Pima County Public Library invites you to the grand opening of its Seed Library and introducing the new Pima County Public Library Bookbike!

Saturday, January 28
10am – 5pm
at Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone (south of Alameda) in downtown Tucson

Special guests will offer presentations and demonstrations about planting, cultivating, and harvesting your own food. Find out about resources for experienced gardeners, as well as ideas about getting started with your own patch. Get a look at the Bookbike and hobnob with bicycling enthusiasts.
The Seed Library

In the case of Pima County Public Library’s seed lending library, it’s a collection of edible, decorative, and herb seed varieties that community members will borrow, use to grow plants at home, and then return a portion of the seeds they harvest at the end of the season. Over time, the seed library’s collection will become self-sustaining and most importantly, the seeds will become super seeds–strong, resilient, and well adapted to Arizona’s harsh climate.

And, a Bookbike?

The Bookbike, and Bookbike volunteers, will represent Pima County Public Library at events in Tucson. Bookbike volunteers will stock the shelves of the Bookbike then accompany and assist the Pima County Bike Ambassador, who will ride the Bookbike to the event. The books will be given away free of charge to readers.

Grand Opening Activities

Talk with folks from local seed and garden organizations
Native Seeds/SEARCH, Sustainable Tucson, Marana Heritage Farm, Community Gardens of Tucson, Tucson Organic Gardeners, Arizona Native Plant Society, and others.
Photographic Wheat Murals
The Youth Photo Farm Project, with photographer Josh Shacter and Marana Heritage Farm, will create photographic wheat paste murals on the library’s exterior.
Demonstrations and Workshops
Autonomous Community Sustainability Project will bring a hand-cranked acorn mill and have an indoor milling demonstration.
A thirty minute workshop by Tucson Village Farm.
Seed Ball drop-in workshop by Josh Banno of Dry River Radical Resource Center.
“What is food mapping?”, you ask. Katie Martinez will explain.
Planting in soil? Marana Heritage Farm will demonstrate best practices.

Schedule of Events
Seed Library Grand Opening (and Bookbike Introduction)

Saturday, January 28, 2012
11:00am – 12:30pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Why Organic and Seasonal is Best
Why eating seasonal organic food makes sense. How to meal plan using seasonal produce and how to store your farmer’s market bounties.
Presented by Certified Health Coach, Nutritional Educator and Culinary Playshop Artist, Tiffany Rose Wood

1:00pm – 2:30pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Plan Your Garden Space
Use Legos to plan out your garden space. Plant a seed to take home.
Presented by the Community Food Bank

3:00pm – 5:00pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Forks Over Knives Film Screening
In the film “Forks Over Knives” the idea of food as medicine is put to the test. Throughout the film, cameras follow “reality patients” who have chronic conditions from heart disease to diabetes. Doctors teach these patients how to adopt a whole foods plant-based diet as the primary approach to treat their ailments – while the challenges and triumphs of their journeys are revealed.

So if you’re interested in this seed lending library and about planting, or the Bookbike, show up on Saturday at the Main Library to learn more.

UPDATE: 5 libraries will have these seeds to lend out: Main, Ajo, Himmel, Flowing Wells and Quincie-Douglas.