The Hillyard branch of the Spokane Public Libraries has gone to seed.

A one-time card catalog has been converted into a storehouse for hundreds of varieties of vegetable seeds available free to the public. You don’t even have to have a library card! All the library asks is that those who take seeds dry a few from their harvested crop to return to the library so the variety remains available to gardeners the next year.

On a recent rainy, cold afternoon a couple dozen optimists had signed out seeds for starts indoors.

The collection is part of the “Library of Things” that complements traditional library materials like books and recordings.

Access to materials such as this Seed Library will be preserved or expanded if voters approve Measure No. 1, which will be on the April 25th ballot. The measure renews a levy lift of seven cents per $1,000 valuation endorsed by voters 2-1 in 2013.

Support the measure and keep the bounty of library resources available to all.