AGAWAM – With spring officially here, the Agawam Public Library is providing seeds for residents to spruce up their homes by hosting a Seed Library and Exchange.

Information and Adult Services Library Associate Shari Petrucci said the library is hosting this program because the staff feels the public must have access to seeds after last year’s global seed shortage and the resources  to learn how to grow and harvest the plants.

“Last year, due to COVID-19, there was a severe seed shortage as well as some serious produce shortages in the stores. Not to mention that more and more food is recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to reported food-borne illnesses and contaminations. So, of course, there is a growing demand for seeds and knowledge on how to grow them,” Petrucci said.

She added that aside from shortages, it is also essential to educate the public, adding with climate change being a pressing concern, home gardeners can contribute to a greener world by reducing their carbon footprints.

Visitors can browse for flower, herb, and vegetable seeds and take the desired seed from a labeled container and packet and place them in an envelope to take home.

The library asks that people sign out their seeds in the sign-out folder to the left of the display. Those wishing to donate seeds are asked to put them in an envelope with the date, type of seed and growing instructions. Donators are also asked to log their donated seed.

All the seeds are non-GMO but are not organic. A prepared statement released by the library said that some seed packets are labeled “heirloom,” meaning the seeds are accurate to the original parent plant and have not been cross-pollinated with other varieties.

While a seed library is open year-round and seeds may be borrowed anytime, Petrucci said seed starting usually occurs at least six to eight weeks before the last frost date. “Here in Agawam, the average last frost date is late April to early May. There is still plenty of time to start seeds, and some seeds prefer to be directly sown outdoors. There’s so much to learn because it can all depend on what you are actually growing.”

Visitors can visit the seed library on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays after making an appointment by calling the library at 789-1550 or making an appointment at the door.

The library accepts seed donations in labeled packets with its name, date, light, and water requirements year-round from home gardens. Seed donations can also be store-bought but should be non-GMO.

Petrucci said books and information on growing and caring for the seeds are available at the library.

The library has also announced that Crafterpalooza is coming in April. Crafterpalooza is essentially the library’s craft exchange.

“We hold it in the spring, we figure it gives people a chance to do a little spring cleaning of their craft supplies and then come on in and do some shopping for their new projects,” said Adult Services Librarian Cher Collins. “It is really fun and the name ‘Crafterpalooza,’ one of our librarians, Wendy, she came up with the name and it seemed to just stick.”

Collins added, “We recognized a big crafting part of the community, and some of our staff is very crafty as well, and we decided to give this a try.”

The public can donate gently used crafter materials. The materials have to come from a non-smoking home, in the original packaging, or a clear ziplock bag. Donations are accepted during library hours on April 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, and 24.

Anyone who wishes to shop can make an appointment on April 27 and 29, and May 1.

Crafterpalooza is free and people do not have to donate to shop.

“It is really a good way for crafters to come in and restock their crafting supplies at home,” she said.

Collins also shared that on March 30 the library is having their last Monday madness game night and people can register online at www.agawamlibrary.org. For any questions, can call the library or visit them online.