cards are available to assist with every type of seed, and a live inventory can be found in the online Seed Library guide.
"After the plant has matured, growers are encouraged to harvest and donate some of their seeds back, thus making the Seed Library truly local and sustainable.
"The long-term goal of the Seed Library is to give locals access to plant varieties that grow and thrive on the #OuterBanks while also providing the knowledge needed to maintain kitchen gardens and reduce household overhead.
"A mix of commercially and locally harvested seeds are available year-round, with types and quantities varying based on supply. A variety of new seeds will also be introduced this year, including celery seed, cowpeas and mustard seeds, among others.
"In addition, the Seed Libraries currently have new varieties of several old favorites, such as three new types of basil, as well as carrots and an array of different lettuces to make the perfect salad—plus so much more.
"For additional information about the Seed Library program, please stop by your local branch or visit https://earlibrary.libguides.com/DareCountyLibrarySeedLibrary
Source:
https://islandfreepress.org/hatteras-island-features/dare-countys-free-seed-libraries-are-ready-for-spring-planting/
#SeedLibrary #SeedSharing #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule! #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #Gardening #FoodSecurity
Alrighty then! Join me next week for another #SolarPunkSunday! TY to @MaQuest for participating, and @rewildingmag, @Lazarou and @hydroponictrash for posting some great articles! If you have topics or stories you'd like me to cover, please let me know!
#rewilding #RepairCafes #DeGrowth #SolarPunk #NatureBasedLearning #sustainability #SeedLibraries #LibraryOfThings #BuildingCommunity #BuildingForClimateChange etc!
#ExeterSeedBank's #SeedSwap will be on Sunday 2 March, 11 – 2pm, at the Positive Light Projects, Sidwell St, #Exeter, EX46RD https://www.exeterseedbank.co.uk/events/exeter-seed-swap-25
Booking links for individual talks in the following post.
TY to @MaQuest for this excellent #SolarPunkSunday suggestion -- #SeedySunday! A great way to celebrate #Imbolc / #Imbolg and the return of the light (well, here in the Northern Hemipshere).
Seedy Sunday – seed swap & sale
"Seedy Sunday in Brighton and Hove is the UK’s biggest and longest-running community seed swap event. From 2025, the #FoodPartnership will be taking on the running of this much-loved community event."
Seedy Sunday details for 2025:
Sunday February 2nd, 2025
10am to 4pm
Brighton Open Market
Marshalls Row
Brighton BN1 4JU
https://bhfood.org.uk/seedy-sunday/
#SeedSwapping #SeedSwap #England #BrightonUK #SeedLibraries
To heck with #BigAg!
Thu Feb 27th 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Center for an Ecology-Based Economy, 447 Main St, Norway, ME 04268, USA
"Join us for our annual seed swap! Bring seeds to share if you have them, but feel free to come even if you don't have any - we'll have plenty to share. We'll also have seed starting calendars and gardening books to lend. Scott Vlaun will give a short presentation about seed saving basics, and as a community, we’ll discuss starting a local seed library. We’ll also have some #scions to swap and offer a tutorial on #grafting onto #rootstock." |
https://tockify.com/ecology/detail/1099/1740691800000
#MaineSeedSwaps #SolarPunkSunday #SeedLibraries #Gardening #GardeningTechniques #StartingASeedLibrary #CenterForEcologyBasedEconomy
#SeedLibraries Are Sprouting Up Around the Pine Tree State
#Maine libraries have added seed “borrowing” to their growing list of resources.
By Nora Saks, Downeast Magazine, April 2024
"Among the study tables and the stacks of books and the periodical reading rooms, at public libraries from North Berwick to Milbridge to Bangor, seeds have suddenly taken root in the catalog — often quite literally, with the drawers of stately old card catalogs now used for little packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. Whether green-thumbed or plain old green, anyone can drop by for some free garden fodder, which is usually donated by community members, Maine seed companies (like #Johnnys and #Fedco), and garden centers.
"Seed libraries took off early in the pandemic, as many people turned their attention to tending their homes and gardens. Now, libraries tend to pair seed lending with how-to programming, often in partnership with local garden clubs. Some libraries also encourage 'borrowers' to save seeds from their crop and then drop them off at the end of the growing season, but that’s not a requirement (and there are no late fees).
"Lisa Ladd, director of Bucksport’s Buck Memorial Library, sees seeds fitting nicely into libraries’ broader mission to make knowledge and resources accessible to the public. 'As libraries continue to evolve, we’re always looking for ways to meet the community outside of our walls and offer programs that touch different ages and all walks of life...'"
More information (including a list of seed libraries):
https://downeast.com/home-and-garden/maine-seed-libraries/
