The Seed Library at the Irene H. Ruiz Branch at 2017 West Pennway launched on May 3, 2014.  

On Saturday, September 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a 10th-anniversary celebration at the Ruiz Branch features baby animals – such as goats and rabbits – homemade butter and cheese tasting, a native seed bomb giveaway, and more. 

Here’s how the Seed Library works: Patrons “check out” flower, herb, and vegetable seeds from the Seed Library and plant them in their home gardens. Then, in the fall when seeds are harvested from the plants, patrons may “return” the seeds to restock the Library. 

At first, packets of seeds at the Seed Library were stored in the shelves of an old card catalog. As the program evolved, the branch began offering pamphlets on how to start a rain garden or tips on cool-season gardening, as well as hosting regular gardening classes.

When the Seed Library started, Julie Robinson, Refugee & Immigrant Outreach Services manager, was the Ruiz Branch manager. Robinson described it to The Kansas City Star as a “safe attempt” for patrons to try gardening.  

“If it doesn’t germinate or doesn’t grow to something edible, they haven’t spent any money,” she told The Star in 2014.

A decade later, the Seed Library has expanded into an entire meeting room – dozens of neatly labeled large and small jars stocked with seeds, plus seed packets. Shelves are lined with books, pamphlets, and a native plant coloring book created in-house by a Library staffer.  

A Communi-Bee Art Wall adorns one wall – collage artwork created by patrons and Library staff in the shape of a honeycomb.  

Since 2023, the Library has kept a detailed inventory tracker of the Seed Library. For example, as of Thursday, basil, broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and dill were low in stock. Okra was out of stock. Cabbage, squash, and watermelon were available in abundance. Beans, carrots, cilantro, and cucumbers were also in stock.  

Ben Sharda, the former executive director of Kansas City Community Gardens, who teaches gardening classes at the Library, says these days, when people are struggling with high food prices, access to healthy food is even more important.  

“And people say they don’t feel like they can afford fruits and vegetables. And that’s not good,” Sharda says. “That’s one of the best things you can do for your health for your entire life.”

In the first seven months of 2024, patrons checked out more than 3,000 seeds. Since 2020, they've checked out 14,000.  

Amy Morris, assistant branch manager at Ruiz, says the Seed Library continues to encourage people to plant a garden – at little risk and, potentially, great reward.  

“And, you know, we can provide them with seeds if they don't have the financial means to do it,” says Morris. “We just try and take the barriers away.”