The Southern Gulf Island Libraries are proud to partner with community groups to support local food security and to encourage islanders to grow their own food. Gardeners can enjoy fresh produce, and are asked to collect and drop off extra seeds to help build strong and varied seed collections.
Our Seed Libraries provide free seeds for vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers, with varieties best suited for our local climate, seasons, and growing conditions. Stop by the libraries below to pick up free packets of seeds and borrow books about gardening and growing food.
Pender Island Seed Library
The Pender Island Public Library has partnered with the Gulf islands Food co-op!
Launched in February 2021, the Pender Island Seed Library is housed in the Pender Island Public Library. The program aims to provide food sustainability through abundance, education, and growing plants from seeds given to the community.
This program was made possible through a partnership between the Library and The Gulf Islands Food Co-op. The Food Co-op is a non-profit group that connects the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada (Pender, Mayne, Saturna and Galiano islands).
Their Mission is facilitating inter-island cooperation in order to create new resources and practical supports, for our amazing Southern Gulf Islands food producers, valued eaters, and local food sustainability! This includes welcoming Indigenous producers from these Coast Salish traditional territories, and also following up on key priorities of the Southern Gulf Islands Food & Agriculture Strategy.
CONTACT: info@gulfislandsfoodco-op.org
Telephone: 250-629-0039
Mailing Address: 4323 Bedwell Harbour Road, Pender Island, BC, V0N 2M1, Canada
Mayne Island Seed Library
Launched in 2022, the Mayne Island Seed Library is housed in the Mayne Island Community Library. Support is provided by the Mayne Island Agricultural Society. Our Seed Library is a collection of open-pollinated, ecologically grown seeds available for the Mayne Island community and maintained by the community (yup, you!).
When you participate in the Mayne Island Seed Library, you are contributing to food and seed security on Mayne Island. If you live and garden on Mayne you may borrow seeds and in return, we request that you save seeds and return some to the library. This way, the library will be able to maintain its supply of seeds for future seasons. Seeds can be dropped off at the Mayne Island Community Library.
For more information on this program check out their website: www.miseeds.ca
or email : Mayneislandseedlibrary@gmail.com
Saturna Island Seed Library! 
Launched in 2023, Saturna Seed Sharing is a volunteer-run program of the Saturna Island Community Library that aims to connect growers in the community and strengthen food security on Saturna Island.
To “borrow” some seeds, stop by the Saturna Island Community Library on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11 am -1:00 pm.. Contact us at SaturnaSeedSharing@gmail.com
Need more information on growing food?
For more information on seeds, savings seeds and more, check out these great websites!
https://www.saltspringseeds.com/
https://www.westcoastseeds.com/
Your local Library has tons of great gardening books as well (check out the call number 635). Books on gardening and savings seeds, greenhouses, soil, deer resistant garden design, compost, and so much more!
