San Francisco, CA
New 'seed lending library' taking root at San Francisco's Bayview branch
San Francisco library lets you borrow seeds to plant for free
San Francisco Public Library is branching out beyond books by starting a seed library that lets users borrow seeds to plant for free. Library officials in the Bayview District say they hope this lending library literally takes root.
SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Public Library has launched a new kind of lending library at the Bayview Branch, planting seeds of knowledge in a very different way. The collection sits on a table near the courtyard, tucked away in an old, wooden card catalog.
Inside each drawer are small paper packets containing ten or more seeds, available for people to come and take for free as part of a pilot program called the “seed lending library.”
“Our seed library doesn’t require a library card at all,” Lucy Chiem, the Bayview Branch Youth Services librarian explains, opening the drawers labeled now with different vegetables and herbs. “Patrons can take whatever seeds they would want to grow and once they harvest it, they just bring the seeds from their harvest back.”
Librarians hope the tiny seeds will open a bounty of learning for people to learn about nature, biology, urban gardening, and even health and nutrition.
It has also become an inspiration, even for the most seasoned library staff.
“I never knew there was a dragon tongue bean,” Chiem said. “We have herbs like chives, mint, oregano, and parsley. Our herbs have been going the fastest. They’re the most popular right now.”
Staff say they’re already seeing many community members donating seeds from their own community plots or personal gardens.
Jaime Wong, a library spokesperson and novice gardener, said she is taking some seeds to her community garden plot in the Bayview.
“The seed lending library is very much in tune with the library’s mission, which is to help people to grow and to learn, find new hobbies, just discover new things about themselves,” Wong said.
“We’re trying to engage a space where community members can talk with each other, can learn together and find their own community,” Chiem said. “When we get to witness that, it’s very heartwarming.”
The Bayview branch is one of three locations that have the “seed lending library” pilot program so far, along with the Portola and Potrero branches. Library staff say they are open to expanding to other locations if neighbors in those areas express an interest.
Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. Email Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com or call her at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU.
What’s New
Hilton hotel workers in San Francisco voted on Christmas Eve to approve a new union contract after a 93-day strike, according to the Unite Here Local 2 union.
The union, which represents about 15,000 workers in the region, announced that the deal settles the last of the city’s 2024 hotel strikes, covering approximately 900 Hilton workers.
Newsweek has contacted Unite Here Local 2 and Hilton via email for comment.
Justin Sullivan/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Why It Matters
The new contracts after this year’s strikes establish significant improvements in wages, health care and workload protections for workers at Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott-operated hotels.
The agreements conclude months of labor unrest that involved thousands of workers and disrupted San Francisco’s hotel industry.
What To Know
Hilton workers voted 99.4 percent in favor of the agreement on Christmas Eve, which includes a $3 per hour immediate wage increase, additional raises, and protections against understaffing and increased workloads.
The four-year contract preserves affordable union health insurance and provides pension increases. The deal covers workers at Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55, with 650 workers having actively participated in the strike.
This agreement follows similar contracts reached with Hyatt workers on Friday and Marriott workers last Thursday, covering a total of 2,500 workers who had been on strike since late September.
What People Are Saying
Bill Fung, a housekeeping attendant at Hilton San Francisco Union Square for 29 years, said: “These 93 days have not been easy, and I’m so proud that my coworkers and I never gave up. We stood together through the rain and cold, and even though there were some hard days, it was all worth it. We will go back to work with our health care, good raises, and the confidence of knowing that when we fight, we win.”
Lizzy Tapia, President of Unite Here Local 2, said: “Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott workers refused to give up their health care or go backwards – and we proved on the picket line that we’re not afraid of a tough fight. As contract talks begin with the city’s other full-service hotels in the new year, they should know that this is the new standard they must accept for their own employees.”
San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie said on X: “All those that have been out on strike will be back to work, and just in time for Christmas. So, things are looking bright as we head into 2025.
What Happens Next
Unite Here Local 2 said it would push for other full-service hotels in San Francisco to adopt the same standards established by the Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott agreements when contract negotiations resume in 2025.
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