As the air gets warmer, flowers start to bloom and restrictions ease, one community member wants to increase foot traffic at her local library and get people in the door.

Laura Stewart, a volunteer at the Quyon Library has set up a seed library. She has collected a stockpile of seeds, everything from vegetables to flowers and herbs. The idea is . . .

community members can stop by the library and borrow as many seeds as they want and if they happen to have extra by the end of the season, they return them so someone else can enjoy the extra cucumber seeds or squash that were not grown, she explained.

You do not need a library card to participate, and you do not have to be from the Pontiac, it is free of cost and open to everyone and anyone wishing to get their green thumb.

“The whole idea of the seed library is obviously increasing people’s interest in gardening,” said Stewart

It started off with an idea and in order to compile a stock of seeds, she emailed half a dozen seed companies across Canada. She got lucky with one company called the incredible Seed Company from Nova Scotia that sent her about $115 worth of seeds, she said with awe.

For Stewart, the idea started with a personal love of gardening, but grew into wanting to increase community engagement and drive residents to the library. “It’s kind of a no-brainer book library seed library,” said Stewart

Glenda Nitschke, head librarian, echoed the sentiment of bringing the community together. “We hope to attract more people into the library,” she said.

She added that it’s a great opportunity for people to share their own experiences with gardening and talk, she felt that since covid people have felt alone and with this community initiative both Nitschke and Stewart hope to drive members of the community into the library again.

Stewart believes this initiative will encourage anyone who is a gardener or wants to start a small garden to stop by and try their hand at it. “If it doesn’t work this year, come back and try again next year.”

In addition, she explained that co-owner of Mountainview Turf, Lindsay Hamilton, has also agreed to provide an information session once the program lifts off and talk to people about gardening as she runs her own garden centre.

She also invites anyone with seeds to donate them to the library and help grow the collection. People can come by during library hours or drop them off at the book receptacle. “It’s going to take a couple of years to probably get established, but I’ve got a really good base right now,” said Stewart

“It’s a very simple premise, with potentially really big returns. It’s just like the roots they can really spread,” said Stewart.

The library is open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m and on Thursday from 6 p.m to 8:30 p.m.

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