In collaboration with the Cleveland Seed Bank, the Seed Library at Cleveland Public Library strive to preserve biodiversity and to promote local, heirloom varieties of plants. The Seed Library allows you to “check out” a packet of heirloom seeds, grow your own heritage vegetables or flowers, save seeds from the best plants, and then lend them to a friend or neighbor, participate in a “seed swap,” or use them yourself next year.
Seed Pick-up Locations
Check the list of library locations below to find a Seed Library near you!
DOWNTOWN MAIN BRANCH
- Main Library Branch, 325 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
- Phone: 216-623-2800
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
CARNEGIE WEST BRANCH
- Carnegie West Branch, 1900 Fulton Road, Cleveland, OH 44113
- Phone: 216-623-6927
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
HARVARD-LEE BRANCH
- Harvard Lee Branch, 16918 Harvard Ave, Cleveland, 44128
- Phone: 216-623-6990
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
LORAIN BRANCH
- Lorain Branch, 8216 Lorain Ave Cleveland, OH 44102
- Phone: 216-623-7011
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
MEMORIAL-NOTTINGHAM BRANCH
- Memorial-Nottingham Branch, 17109 Lake Shore Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44110
- Phone: 216-623-7039
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WEST PARK BRANCH
- West Park Branch, 3805 West 157th Street Cleveland, OH 44111
- Phone: 216-623-7102
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
WOODLAND BRANCH
- Woodland Branch, 5906 Woodland Ave, Cleveland, OH 44104
- Phone: 216-623-7109
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
DID YOU KNOW…
In the last century or so, the world has lost 75% of its edible plant varieties. That might be hard to comprehend as many of us have enough food on our plates, but this loss in biodiversity threatens our food and nutrition security.
One in five Ohioans is food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal will come from and lack access to enough food for an active and healthy lifestyle, as measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Seed libraries offer opportunities to access healthy and affordable food.
Increasing self-reliance, fostering a connection to the land, and experiencing bounty are all reasons to celebrate seeds. One seed can yield tens of thousands more and Seed Libraries can encourage a greater appreciation of the resilience of nature.
We believe that strengthening knowledge of local food systems and cultivating the skills required for sustainable food production helps to strengthen our community environmentally, economically and socially. Here is a list of seed packets available!
Due to library renovations, some library branches did not apply to the program this year. Always check with your library either online or by phone for updated hours and availability.
Along with The Seed Library, CPL’s Science and Technology Department recommend taking a look at Cleveland Growing Strong, a local grassroots project documenting the community garden and urban agriculture movement here in our city. The website features oral histories of pivotal people, locations, and organizations.