SAN ANGELO, Texas — For many children, one of the most interactive ways to learn a new skill is by being hands-on.
Last spring, the Angelo West Branch Library in San Angelo accepted a donation from Willhite Seed Inc. and Sow Right Seeds for a seed library, put in place to help enhance its Children's Department by teaching youngsters (and adults, of course) about gardening and growing plants.
Stephens Central Library Youth Services Librarian Amy Dennis attended a webinar last winter "and [she] had the idea that a community seed exchange would be great for the whole community," Angelo West Branch Library branch manager Jill Ratcliffe said.
"So in the library, we kinda pass around ideas like kids pass colds. Once one library has a great idea, we're very networky," Dennis said. "So we share a lot from not only locally but state-to-state and nationally."
In summer 2023, a green and white box was built by Central High School construction students and painted with colorful flowers by a fellow library employee.
Kale, beans, radish and more were placed in the box - located outside of 3013 Vista Del Arroyo Drive - and some 12,000 packets were picked up quickly from community members through November free of charge.
"If you wanna make a salad, we got you covered, if you wanna make salsa, we got you covered," Dennis said.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the library wants to spread the word about seed donations, with the first day of spring - March 19 - as the date of this year's official re-opening.
"We hope that members of the community will start to bring in their seeds to share with other people," Ratcliffe said.
In order to make a donation, small envelopes made by Volunteens members will be available at Stephens Central Library, 33 W. Beauregard Ave. For those who want to use their own bags, drop-offs can eventually be made to Angelo West Branch Library directly.
The library is also involved with a program called Neighborhood Forest, which provides tree seeds for children. Any leftovers are to be added to the box, as well.
This upcoming summer, the reading program theme is centered around adventure, which will teach children about the importance of protecting the planet.
"The more we can instill that value into our children that this is something we need to take care of, that stewardship is a thing to pay attention to, the better off we all are," Dennis said.
While the box is empty for the winter months, the program will soon start up again with the goal to keep involving more and more fellow citizens.
"People who need a little help getting started gardening, here you go, get some seeds," Ratcliffe said.
When the cold weather clears up and the spring air drifts in, the little Seed Library wants to be prepared.
