Sprouting last November, Gladstone Region Councillor Desley O’Grady said the “Let it Grow” project encouraged library members to borrow a packet of seeds, grow them, harvest them and eat what they have grown.

“The Calliope Library has now loaned more than 450 packets of seeds, with seed donations also coming in every month from community members,” Cr O’Grady said.

“This means our library has been able to expand its ‘seed library’, which now includes Desert Roses, Yellow Cosmos and Australian natives such as White Bauhinia.”

Watching the initiative flourish, Boyne Island and Agnes Water Libraries have joined in on the green thumb fun.

“Seeds are now available for loan at the Boyne Island and Agnes Water Libraries, and will soon be available from Mount Larcom Library,” Cr O’Grady said.

“The garden beds at the Calliope Library continue to garner compliments, as patrons come to see what’s growing, what’s flowering and what wildlife is attracted too,” she said.

“Our library staff have received great feedback from our younger community members too.

“They loved watching their seeds grow, especially the watermelon, with the best part being able to eventually eat the finished product.”

Helping to grow the services available from a library, the Seed Library initiative was featured in the State Library of Queensland e-news, with a Council Officer also presenting at the “Reaching our Potential” conference earlier this year

“This goes to show we are innovating in the library space, and ensuring our libraries continue to be a visionary and diverse place of learning,” Cr O’Grady said.

For more information on the Seed Library, visit www.gladstonelibraries.qld.gov.au/libraryservices/seed-library

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