DeKalb County Public Library launches seed library

DeKalb County Public Library has added something new and different to its collection. The Library has launched metro Atlanta’s first seed library at the Decatur branch, 215 Sycamore Street in downtown Decatur.

The DIGG Seed Library—DeKalb Invests In Growing Gardens—allows library patrons to check out heirloom and open-pollinated seeds that grow well in DeKalb-area gardens. Those who have a DeKalb library card may hoose the seeds they want from a catalogue and take the seeds for free.

The purpose of the new service is to provide access to healthy, affordable and sustainable food as well as to educate patrons about food deserts in some of our communities, said Janet Florence, public information officer for the Library System. Food deserts are areas where residents have difficulty finding fresh, healthy food because there are few nearby grocery stores and farmers markets.

The seed library was funded with start-up funds from the DeKalb Library Foundation. The Friends of the Decatur Library also donated money. All seeds were donated from Slow Food Atlanta and a number of seed companies, including Hudson Valley Seed Library, Athens Seed, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, High Mowing Seed Company, Southern Exposure Seeds and many more.