Contributed NEW FEATURE — Erika Lyon, OSU Extension educator, agriculture and natural resources, stands next to the seed library catalog at the Main Library of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County. Seeds are free to the public to take or leave.

A new community resource is sprouting at the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, where a seed library created in partnership with the Ohio State University Extension and local Master Gardeners is now available to the public.

The seed library, located at the Main Library, allows patrons to check out and donate seeds at no cost, expanding the library’s growing collection of hands-on educational resources focused on gardening, agriculture and sustainability.

“The seed library aims to inspire current and future gardeners to try planting a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers in their gardens,” said Erika Lyons, OSU Extension educator.

Library officials say the idea grew naturally from an earlier conversation with the Master Gardeners, who had approached the library about donating horticultural and 4-H books. That discussion soon evolved into a broader effort to make gardening resources more accessible to the community in a practical way.

“The idea formed a year ago when the Master Gardeners approached the library about donating horticultural and 4-H books,” said Jenn Cesta, the library’s public relations coordinator. “The conversation evolved to provide seeds to the public for free.”

An old card catalog that once held library records has been repurposed to store seed packets and now sits in the adult section on the first floor. The setup gives the program a hands-on, self-serve format designed to make gardening materials easy to browse and access.

Patrons may take up to three seed packets per visit and are encouraged to share seeds as well. Community members who wish to contribute can drop off seeds at the Main Library’s front desk, where they will be reviewed by Master Gardeners before being packaged for future checkout.

Even for residents who may have already started their gardens this season, library officials say there is still time to plant additional crops. Recommended plantings for June and July include beans, cucumbers, eggplants and sweet corn, along with other warm-weather vegetables suited for mid-summer growth.

The seed library is available during regular library operating hours. Nearby, horticultural and 4-H books are also available for checkout with a library card, offering additional resources for gardeners of all experience levels.