Folks of a certain age might quickly recognize the card dividers and look from today’s photo of the week.
It’s a drawer from the Westland Public Library Seed Library, where anyone can borrow seeds provided from community members.
Yes, it looks like a library card catalog.
Before the days of digital information, libraries used card catalogs in cabinets (often wooden cabinets) as the primary way for people to find books, magazines, and other library materials on 3×5 inch index cards.
Having worked in public, university, grade school, and middle school libraries, I’m very familiar with card catalogs.
Side note: years ago I worked in the cataloguing departments at the Ann Arbor Public Library and University of Michigan Undergraduate Library.
I have lots of memories of card catalogs, adding new cards, re-organizing cards, and yes, typing up new cards for recently received library materials.
Seed Catalogs vs. Card Catalogs
What’s different about seed libraries in the familiar card catalog format (for some people) is:
- Anyone can borrow seeds, no identification or library account needed
- Instead of a book, you borrow a small envelope filled with anywhere from five to dozens of seeds to grow your own food/flowers
- Many seeds, but not all, are heirloom varieties you won’t find in traditional seed catalogs
- Plant name, how to plant, and year of seed collection is often printed on the envelope
- You don’t have to return any seeds, but you’re encouraged to collect your own seeds and contribute them to continue the seed library
The Westland Public Library has an extensive seed library collection, a five-foot tall black cabinet with several drawers filled with vegetable and flower seeds.
As well as a collection of native plant seeds from plants grown in southeast Michigan.
Here are the seeds I borrowed this week:
I only learned about seed libraries recently, but discovered we have several in our area. And around the world.
If you want to learn more about seed libraries, check out the Seed Library Network. And visit their map to find a seed library near you.
Can’t find one in your area? You can start your own seed library!
