In order to reach his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout, Park Ridge eighth grader Owen Hanba had to plan and develop a project in service to his community. Hanba, of Scout Troop 1, created a Seed Library that will be housed at the Park Ridge Library beginning this Spring.
“For my Eagle Project, I wanted to do something cool that’s related to conservation, because that’s important in Scouting, and something everyone in Park Ridge can use,” Hanba said. “Since I like volunteering at the Library, I checked out what other libraries do and found this awesome thing called a seed library.”
Hanba procured donations of seeds. He also restored a card catalog cabinet in his garage that will house the seeds at the Library. On Saturday, April 6, Hanba will be joined by members of the Park Ridge Garden Club for the official launch of the Seed Library. Garden Club volunteers will share tips and answer your gardening questions. Kids are invited to come plant a seed and make a seed-inspired bookmark, and there will be gardening-themed giveaways.
Library patrons will be able to take seeds home at no cost, Hanba said, just as easily as they can borrow a book.
“I am excited to see what plants people will grow in their gardens this summer!” Hanba said.
About the Seed Library
- Park Ridge Library cardholders are invited to select up to 10 seed packets per patron.
- We have more than 400 varieties of herb, vegetable and flower seeds.
- A complete catalog of currently available seeds will be shared on our website.
- The Seed Library will be located on the second floor by the Reference Desk.
- Seeds are first come first served.
More on Gardening
April is Earth Month, National Gardening Month and National Landscape Architecture Month. We are celebrating in several ways:
- An person or virtual program on native plant gardening on April 18;
- A virtual display from our Reference team on landscape architecture;
- A physical nonfiction display on the 2nd floor all about gardening;
- An April 30 discussion of the acclaimed nonfiction book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer with Go Green Park Ridge; and
- Coming in May, a special performance by the Firefly Family Theatre, “Grow,” about how a plant grows.
