Want to try your hand at nurturing plants from seed? Have a blooming garden that’s producing more seeds than you can manage?

Many towns across the state have seed libraries, mostly housed in public libraries. These are free and accessible ways to acquire and occasionally donate seeds.

Auburn Public Library

49 Spring St., Auburn

Visitors interested in trying new seeds should visit the reference desk. Each person is limited to six seed packets at a time, with the exception of pole beans.

Camden Public Library 

55 Main St., Camden 

Vegetable, fruit, ornamental and herb seeds are available on the first floor in the rotunda next to the circulation desk. Visitors are limited to three packages per visit and one packet per variety. To donate seeds, fill out a form when dropping off. 

Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick 

23 Pleasant St., Brunswick

The library puts out new seed varieties each Tuesday at 4 p.m. and the website links to information about how to grow certain types of plants. 

Kennebunk Free Library 

112 Main St., Kennebunk

The library has a seed cabinet and is requesting donations of viable flower or vegetable seeds.

Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

215 Main St., Yarmouth

The seed library, which is periodically restocked from March through September, is on the second floor near the information desk. Several local companies donated seeds, and visitors are limited to three seed packs per week. 

Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland 

266 Main St., Cumberland

The library provides seeds grown and harvested within the community, including flower, herb, flower-herbs and vegetables. Visitors are asked to limit their haul to five seed packets and are encouraged to bring in seed packets to donate. 

Scarborough Public Library 

48 Gorham Rd., Scarborough 

Donate labeled seed packets in an envelope in the designated dish in the seed library. Volunteers divide up the seeds so that more people can sample each variety. 

Thompson Free Library, Dover-Foxcroft

186 E Main St., Dover-Foxcroft

The library has a seed library that’s kept stocked through donations from community members and donors. 

Waterville Public Library

73 Elm St., Waterville

The library offered more than 20 varieties of seeds including tomato, pumpkin, summer lettuce mix beginning on the spring equinox and while supplies last.

Wells Public Library 

1434 Post Road, Wells 

The seed library includes flowers, root vegetables, herbs, bean, corn, gourd, fruit and more. Each person is allowed to select three seed packets.