r/Library • u/ILovePublicLibraries • 8d ago
Creative and Crafty Seed Library repurposed using a card catalog
The public library I went to in Berlin, Connecticut has a Seed Library which uses old-fashioned card catalogs they originally had to store card files. They're using these drawers to store seed packets for vegetables such as eggplant or celery.
Does your library still have old-school card catalog drawers? If so, are there any card files or any other uses?
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u/Luthien3720 8d ago
That's what my library did with the old card catalogue. It works very well for holding seeds!
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u/painstream 8d ago
We had our old card catalogs on display for a while.
...the same ones I used when I was a patron here. XD
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u/Rabbit-Lover_2000 7d ago
Our public library in Cape Breton Nova Scotia does the exact same thing in the summer! I thought it was a picture from there!
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u/Responsible-Rush-363 6d ago
Our public library in Spartanburg, SC does the same. Great reuse of the card catalogs! And big thanks to the library for supporting this idea of a seed library!!
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u/obuibod 5d ago edited 5d ago
I've seen this at branches across my city. Sometimes generated by staff, but often by an eagle scout. Just saw a card catalog in Fredericksburg, TX extremely well-stocked with native seeds. There was a book of ideal planting times and other info about every plant, including pictures. Isn't it great what we can do for our communities?
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u/Zwordsman 8d ago
always good to do things like that.
if you lose your card catalog you will never ever et another one. the used ones are crazy expensive and crazy heavy. but they're so very useful.
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u/Massive_Machine5945 8d ago
omg..... 🤯🤯🤯 my library does have old card catalogs. im going to bring this to my director's attention, we have the catalogs for display/historical versions - they aren't functioning or updated, although we do still print & create cards for each book we add to our catalog - this one is only for staff use. the ones out in the public area are basically tall display tables, but making it a seed library is brilliant. we also have a community garden at the community center.... this is so freaking cool!!!