All locations will be closed on Friday, February 7 for Staff Development Day. To contact Vital Statistics for birth and death certificates, please call (214) 670-3248.
Dallas Public Seed Library
There is a circulating collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds at the Dallas Public Library!
Farmers and home gardeners have been saving and sharing seeds with each other for thousands of years. Unfortunately the tradition has been largely abandoned over the past 100 years. Here are some reasons to start saving and sharing again:
To develop plant varieties that are uniquely adapted to our local climate and growing conditions
To increase agricultural biodiversity
To ensure the resilience of our food supply
To become more self-sufficient as individuals and a community
Locations:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch
Newsletter
Sign up for the Seed Library Newsletter to learn about upcoming events! Click here, scroll down to DPL topics, select Seed Library, and fill in your information.
How to Check-Out Seeds
Visit any Seed Library location in person to look through their available inventory. Make your selections and take them home.
You can also fill out the online Seed Request Form. (MS Form)
We invite you to check-out seeds from us and plant them in your garden. After the harvest, we encourage you to let your plants "go to seed," and return some of those seeds to the library.
Donating Seeds
Donations help keep our collection sustainable, but we don't require borrowers to return seed to us - especially those who are new to gardening. However, if you would like to learn how to save seeds, we can help. We offer books and other resources for checkout, as well as workshops on various gardening topics.
Volunteering
Fill out the volunteer application on the Dallas Public Library website or visit a branch for a paper application. Select the Seed Library as your assignment preference. If you want to know more about our volunteer opportunities, call or email us.
Local Gardening
Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions - Map of Community Gardens in Dallas
Use this map to find a community garden near you!
Growing From Seed
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Growing Guides
A wealth of general and plant-specific information
Seed Savers Exchange - Growing and Seed Saving Guides
Plant-specific growing and seed saving guides
Seed Saving
We encourage new seed savers to start off saving seeds from Lettuce, Peas, Beans, Peppers, and Tomatoes. Learn how here!Almanac.com - How to save vegetable seeds.
Seed Ambassadors - Seed Saving Guide
Free seed-saving zine
Seed Savers Exchange - Seed Saving Chart
Crop-specific seed-saving chart
Field Trip and Family Resources
Whole Kids Foundation - Lesson Plans for Gardening with Kids
These lesson plans were designed for school gardens, but can easily be used by parents. Check them out here!
My First Garden - Gardening FUNdamentals for Kids
Built for kids, this website will aid their learning of the processes plants undertake to grow. Spanish version available.
PBS Kids Games -
Check out these links to play gardening themed games!
Dallas Public Library Pollinator Garden
There is a container garden of native plants for pollinators on the 5th floor of the J Erik Jonsson Central Library!
When planting a pollinator garden, it's important to use the best plants to help our pollinator friends get the job done. Native plants are best because they have adapted together for our local climate, this means less work in keeping them alive.
Learn About Our Pollinator Garden
Sign up for the Your Garden and Beyond Newsletter to learn about upcoming events! Click here, scroll down to DPL topics, select "Your Garden - and Beyond", and fill in your information.
Field Trips and Family Resources
Our pollinator garden is generally kept closed to the public so that pollinators can do their important work undisturbed. The library is excited to offer tours to schools and other groups, and will open during scheduled educational programs.
For more information, please call 214-670-1671 or email childrens@dallaslibrary.org
Want to weed out the misidentification of plants and insects? Check out this identifier with your smart device.
Volunteering
Want to help keep our garden beautiful? Fill out the volunteer application on the Dallas Public Library website or visit a branch for a paper application. Select the 5th floor as your assignment preference. If you want to know more about our volunteer opportunities, call 214-671-9206 or email volunteer@dallaslibrary2.org
Partners
The J Erik Jonsson Central Library’s Pollinator Garden was established and is maintained in partnership with the North Texas Master Naturalists!
Volunteers advise and assist with design, installation and maintenance of the garden, as well as participate in education and outreach events. In 2022, added a garden at the Renner Frankford Branch.
J Erik Jonsson Central Library NTMN lead – Barbara Cohen.
Renner Frankford Branch NTMN lead – Ruth Hewes.