The mission of the Seed Library at the Maya Angelou Branch Library is to connect Wichita residents with the education, tools, and resources to grow their own fresh produce at home. It empowers Wichita residents to connect with nature, encourages sustainable living practices, sparks curiosity about our environment, and establishes the Angelou Branch as a hub of connection for Wichita's gardening community.

How It Works

Each time someone in your household visits the Angelou Branch, you may pick out up to five seed packets to take home with you. You don't need a library card to "check out" your seeds. Just bring your packets to the front desk and let a library staff member know your name, zip code, and the seeds you're taking home.

Then head home and plant! No need to bring back your packets, unused seeds, or seeds collected from the plants you grow. We will host seed swap programs throughout the year if you would like to trade harvested seeds with your neighbors.

The seed garden is stocked Spring through Fall with a variety of vegetable seeds. Based on donations, we may also have herb and/or flower seeds available. Seeds are swapped out at least three times per year based on ideal planting times in Spring, Summer, and Fall.

In addition to offering seed packets, the Maya Angelou Branch Library offers gardening education and information. Check out our events page to find educational gardening programs and be sure to browse the rotating display of gardening books, flyers, and pamphlets on top of the seed library for planting guidance.

How You Can Help

Donate Seeds

Donations of seeds are accepted on an ongoing basis. If you would like to donate seeds, please feel free to bring them to the Angelou Branch for drop off.

• For organizations who can verify all seeds and sources, both unopened seed packets and loose seeds are acceptable for donation.
• For individuals, unopened seed packets are acceptable for donation, but loose seeds are not being accepted at this time.

Donate Seed Supplies

We accept in-kind donations of seed supplies to help with planting such as propagation trays and biodegradable pots. We offer those supplies to community members alongside seed packets. If you would like to donate supplies to the seed library, please first contact Customer Experience Manager Kristi Dowell () to ensure adequate space is available for the donations to be offered to the public.

Donate Your Time

• Attend our Seed Swap programs to exchange seeds and gardening tips with other community members.
• If you are interested in offering education garden programming at the Maya Angelou Branch Library, consider submitting a program proposal or reach out to Community Services Librarian Parker Daniel ().

Donate Monetarily

We are currently accepting monetary donations through the Wichita Library Foundation.

History of the Seed Library

During the design phase of the 2025 renovation project at the Maya Angelou Branch Library, the Wichita Public Library became aware of a lack of access to fresh produce in the Angelou service area. To address the issue, it was decided that establishing a seed library would increase access to fresh produce and provide education about sustainability and vegetable cultivation from the neighborhood library branch. The seed library was refurbished by library staff from a decommissioned card catalog and painted to match the colors used in the Angelou Branch Library renovation project.

Established in May of 2025 and originally stocked with generous donations from Cooperative Seed Garden & ICT Farms, more than 500 seeds were given out to community members in the first six months of operation. Since the seed library has been up and running, many more individuals, local organizations, and community groups have donated seed packets, resulting in hundreds of seeds reaching Wichita residents each season.