Seed library at Middletown Library sprouts out of former director's passion for gardening

MIDDLETOWN – Gardening and libraries are not usually a common association.

But thanks to former Library Director Theresa Coish and some friends at the University of Rhode Island and Ocean State Job Lot, the two are connected for Middletown library patrons.

Julie Tetrault-Ventura, the library adult services and marketing assistant, said there is now a cabinet in the library for patrons to take free vegetable, herbs and flower seeds.

“We have given out seeds to our patrons for the past several years. This is the first year that they have been formally organized into the Seed Library cabinet. We have many patrons who look forward to getting free seeds from us and many start asking about the seeds as early as January and February,” Tetrault-Ventura said during a recent interview.

Tetrault-Ventura said Coish, who was the library director from 2009-2023, was an avid gardener and started a library garden behind the building, located at 700 West Main Road.

“These gardens were a very special project for her and she took great pride in creating them,” Tetrault-Ventura said, adding that the community gardens have a waitlist for another garden bed.

Thanks to the URI Master Gardener Program and Ocean State Job Lot, more seed donations rolled in and now there is a cabinet for patrons to check out some seeds and take home for a cost-effective gardening experience.

Coish retired last year and the Library Trustees voted on creating a Seed Library in her honor, according to Tetrault-Ventura.

Though Coish helped bring this to MIddletown, Seed Libraries have been sprouting up all over libraries across America, according to web sources.

Tetrault-Ventura said she is not sure if the Middletown program will expand to accept seed donations from members of the public but library officials are considering it.

Right now, there are plenty of seeds available for patrons to take, but library officials urge people to take only what they need.

“The seeds will be available until we run out. As long as we are able to receive a donation from URI each year, we will continue offering seeds to our patrons each spring,” Tetrault-Ventura said.

The Seed Library is located in the adults section by the Books on CD, according to its Facebook Page.

Library officials are also working toward providing programs about gardening for library patrons, according to Tetrault-Ventura.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Middletown Library opens seed library to meet growing demand