The Council Bluffs Public Library's Seed Library started as a community space for sharing open-pollinated seeds as well as gaining knowledge and information around seed saving and other gardening practices.
The Seed Library hosts a variety of open-pollinated, non-hybrid variety seeds that include vegetable, flower, herb and native plant species. A full listing of available seeds can be found in our online catalog or by visiting the library.
The Seed Library is made possible through generous seed donations from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Burpee, High Mowing Seeds, Hudson Valley Seed Company, Pottawattamie Conservation, Seed Savers Exchange, Sow Right Seeds, West Coast Seeds, Prairie Moon Nursery, Boy Scout Troop #5 and our community members!
The library also accepts seeds saved by the community. For basic instruction on seed-saving techniques, check out the Seed Saving Handout in the instructions section of this page. Other information about seed saving can also be found through the use of a library book about the topic or through attending a seed-saving program at the library. After learning about seed saving and collecting from your own crop, bring in the saved seeds you would like to share with the library in labeled envelopes or similar containers. Seeds should be cleaned of plant and soil material before packaging, and they should not be broken, split or non-viable seed. Please only bring seed that has been processed. Use the seed donation form to describe your saved seeds.
- Seeds are available to check out on the first floor at the front Circulation Desk.
- Seed checkout is available to anyone with a valid, non-expired library account in good standing. Cardholder must reside in the state of Iowa.
- A maximum of 15 seed packets are available to check out per account per year.
- We encourage you to collect and return the seed from the plant you grow at home, but there is no obligation to return seeds checked out from the library.