Seed Library

About the Seed Library
A seed library is a place where beginner or experienced gardeners can borrow seeds, and return seeds back for others to plant and harvest. The benefits to GVSU and the greater community include, but are not limited to:
- Promote sustainable agriculture
- Increase access to fresh, nutritious food
- Increase local biodiversity
- Educate the community on growing food and other plants
Location
The Seed Library is located in the Mary Idema Pew Library on the 1st floor across from the Service Desk. There you will find a card catalogue housing an ever-changing variety of seeds, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.
Take what you will plant
You’re welcome to take up to (5) packets per visit, per day. This allows seeds to be available for as many people as possible.
Seed Donations
Do you have seeds you’d like to donate to the Seed Library? We’re excited and eager to accept donations throughout the year!
After placing each variety in a separate bag or envelope, visit the Mary Idema Pew Library Service Desk to receive a Donation Form for each variety. Please fill the form out to the best of your ability and leave the form and seeds at the Service Desk or in the basket near the Seed Library cabinet.
Need a Garden Plot?
Seed Library brought to you in partnership with GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project. Need a place to grow your seeds? Register for a spot in their Community Garden!
Education
Our friends at the Western Michigan University Libraries have an amazing Seed Library that we admire so much. They’ve been working passionately on their Seed Library for several years now and that includes an extensive collection of educational resources on a variety of topics, including Starting Seeds, Michigan and Planting Zones, Gardening Basics, and so much more! We encourage you to start there.
Additional resources
Questions about the GVSU Seed Library? Send an email to library@gvsu.edu and we’ll get back to you!