Libraries Ask Us

The Common Seed Project

This guide gathers information and resources for the "Common Seed" project initiated by seed libraries in and around the Massachusetts Pioneer Valley.

How to Become a Participating Library

Participation is limited at this time to libraries located in western Massachusetts. An invitation to participate will be sent to regional libraries every fall via email. Our email list is pulled from CWMARS and MLS. Please get in touch if we missed you this time around and you would like to be added to our mailing list: commonseedproject@gmail.com

The Common Seed Project is designed to have a low barrier of entry for interested libraries. You don't need an established seed library to participate and all materials are provided at no cost to you. Project toolkits will be sent to participating libraries at the beginning of March via MLS Delivery or delivered by a volunteer if your library does not receive MLS Delivery.

Marketing Downloads

Common Seed_Marketing_General
8.5x11 sign, general promotion of Common Seed
Common Seed_Provider Bean Marketing
8.5x11 sign, promotion of the 2025 common seed, 'Provider' bean
Common Seed_Participant Handout
8.5x11 handout, information for participants (2 handouts per sheet)
Common Seed Logo
JPG of the Common Seed logo

'Provider' Bean Program Ideas

Help your patrons engage with Common Seed:

Send us program ideas for this year's common seed at commonseedproject@gmail.com
Share upcoming Regional Programs and Workshops from other libraries on your social media pages

Seed Germination for Kids from How Wee Learn
All you need are jars, paper towels, and the common seed to get kids started learning about seed germination. Includes a germination diary you can print out and send home with patrons.
Growing Beans in a Bag
To grow beans in a bag is an experiment that helps children understand germination. It's easy to do, and the children will enjoy it.
Seed Art Ideas
There is nothing quite like seeds to signify spring. While our planting days are still far off in the future, we do have some seeds. I found some great crafts and art activities for kids that use seeds so I thought I would share them with you here, just in case you too were needing a reminder of the promise of spring.

Green Bean Recipes

Dads Stir Fried Green Beans
Crunchy and delicious Cantonese-style stir fried green beans.
Dilly Beans (Just like Grandma's)
Provider beans are also a great choice for pickling. Just substitute for green beans in this easy quick pickle recipe.
Green Beans Amandine from Cookie and Kate
These skillet-cooked green beans will become your favorite side dish! This green bean recipe features toasted almonds in a lemon-butter sauce.
Lebanese Green Beans
Lebanese Green Beans are a warm, spiced green bean dish, combining tomatoes, green beans, cinnamon and cumin.
Southern Green Beans
Southern homemade savory green beans.
Ejotes a la Mexicana
These Mexican green beans are ready in minutes and packed with flavor.

Libby & Aspen Links

Libby

Click on each image to get a direct link to CW/MARS Libby for magazines, e-books, and e-audiobooks about gardening that you can share with patrons:
magazines	e-books	e-audiobooks

Aspen

Currently available subject=gardening books in CWMARS can be found at:

https://www.cwmars.org/Search/Results?lookfor=%22Gardening%22&searchIndex=Subject&filter[]=literary_form%3A%22Non+Fiction%22&filter[]=format%3A%22Book%22&filter[]=availability_toggle%3A%22available%22&sort=relevance&view=list&searchSource=local&disallowReplacements

Replace www with your library to show books available at just your library. For example, to show search results from Greenfield Community College replace www with gcc:

https://gcc.cwmars.org/Search/Results?lookfor=%22Gardening%22&searchIndex=Subject&filter[]=literary_form%3A%22Non+Fiction%22&filter[]=format%3A%22Book%22&filter[]=availability_toggle%3A%22available%22&sort=relevance&view=list&searchSource=local&disallowReplacements

An Aspen Admin at your library can then share this search as a featured Browse Category (see this example from Hatfield Public Library).

Click on the image below for the CW/MARS Staff site information on Browse Categories and Lists: