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The Seed Exchange

About The Library

The Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens is part of the Public Libraries in Jefferson County, making it the only public horticultural library in the United States. Simply present your blue or black library card to check out one of over 8,000 books, DVDs, audio books and magazines from our circulating collection. As a full-service public library, we can access all of the vast resources of the entire Public Library System in Jefferson County. Stop by today and dig into our collection—your knowledge is sure to grow!

Hours of Operation

As of July 6, 2021the Library at the Gardens is officially operating at full service once again! Visit Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and browse our collection. We hope you'll pull up a chair and stay awhile!

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CLICK HERE TO SEARCH THE CATALOG OR RESERVE A BOOK

Complete list of newest available titles at JCLC

Contact Us

205.414.3920 | phone
205.414.3922 | fax

Got a gardening question? Email us

Original brochure for The Library at The Gardens 

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Give a Cutting, Take a Cutting!

The Library at the Gardens has a new program that propagation enthusiasts are sure to dig! Simply bring us a cutting rooted in water or soil (well-established roots are a must!), then choose a cutting from our collection to take home. Lavender, pothos, Christmas cactus, jewel orchid, flame violet, Chinese evergreen, umbrella plant, rosemary, and peperomia are available!

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Winter Family Geocaching Scavenger Hunt

December 1, 2021–February 28, 2022

All ages welcome (registration required)

Free and open to the public

This winter, the Library at Birmingham Botanical Gardens will partner once again with North Shelby Library for our popular community scavenger hunt program. Put on your sleuthing hats, and join in for some family fun with this virtually aided, seek-and-find scavenger-style hunt to explore what's hidden in plain sight at the Gardens! We provide the clues and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) coordinates; you and your teammates try to spot your target using your GPS-enabled device. Then enter your team in a prize drawing for a chance to win a Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens gift basket or gift card. Registered teams of 1–6 members with adult supervision required.

Visit northshelbylibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar or call 205.439.5504 to register or learn more.
 

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Community Seed Swap

Saturday, January 29 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Strange Auditorium at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Free and open to the public

Join the Library at the Gardens as we celebrate National Seed Swap Day with our first-ever Community Seed Swap! Bring any open-pollinated, heirloom seed you would like to share: locally saved seeds, specialty seeds, or excess seeds you purchased.

Learn tips and tricks, take home books, and chat with others who share a love of seed saving. For more information, contact Library Director Hope Long at [email protected] or 205.588.4593.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the Community Seed Swap, contact Alice Thompson Moore at [email protected] or 205.533.7659.
 

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Honey for Sale

Take advantage of the Library at the Gardens' curbside service to purchase locally sourced honey from Birmingham Botanical Gardens' hives or honey flavored in cinnamon, lemon, or jalapeño from Ivy Brook Apiary.

Cost: $10/bottle (Birmigham Botanical Gardens)
Cost: $7-12 (Ivy Brook Apiary)

Call 205.588.4593 or 205.533.6062 to schedule a pickup between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.