Owen Hanba, 12, a Boy Scout in Troop 1 in Park Ridge, has created a seed library as part of his Eagle Scout project. It will be housed at the Park Ridge Public Library so patrons may take, plant and grow seeds.A Park Ridge Boy Scout is partnering with the Park Ridge Public Library and the Park Ridge Garden Club to create a seed library, which will enable residents to get seeds and receive tips on how to grow them.
Hanba, a Boy Scout for two years in Troop 1, said an Eagle Scout project requires Scouts to practice leadership skills, partner with a nonprofit organization, and give back to the community. He explained he chose his project because he was surfing the internet one day and learned that other public libraries offer seed libraries, and that he thought creating one for the Park Ridge Public Library would dovetail with his interest in gardening.
Hanba said he had to fundraise about $800 for the project, much of which went to buy the former library card catalog that now houses the seed packets. He also spent money to buy supplies and raffle prizes for Saturday’s event. Park Ridge Public Library cardholders can select up to 10 seed packets per patron on a first-come, first-served basis, according to library officials. The seed library will include more than 400 varieties of herb, vegetable and flower seeds, they added.