All of our materials are free and available for non-commercial purposes. We’ve put together this helpful guide to get you started on creating a seed library in your community.

Free Download: “The Library of Things Toolkit”

Step 1: Get your people together

Who is going to help you? What are some natural alliances that you can create with other community groups or businesses?

Here are a few ideas to help you get started

• A permaculture guild or transition town initiative
• A local garden club
• Master gardeners
• Libraries or community spaces
• Check to see if there are sister libraries located near you or in a similar bioregion. They may have suggestions or seed saving and library material adapted to your situation.

Step 2: Locate your space

We recommend a well-visited community space. Pick a venue that is frequented by the general public. We chose the main branch of the local public library since it is open to the public, widely used by a broad spectrum of citizens, and the missions of Richmond Grows and the public library dovetail nicely.

Step 3: Acquire library materials

You’ll need a sturdy cabinet for the seeds and, of course, seeds. We recommend getting a wooden cabinet, as you will probably have to put some dividers in the drawers to organize the seeds into rows. The height of the drawers is important as it should be high enough to accommodate a regular-sized seed packet, but not too high as to waste space. A good height for the drawer is about 6 inches.

Additional materials you’ll need:

• Cabinets for seeds
• Seeds! Write to seed companies and explain your project and the community you will be serving. Be sure to include the seed-saving aspect in your letter so you don’t get hybrid seeds. 
• Dividers for different types of seeds (you’ll need around 50 just for the vegetables and fruits).
• Wooden dividers for the drawers (drawers are much wider than seed packets; having dividers creating rows of seeds will keep it more organized).
• Labels for the outside of the drawers and the dividers inside the drawers.
• 1–2 stamps for checking in and out.
• 1–2 stamp pads.
• Donated envelopes for borrowing seeds (don’t use envelopes with open windows).Check local printers for discards. Legal-sized envelopes, sealed with edge taped shut, and then cut in half, are a great size for people returning seeds to the library.
• A ledger (either online or in-person) to keep a record of members checking out and donating/returning seeds.

Step 4: Label your seeds

When you get drawers for your seeds, you will need to label them clearly. The labels serve a dual purpose of helping members find and return seeds easily while educating them about plant families.

Our vegetables are labeled by plant families. We recommend that you put easy-to-save seeds in the upper drawers and difficult ones further down.

Besides labeling the families in each drawer and including some common family members, we also recommend that you clearly label the difficulty of the seeds to be saved. The three categories we use are Super Easy, Easy, and Difficult.

NOTE: All of our labels are for the San Francisco Bay Area. Certain families may be more difficult in your region if you have cold winters. Tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and beans are “super easy” regardless of your climate.

Labels for inside of drawers
1.  Amaranth (Goosefoot) Family
2.  Gourd Family
3.  Grass Family
4.  Lily Family
5.  Mint Family
6.  Mustard Family
7.  Nightshade Family
8.  Parsley Family
9.  Pea Family
10. Sunflower Family
11.  Miscellaneous Edibles

We also have numbers on the drawer and an alphabetized list of common edibles so people can easily find a plant. (Example: Arugula – Drawer 9 – Super Easy). Here is our list along with Spanish translations. If you have a small collection, this will probably not be necessary.

Seed markers – When people check out seeds, it’s helpful to have “seed markers” (kind of like book markers) available for them to stick in the drawers so they can easily return packets where they found them. We had a number of them made on card stock and used a variety of colors so if several people are using the library simultaneously, such as at an orientation, they can keep track of which spaces are theirs by using only one marker color. 

Step 5: Create your brochures

Educating people about seed saving is an essential part of the library. Otherwise, you may get many things that aren’t what they claim to be. Every time we do an orientation, we provide “How to Save Seeds” brochures and refer people to our website for additional resources. Around harvest time, we will also offer some basic seed-saving classes.

We have a “Super easy seed saving brochure.” But there are lots more resources at SeedLibraries.net.

Note: Language access is an important factor to consider when printing brochures. Make sure to have literature available in multiple languages if the linguistic makeup of your community calls for it. We provide brochures in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. 

Step 6: Launch your seed library

One way to launch your seed lending library is to have a seed swap. Be sure to have volunteers who can help new gardeners and seed sharers get started. You can post orientation invitations on local listservs and even invite local officials and press to your grand opening.

Step 7: Host orientations to the library

Orientations help people know how to use the library properly and understand how they can make the library self-sustaining. They can be 30-minute long sessions. Our orientations occur online, with the focus of the orientation including what is the library, how the library is organized, and how to check out seeds.

Share orientation dates and details with neighborhood councils, garden clubs, and other community listservs. You can also reach out to potential attendees through social media. Use Eventbrite, or a similar site, to help promote your event and keep track of registrations.

This guide was taken with permission from the group’s website and originally published in a 2014 Shareable article and updated on January 8, 2025.

Check out Seed Libraries to see a more extensive list of resources to support existing and emerging seed libraries. Join UpBeet! to connect with other seed librarians. Apply to become a sister seed to RGSLL library here. You can also check out Shareable’s comprehensive new guide on starting and growing a Library of Things.

The post How to launch your own seed lending library appeared first on Shareable.

Step 1: Get Your People Together

Who is going to help you? What are some natural alliances that you can create with other community groups or businesses? Here are a few ideas:

• A permaculture guild or transition town initiative
• A local garden club
• Master gardeners
• Library or community space holders

Step 2: Locate Your Space

Get your space. We recommend a well-visited community space. Pick a venue that is frequented by the general public. We chose the main branch of the local public library since it is open to the public, widely used by a broad spectrum of citizens, and the missions of Richmond Grows and the public library dovetail nicely.

Step 3: Acquire Library Materials

You'll need a sturdy cabinet for the seeds and, of course, seeds. We recommend that you get a wooden cabinet as you are probably going to have to put some dividers in the drawers to organize the seeds into rows. The height of the drawers is important as it should be high enough to accommodate a regular-sized seed packet, but not too high as to waste space. A good height for the drawer is about 6 inches. We have three cabinets: edibles (vegetables, fruits, and edible flowers), herbs, and ornamentals (non-edible flowers, California natives, and ornamentals, such as gourds).

Things you'll need:

• Cabinets for seeds
• Seeds — Write to seed companies and explain your project and the community that you will be serving; be sure to include the seed-saving aspect in your letter so that you don't get hybrid seeds.
• Labels for the outside of the drawers — Download labels below.
• Labels for dividers (in drawers) — Download labels below.
• Dividers for different types of seeds — We decided to put the labels for different types of seeds onto something sturdy and had 1/4-inch wooden dividers made that are 5 3/8" x 3 3/8". You'll need around 50 just for the vegetables and fruits. 
• Wooden dividers for the drawer — Drawers are much wider than seed packets; having dividers creating rows of seeds will keep it more organized.
• 1-2 stamps for checking in and out
• 1-2 stamp pads
• Donated envelopes for borrowing seeds – Do not get envelopes with open windows; check local printers for discards; legal-sized envelopes, sealed with edge taped shut, then cut in half are a great size for people returning seeds to the library.
• A computer for members to check out and donate/return seeds — there is an open-source seed database that you can download. 

Labels for Drawers

When you get your drawers for your seeds, you will need to clearly label them. The labels serve a dual purpose of helping members find and return seeds easily while educating them about plant families and the difficulty of different families to save seeds.

Our vegetables are labeled by plant families. We recommend that you put easy-to-save seeds in the upper drawers and difficult ones below.

NOTE: All of our labels are for the San Francisco Bay Area. Certain families may be more difficult in your region if you have cold winters. Besides labeling the families in each drawer and including some common family members, we also recommend that you clearly label the difficulty of the seeds to be saved.

We created three categories and these are the labels:

1. Super-Easy — We recommend using neon green paper
2. Easy — We recommend any color besides red paper — we chose aquamarine
3. Difficult — We recommend using neon yellow paper

Labels for outside of drawers: The drawers for the edibles cabinet are labeled by families and we printed each family with a different color. The colors we chose correspond to the SF Bay Area Planting Guide that was created by B.A.S.I.L., our sister seed library in Berkeley, California.

Labels for inside of drawers: Remember that our categories of Super-Easy, Easy, and Difficult reflect seed-saving levels based on the SF Bay Area climate. Some families, such as the Goosefoot and Parsley families will be difficult if you have cold winters.

1. Goosefoot Family
2. Gourd Family
3. Grass Family
4. Lily Family
5. Mint Family
6. Mustard Family
7. Nightshade Family
8. Parsley Family
9. Pea Family
10. Sunflower Family
11. Miscellaneous Edibles

Seed Markers: When people check out seeds, it's helpful to have "seed markers" (kind of like book markers) available for them to stick in the drawers so they can easily return packets where they found them. We had a number of them made on card stock and used a variety of colors so if several people are using the library simultaneously, such as at an orientation, they can keep track of which spaces are theirs by using only one color of marker.

Step 4: Create Signage for Your Library

Signs you may want to have:

• Seed Lending Library sign
• New to Seed Saving poster – We took the paper to a copy store and had it enlarged to 2' x 3'. Note: These recommendations are for the SF Bay Area.
• Signs for the computer – Since our seed lending library is in the public library and some patrons come to the public library to use the computer, we chose not to have our computer Internet-connected. We wanted to avoid people from browsing on it. We added a few signs — "This computer is for Seed Lending Library members." and "This computer is NOT connected to the Internet." A third sign reminded people how to log on and asked them to e-mail us from another computer if they experience any difficulties with the program.
• How to Use the Library poster — We enlarged this to 2'x 3' and posted it on the back of used foam core and put it on a home-made easel.

Step 5: Create Your Brochures

Educating people about seed saving is an essential part of the library. Otherwise, you may get a lot of things that aren't what they claim to be. Every time we do an orientation, we distribute "How to Save Seeds" brochures and refer people to our website for additional resources. Around harvest time, we will also offer some basic seed-saving classes.

How to Save Seeds Brochures

For your convenience, we've highlighted words that you will need to switch out to reflect your organization and location.

NOTE: All of our labels are for the San Francisco Bay Area. Certain families may be more difficult in your region if you have cold winters. Contact local seed savers or refer to guides on seed saving for specifics on your area. Seed Savers Forum is also a great place to get expert advice.

Highlighted areas indicate information that you will need to change. This has been done for some, but not all, of the brochures, so please scan carefully.

How to Save Seeds Brochure – outside, English
How to Save Seeds Brochure – inside, English
How to Save Seeds Brochure – outside, Spanish
How to Save Seeds Brochure – inside, Spanish
How to Save Seeds Brochure – outside, Mandarin (coming soon)
How to Save Seeds Brochure – inside, Mandarin

How to Use the Library Brochures

How to Use the Library – outside, English
How to Use the Library – inside, English
How to Use the Library – outside, Spanish
How to Use the Library – inside, Spanish

How to Check Out Seeds

We have a computer that we use with a database for people to check out seeds. If you are interested in using the database, please contact us at RichmondGrowsSeeds.org and we will connect you with the writer of the program. It is an open-source (read "free") program that was specifically written for our sister seed library, B.A.S.I.L., and Richmond Grows. You'll only need to change the name on the front page. We also have a paper backup for the computer as well as for members that are not comfortable using computers.

Step 6: Launching Your Seed Library

One way to launch your seed lending library is to have a seed swap. See our page (under construction) on how to organize a seed swap.

• Seed interchange (swap)
• Post orientation invitations on local listserves; see orientation section below
• Have a grand opening with some local officials and press

Step 7: Orientations to the Library

We chose to do orientations so that people would know how to use the library properly, as well as understand how they can make the library self-sustaining. Our orientations are a half-hour long, starting and ending promptly, but many people stay beyond that time to check out seeds and register. The focus of the orientation is on what is the library, how the library is organized, and how to check out seeds. We felt that returning seeds and discussing seed saving would be too much to take in for the initial orientation. We do pass out our seed-saving brochure and strongly emphasis what the "Super-Easy," "Easy," and "Difficult" signs mean.

Before the orientation, we posted sign-ups in the library as well as publicized orientations on different neighborhood council, garden club, and other community listserves. We used Eventbrite for our registration. It's a free service.

Since we only have one computer and people often want to check out seeds after the orientation, 10-12 people is about the maximum that we recommend for an orientation if you have only one computer.

Here is our orientation material. We enlarged each piece to 2' x 3' and then put them on a large flip-chart easel.

The post How to Create Your Own Seed Lending Library appeared first on Shareable.