ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — As gardeners throughout the Quad Cities get ready to plant for the season, the Rock Island Library has a resource that can help bring some extra green to your soil. And even better, this is one library where you don't have to bring back what you take!
On Tuesday, March 12, library officials announced that their Seed Library is open for the season. Packets of seeds that can grow into vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers are all available for anyone to check out. Visitors can take home five seed packets per month, and the seeds are available free of charge. You don't need a library card to take seeds, but there is a lending book "borrowers" are asked to fill out to keep track of the seeds.
Beyond just the seeds, there's also an Illinois Growing Guide available for gardeners to review at the library. That guide can also be accessed online here.
"My favorite feature of the Seed Library is that it is open to anyone who visits our library," Anna Campbell with the Rock Island Public Library said. "This resource is also intended for all levels of experience, so whether you are an aspiring or experienced gardener, we have something for you in our Seed Library!"
According to library officials, the downtown branch has the largest selection of seeds. However, the southwest and Watts-Midtown branches will also have themed bundles of seeds available. These themed batches will help gardeners grow ingredients for cooking, pizza toppings, tea leaves and more. The bundles can be checked out just like any other seeds, but families are limited to a single bundle every month.
For information about donating saved seeds to the Seed Library, please call the Reference Desk, at 309-732-7341, or visit the Reference Desk at the Downtown Library.
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