TENNERTON — To foster a sense of community and cultivate green thumbs, the Upshur County Public Library is gearing up to launch a Seed Library project in the coming months. Chris Shrontz is a West Virginia Wesleyan College Service Scholar and the driving force behind this initiative.
“The idea behind the seed library is to give the community a place to come and get seeds for free,” Shrontz explained. “I think the biggest drive behind what we’re trying to do is getting kids — especially the younger ones — into gardening. But it’s also a great resource for anyone in the community who wants to plant flowers or wants to try growing something like their own tomatoes.”
The project is a collaborative effort between the library, the service scholars at Wesleyan, and members of the Fred Brooks Garden Club, who have played a pivotal role in organizing a substantial seed donation received by the library.
The library aims to make the Seed Library accessible to everyone.
“It’s going to be downstairs, right around where the movies are, so people can just come in and look at it if they want to,” Shrontz explained. “There’s no age limit; this is for everyone.”
Shrontz highlighted the simplicity of the process, saying, “People can just come and take what they want to try. We’re still in the planning processes right now, but it’s a growing project.”
As many took up new hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic, gardening emerged as a popular choice, Shrontz said.
“Gardening is not just a pastime but also beneficial for mental well-being and the environment,” she added. “The library is currently in the process of setting up the Seed Library, with an anticipated opening in January.”
For those interested in contributing to the Seed Library, the UCPL is accepting seed donations to further enrich the variety available to the community. The Upshur County Public Library’s Seed Library promises to be a vibrant hub for green enthusiasts of all ages, promoting a sustainable and hands-on approach to gardening.
Interested in learning more about this program or even assisting the library? Contact the UCPL via its website, on Facebook or by calling 304-473-4219.
