Richmond Tweed Regional Library Branch technician
Linda Bell, St Joseph’s Primary School student Tom Gresham and gardening
authority and author Julia Hancock with some of the seeds now available at the
new library.
The region’s first seed library was officially
launched at Murwillumbah Library last week, enabling residents to ‘borrow’ and
share seeds to grow their own fruit, vegetables and other plants.
Gardening experts and enthusiasts joined with Tweed
Shire Council, library and school representatives to celebrate the launch of
the seed library, which will be based at Murwillumbah Library to promote a
sense of community sharing, sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Richmond Tweed Regional Library Branch technician Linda
Bell said it was the third seed library of its kind in NSW and the first in the
northern rivers.
‘Almost all the seeds have been donated by
gardening groups and other locals, for plants which are already grown
successfully in this area,’ Ms Bell said.
‘The seeds can be “borrowed” for free and taken
home, just like a library book, and come with instructions on how to plant and
look after them.
‘People are encouraged to let some of the plants go
to seed, then harvest and bring those seeds into the library so someone else
can borrow them,’ she said.
Tweed Area Librarian Colette Stapleton said the
seed library was spawned by a suggestion from one of its regular customers and,
after considerable public consultation to guide its implementation, was a great
example of the library responding to community needs.
Tweed mayor Katie Milne, gardener and seed
contributor Kathy Booth, with the garden toolbox she won as part of the launch,
and gardening authority and author Julia Hancock at the opening of the seed
library.
A guest speaker at the opening, gardening authority
Julia Hancock, said seeds were the precious epicenter of our world and an
important asset for the community.
‘Whoever owns seeds, owns life,’ she said.
Tweed mayor Katie Milne told the launch she was
continually amazed by the wonderful work and variety of services provided by
the library staff.
‘It’s one of the best services council provides and
is used by around 50 per cent of our residents,” she said.
For more information, contact Murwillumbah Library
on 6670 2427.
