Mass Aggie Seed Library

The Mass Aggie Seed Library has moved to a new dedicated space within the Science & Engineering Library. All the same seed goodness, with some added resources, and a new color scheme.

The Drawing Collections Series is comprised of a kick-off workshop and a number of informal gatherings in the Mass Aggie Seed Library and collections around campus focused on slow seeing and drawing.  This project is funded by the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

This series is in collaboration of Katherine Doyle, the Curator of the UMass Natural History Collections.  The goals are to highlight collections around campus, connect people to one another through a shared experience, give participants a chance to slow down, see and draw the world with its beauty, and foster a grounding daily drawing practice.

Tentative Schedule Fall 2025:

• Friday 19 September - Kick-Off Workshop - Science & Engineering Library Classroom
  Studio - 2-4pm     Registration is required and limited - email masl@umass.edu to register
• Wednesday 1 October - Mass Aggie Seed Library 3 - 5pm (drop in style)
• Wednesday 8 October - Natural History Collections Morrill Noon - 2pm (drop in style) 
• Wednesday 22 October - Mass Aggie Seed Library 3 - 5pm (drop in style)
• Wednesday 29 October - Morrill Greenhouse Noon - 2pm (drop in style) 
• Wednesday 5 November - Mass Aggie Seed Library 3 - 5pm (drop in style)
• Wednesday 12 November - Herbarium Morrill Noon - 2pm (drop in style) 
• Wednesday 19 November - Mineral Collection Morrill Noon - 2pm (drop in style) 
• Wednesday 3 December - Insect Hallway Fernald Hall Noon - 2pm (drop in style) 

The Mass Aggie Seed Library is housed in the Science & Engineering Library located in the Lederle Graduate Research Center Lowrise at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  The Seed Library is open for all to use on a self-service, non-mediated basis during the hours the Science & Engineering Library is open.

Are you coming to visit the Mass Aggie Seed Library for the first time from off-campus?

The Science & Engineering Library is open Monday - Friday, and Sunday's.  Please feel free to contact me for a personal tour.  The seed library is completely self-serve and non-mediated.  And please remember to sign the guest book!

Science & Engineering Library is located in the Lederle Lowrise on the very north end of campus.  

What’s new in the Mass Aggie Seed Library?
New things you might notice: 
Some drawers are labeled by family 
The card catalog seed drawers are a bit messy (overflowing with goodness)
Separate drawers with mystery seeds labeled "Who Knows"   

With patrons returning donated seeds in a variety of packaging, the seed envelope sizes are uneven, and therefore, the seed drawers are a bit messy to accommodate the variety of envelope sizes. 

"Who Knows" contains those seeds that do not meet our mission of organic, open-pollinated seeds, items donated with unclear labeling, or those seeds out of date.  Instead of throwing them away, we offer them this understanding as a way to learn about seed issues.  Be Curious - ask us why they are separated from the other seeds!  What makes them different?