What can you get at a local library that you aren’t required to return? The answer can be found at Greenfield Community College. Now in its 10th year, their seed library has a new logo and new name honoring longtime librarian Hope Schneider, now retired, who helped launch the college library’s program in 2015. Hope’s Seed Library now contains expanded offerings, including seeds collected from GCC gardens. While library patrons aren’t required to return seeds, growers are encouraged to consider bringing seeds saved from resulting plants, thereby helping the program to thrive.

Another person instrumental in starting the seed library is Anthony Reiber, GCC professor of soil science and horticulture who also coordinates the college’s Natural Resources Programs, advises students in the Permaculture Club, and is a mover and shaker in many other ways when it comes to food, conservation, and the environment. Reiber helps ensure that seeds generated from GCC gardens make it to the library. “We chose Provider bean seeds for our first attempt, wanting to distribute something that’s easy to grow. Once you start growing your own food, it’s relatively easy to take it to the next level.”

Reiber said that offering just a few varieties can make a difference: “We don’t need 150 varieties. I mean, one tiny tomato seed can lead to hundreds of seeds.” He looks forward to GCC offering workshops on starting seeds, growing gardens, and sharing knowledge. “We have a finite amount of space, but it’s great to give people a chance to meet in person.” In his home garden, Reiber grows an astonishing variety of produce, and the bounty extends indoors, too: “I harvested almost 100 key limes in my living room (in one year).”

The recent kick-off of the seed library’s 2025 season coincided with a two-day plant swap, all taking place in the GCC library. Students and other community members approached the plant swap with glee, knowing they were free to take cuttings, divisions, and tubers, to offer their own specimens, or to engage in both. Beginners and seasoned horticulturists exclaimed over the range of species. Before digging into the seed library, here’s a glimpse of the indoor and outdoor plants that graced the fourth annual swap, which is always a self-serve event.

Donors are invited to bring potted plants, bare roots, or specimens in jars of water. Requirements are few, but significant: all donated plants must be pest-free and healthy, and donors were asked to label offerings, resulting in a wide and somewhat comical range of specificity. Plant lovers are no doubt familiar with standards like philodendron, Christmas cactus, spider plant, and begonia. Others favorites included snake plant, ruby leaf, aloe, and amaryllis – all looking vibrant. There were pothos, hoya, laceleaf, plynesian ivy, and kalanchoe. Attendees were overheard musing about whether they had room at home for yet another plant; invariably, the answer was affirmative. Many grateful locals headed out the door with beautiful acquisitions.

One label was impressively specific: ”Calatheabella: differentiated cells, different chlorophyll,” while another was vague: “Mystery succulent.” One sounded endearingly maternal until Tony Reiber blew its cover: “Mother of Millions? Not my favorite,” he said. “It spreads weeds into every house plant you own.” Sufficiently forewarned, I skipped that one.

Two other seed superstars on hand during the festivities were Young-In Kim, a GCC librarian who co-facilitates the seed offerings, and Paulina Borrego, a librarian from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, whose specialties include environmental conservation and food science. “We draw people in different ways,” said Kim. “The season kick-off is a way to drum up interest each spring. We also reach out via email to the campus community and people in the wider community on our growing email list.” Seeds are available throughout the year. “People walk in and happen upon (the seed library),” said Kim, who added that program goals include “connecting people and libraries in this shared endeavor.” Kim said that the Common Seed website was inspired by the Common Read program, where people connect through shared reading experiences. “We provide not only seeds, but knowledge, too.”

Paulina Borrego collaborated with Schneider on launching GCC’s seed library. “We sent emails to 100 local public libraries in western Mass,” said Borrego, “inviting them to participate in our goal of giving people access to seeds, along with education.” Borrego emphasized that while returning the next generation of seed isn’t required, it helps ensure the survival of such programs. “Many seed libraries don’t survive because people don’t return seed,” she said. Borrego brought to light another concern: “Is your food truly local if your seed isn’t local? A lot of commercial seeds are not grown in the U.S., and we’re trying to address that fact.” She added in a determined tone, “First western Mass, then the state, then the nation!”

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For Schneider, having the project rebranded as “Hope’s Seed Library” is moving and inspiring: “It makes my heart sing.” She added that Reibert and Kim “are doing a great job of promoting and expanding it.” Schneider had never gardened until moving to western Massachusetts in 1973 to attend the Woolman Hill School in Deerfield, now the site of the Quaker-run Woolman Hill Conference Center. “I grew up in Queens (New York) with no connection to gardening, but when I got here, I became a country person. The school had a big garden and cows; during that time, organic gardening became very popular.”

Despite urban roots, Schneider’s family background was connected to agriculture. “My grandfather, who came over from Germany, was a pickle maker.” A great-uncle started a business called Schneider’s Pickles & Olives. “I don’t know if they farmed back in Germany,” said Hope Schneider, “but you know how the Germans are with their sauerkraut and other fermented foods!”

The impetus for starting the GCC seed library came from Deb Chown, then the library director. “Deb saw an article in Library Journal about innovative ways of using libraries,” said Schneider. “For us, a seed library seemed like a perfect match.”

Eveline MacDougall is the author of Fiery Hope and a seed saver. To contact: eveline@amandlachorus.org.