Skip to content

Today's Hours: Tue: 9 am – 9 pm

View Hours

Mon – Thu: 9 am – 9 pm
Fri: 9 am – 6 pm
Sat: 9 am – 5 pm
Sun: 12 – 5 pm

View Closures
Progression of a seed to a sprout to a plant.

Seed Library

Seed Library

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” 

— adapted quote from Cicero 


2025 Seed Library Season

Starting March 1, explore the possibilities with CMPLD’s new Seed Library! No green thumb? No problem! There’s no pressure to bring seeds back or guarantee a harvest—just give it a try and discover the joys of gardening.

  • When: March 1-31, while supplies last
  • Where: Cook Park Library or Aspen Drive Library Information Desk
  • What’s Available: Free flower, herb, fruit, vegetable, and native seeds, while supplies last; helpful books and brochures
  • Limit: 3-5 packets per person

Thank You

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who generously shared their seed harvest last fall. Your donations have helped our Seed Library grow, giving others the opportunity to start or continue their gardening journey. We appreciate your support!


2025 Donation Season

Donations will be accepted in early fall 2025. Watch for more information this summer for specific donation dates. If you plan to donate this fall, please keep the following guidelines in mind when harvesting your seeds.

  1. Dry and separate your seeds by plant. 
  2. Place seeds into small zipper storage bags or small paper envelopes.  
  3. Label each bag and/or envelope with your name, email, and information such as:
            – name (common/scientific)
            – variety
            – source
            – harvest date
            – anything else you think is necessary to know for successfully growing them

Please note, we will also be happy to receive prepackaged/store-bought seeds as well, even if you have opened and used some of them. Please include the original packaging if possible, so that we can appropriately identify and describe them for others.


Questions?

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Daniel Smith at dsmith@cooklib.org or 847-362-2330 x1144. 

You may also sign up for our Seed Library email list to receive periodic updates and information. 


FAQ

A seed library is a lending library that holds garden seeds instead of books. It is an easy, low-commitment way to try out gardening.

Through the generosity of community members, we collected various types of flower, herb, fruit, vegetable, and native seeds.

No! There’s no pressure to bring seeds back or guarantee a harvest—just give it a try and discover the joys of gardening. We will happily accept any seeds that you are able to harvest, though.

Yes! We would be happy to receive prepackaged and store-bought seeds as well, even if you have opened and used some of them. Please include the original packaging if possible so that we can appropriately identify and describe them for others.

Return to Top
Cook Memorial Public Library District

Install Cook Memorial Public Library District

Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.

Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”