The Seed Exchange Library provides a new type of collection for the community that uses the Ross-Broadway Branch Library. It encourages community engagement through a neighborhood- and city-wide sharing program that would otherwise take place on an individual-to-individual level. By becoming a seed repository for community gardeners, the Exchange is an ongoing program that allows participants to make several transactions over the growing season. Each has the opportunity to diversify one’s own seed collection by sharing with others, including friends, acquaintances, and strangers. I put this submission in the "Positioning the Library" category because I believe this shows library services in a new light. Program participants can rely on their local branch to foster a sense of community and provide an outlet to share interests with like-minded individuals and our staff.

- Participants pick up and drop off seeds at the Ross-Broadway Branch Library of Denver Public Library. - Any seed type is accepted, labeled, and repackaged as needed. Seeds are re-packed into small coin envelopes and sealed with a printable label and Denver Public Library logo. - Exchange is not monitored and seeds are not officially cataloged, to reduce workload for staff and to make for a welcoming environment. - Participants may sign on to an email list and are sent a monthly one-page e-newsletter. - Initial collection of seed packets was generously donated by a local seed company. This allowed us to start the program in full, rather than have a collecting period before the official launch. - Exchange is ongoing "passive programming," allowing participants more time to indeed participate and to make more than one transaction as the gardening season progresses. - Provide an engaging, cost-effective, and communal way to create green spaces and natural landscapes in our urban environment.

The Seed Exchange officially launched on March 1, 2014, with an approximate end date of the July 4th Weekend. Submissions can be accepted and stored anytime for 2015. In the past five weeks, there have been: - 50 people signed onto the email list, receiving… - 2 e-newsletters (March and April), with about three more to come in 2014 - 50-60 exchanges - 200+ packets donated by Botanical Interests to get started - 211 varieties left for exchange (NOT including initial donation), composing... - 464 seed portions for other participants - 1 open house, with one more during Denver’s outdoor planting time (mid-May) Lessons learned include the necessity of more efficient repackaging and labeling donated seeds.