Talking Seeds

Implementation

Overall, the majority of the seed libraries are quite similar in how they were created and currently operate, and the responses received through the survey and interviews reflect the experiences of other seed libraries in Canada and the United States (Peekhaus, 2018; Ingalls, 2017). In almost all cases, the seed library was managed by an academic librarian, which is unsurprising as eleven of the twelve seed libraries surveyed are housed in an academic library. One seed library was managed by the campus sustainability office, not the library, however this program is no longer active. The seed libraries are run informally and a passion project for many of the founders and program managers. Seed libraries are not the only work priority of any of the interviewees, but most were happy to be able to run the program even if only off the side of their desk. Many of the seed libraries received financial support. All of the seed libraries had at least some human resource support because the programs were run by paid employees. Of note, some programs were set up by unpaid students receiving grant funding, and then transferred to an on-campus location with paid staff.

The seed libraries included in this study have a range of borrowing systems, from informal to semi-formal. Some libraries have a sign-up sheet, where patrons list the seeds that they borrowed and in some cases a name or email address. One seed library maintains an online catalogue of available seeds, but manual input is required to update supply. Several seed libraries leave the seeds in the open for patrons or the public to take, and a few others keep the seeds behind the front desk or bring the seeds to events. Most libraries work on the honour system, allowing patrons to freely take seeds, although some implement limits, such as five packs per person. None of the seed libraries require patrons to return seeds, but it is encouraged. 

Seed supply

A reliable seed supply can be a challenge for seed libraries. Institutions address seed supply primarily through purchasing or seeking donations from seed suppliers on a continual basis. One seed library is currently growing their own seeds as there is a farm on campus with a dedicated plot of land for seed production. “Seedy Saturdays” are seed swapping events that many seed libraries atttend and share their collections, which was also a source of seeds for the libraries. A few institutions have received seed from seed keepers, and to a lesser extent, patrons are returning seeds. Particularly for the seed libraries that are purchasing or seeking donated shipments of commercial seeds, a challenge is that all of the seeds need to be repackaged into smaller envelopes. An interviewee called it “unsustainable sustainability” because the repackaging is a time consuming and tedious job.

Most of the interviewees viewed patrons not returning seeds as a challenge of seed libraries. This aligns with previous research, where librarians indicated the same struggle existed in public seed libraries (Peekhaus, 2018). During the interviews, seed librarians expressed that they wished seeds would be returned by patrons, however it is only happening on an exceptional basis. Some interviewees opined that low return rates could be due to a lack of knowledge on how to save seeds. One participant clarified, “there's not enough people understanding that it's a cycle; that you take seeds, you grow, you save some seeds and give them back.” When asked about the challenges encountered with the seed library, another interviewee noted that they wanted patrons to understand how the seed library worked because individuals “can be a part of the seed library and be a part of that cycle.” Others responded that they would like seeds to be returned so they did not have to be reliant on purchased or donated seeds from commercial growers, despite being grateful to the farmers and for the donations.

Oversight

More than half of the seed libraries surveyed identified objectives or high-level goals. While all of the institutions had unique objectives, there were seven objectives that were repeated by multiple respondents:

• Encourage gardening and seed sharing,
• Enable people to grow their own food,
• Promote sustainability and climate change events,
• Engage the community,
• Preserve seeds,
• Steward regional biodiversity, and
• Promote learning and share resources.

Roughly half of the respondents felt that their seed library was at least somewhat meeting its objectives. While most institutions listed objectives, almost none of the seed libraries evaluated success. When evaluation does occur, it is informal and is done by monitoring the quantity of seeds borrowed and overall participation.

When developing the seed libraries, organizers set lofty objectives around sustainability and food security, likely due to their enthusiasm and high hopes of the program. As an example, all of the colleges and universities included in this research have publicly released environmental sustainability objectives, commitments, plans, goals, strategies or priority areas of research*. Some of the seed library websites also reference food security goals (for example, Rogers, 2014). In the survey, five seed libraries noted objectives related to food security and environmental sustainability.

Sustainability and food security have become buzzwords, which are no doubt related to the overall mission of the seed library, but not realistic objectives. During the interviews respondents did not express clear or direct linkages between food security, sustainability and seed libraries. There has been recognition that seeds could lead to food production, but would not solve larger systemic issues. The impact of the seed libraries on sustainability objectives was ambiguous for respondents, who had a difficult time making a direct connection. Further, the linkages were not made from a strategic perspective, as seed libraries were not part of larger institutional conversations about these topics. Seed libraries have value, but they may not be able to solve systemic problems, and this is something that new and existing seed libraries should take into consideration when setting objectives.

Current practices for data collection vary by institution, but none have developed a rigorous method for tracking results. Several institutions have a sign-in form for users to track which kind of seeds people take and their email addresses, however this process does not capture all users because it is not rigidly enforced. Other institutions are informally tracking approximately how many people use the seed library by visually monitoring the seed library and noting how many seeds have been taken. Similarly, some institutions noted it tracks which seeds are most popular, though the popularity of the seeds will only reflect those seeds that are available in the library. The institutions do not collect detailed demographic information about the users, although anecdotally many interviewees guessed that staff and faculty accessed the seed library at a higher rate than students.

Interviewees found the existing programs to be working well. Most seed libraries were happy with seeds being shared, patrons engaging in library programs, and hopefully providing students with homegrown vegetables. But there is a multitude of ways to find success in a seed library, including the following achievements recognized by the interviewees:

• Bringing welcome attention to their small branch;
• Complementing resources to support mental health;
• Exploring community engaged librarianship as a framework for assessing impact as a way to “tell good stories without literally counting beans;”
• Engaging people in food systems and sustainability issues;
• Attracting students and community members to the library;
• Supporting students’ gardening (and backyard chicken) pursuits.

The seed libraries in this study had different measurements of success, all of which are valid. Nevertheless, a response that was repeated by many interviewees was that they felt they were not doing enough for their seed library and community. Despite the seed libraries being implemented in different ways, and by different positions in the institution, all of the seed librarians wished they had the time and resources to do more. Informants were of the opinion that education and communication activities were the greatest opportunities available with seed libraries but felt that they were not sufficiently promoting or offering these opportunities.

Looking forward

To build on this existing interest to grow seed library programs, I would like to highlight three themes that have emerged through the interviews that are forward looking and currently being explored or implemented by Canadian academic seed libraries:

stewardship, partnerships, and self-sustainability.

For those seed librarians wanting to explore new ways to develop the seed library, I will share some interesting initiatives and perspectives from fellow academic institutions that participated in this study to highlight the opportunities in the seed library space.