From 1,700 to 143,000: How OPL’s Common Soil Seed Library Rooted Itself in Omaha

What started with one librarian and a dream for Omaha in 2012 has grown into one of the Omaha Public Library’s (OPL) largest and most circulated collections: the Common Soil Seed Library.

Launched at the Benson Branch in 2013, the Common Soil Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds that patrons can borrow to plant at home. Its mission is to encourage a culture of abundance and food literacy, promote urban agriculture, and increase the diversity of open-pollinated plants at the local level. Patrons can check out 15 seed packets a month, and access information about the growing conditions needed for those plants to thrive.

Data from the collection’s inaugural year shows that OPL distributed just over 1,700 seed packets. Since then, demand has grown exponentially. In 2025, OPL distributed 143,163 seeds — a 54 percent increase from the previous year.

These numbers don't happen overnight. Building, sustaining, and tracking such a large collection requires significant behind-the-scenes effort. First, inventory must be secured to meet the demand of the spring and fall planting seasons. Working with vendors, the OPL Collection Development team purchases seeds just as they would for any other library collection. The Omaha Public Library Foundation helps make this possible by providing supporting funds.

While the majority of the collection is purchased, OPL accepts donations of open-pollinated, heirloom, or locally saved seeds. By saving seeds as a community, Omaha residents help future plants become better acclimated to the local climate and less susceptible to disease.

Once the seeds arrive, they are packaged into envelopes and added to the OPL inventory. Each packet contains a minimum of 10 seeds. Every branch has a liaison who monitors the collection and requests refills when stock is low. These liaisons also record data on which seeds are most popular. By tracking inventory, OPL allows patrons to place holds and request transfers to their home branch if a specific seed is unavailable.

So, which seeds are the most popular? Cilantro takes the top spot, followed by zinnias and marigolds. For those who can’t decide what to plant, OPL allows 15 packets per month allowing for a diversity of plants. Because availability is dependent on the season, staff members encourage patrons to check back regularly to see what is in stock. And with the addition of the new Central Library, which will feature its own garden with many native plants, a number of native flowers, plants, and grasses are coming soon to the Seed Library for the first time!

The data speaks for itself: Gardening is thriving in Omaha. Jeff McWhorter, OPL’s senior manager of branches, joined the system after working at the Pima County Public Library in Arizona, which served as the inspiration for many seed libraries across the country.

“It’s not just a hobby,” McWhorter said. “I think this really does help some people sustain nutrition in their family during the months that they can grow. As food prices rise, that’s another generator of interest in seed libraries. People want to help supplement their grocery bill each month.”

Whether you are an experienced green thumb or a beginner looking to learn a new skill, the Common Soil Seed Library is the perfect place to start. OPL regularly offers programming on gardening basics and maintains a deep collection of instructional books to provide guidance. Stop by your local branch today to pick up your seeds!