Sustaining a Seed Library

Borrowing & Donation Procedures Webinar

The Seed Library Network is excited to be partnering with IFLA ENSULIB to offer a free webinar, ‘Sustaining a Seed Library: Borrowing & Donation Procedures’, on Thursday, Nov. 13th from 8 - 9:30 AM PST / 3 - 4:30 PM GMT.

This class is helpful for anyone looking to start or enhance a seed library. It covers how to create clear lending guidelines, promote seed returns, and evaluate donated seeds. You’ll also get practical advice on community engagement and building a diverse, resilient collection. It’s full of actionable tips and simple ways to boost participation.

IFLA ENSULIB

IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB) encourages librarians to inspire their communities into more environmentally sustainable way of action, by providing materials on green librarianship and giving voice projects worldwide such as through our biannual newsletter, book projects, and webinars. ENSULIB offers online resources such as the green library definition, checklists, posters, and tools, that are translated into many languages. The annual IFLA Green Library Award is also led and managed by ENSULB and recognizes green library achievements globally. For many of these projects they ask for volunteers to assist. Subscribe to IFLA ENSULIB email list and watch their projects web page and to learn more.

Webinar presented by Rebecca Newburn.
Rebecca is a prominent advocate for seed conservation and community engagement, having played a pivotal role in the growth and popularization of seed libraries. Co-founder of the Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library and Founder of the Seed Library Network, Rebecca has been instrumental in creating a resilient and replicable model for seed libraries across the globe. Through her initiatives, she’s championed the importance of preserving plant biodiversity, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering community collaboration.

📍 Put Your Seed Library on the Map!

There are over 115K views of the map. Are you on the map? Explore the map to see if you are listed. If your seed library is currently open, it take about 5 minutes to add it to our community map. It’s a quick way to connect and be visible to others interested in seed sharing.

👉 Add your seed library here

📚 Open Source Community Resources

The seed library community has grown due to the generosity of people who shared resources and made it easy for people to share seeds in their community.
Look for the “Community Resources” button at the bottom of many of our pages —it’s an easy way to share tools you’ve created or explore what others have contributed.

We especially encourage submissions in languages other than English to help expand access for our global community.