Library Services FAQs

  • Curbside

    Curbside service continues to be available the Main Library and the North Branch.

    Curbside Service Instructions

    1. Place items on hold through the online catalog
    2. Wait for notification that your materials are ready
    3. Pull up at a designated curbside parking spot and call the number listed on the sign
      • Don't have a cell phone? Call (616) 355-3700 to schedule a pickup appointment at the Main Library. Call (616) 738-4362 to schedule a North Branch pick up appointment.
    4. When finished return library materials to the parking lot dropbox
      • Return items that can not be placed in the drop box by following step 3 to return items curbside
    5. Browsing New and Express Materials for Curbside On-Demand:
      • Express and new items that are normally first-come, first-serve and cannot have holds placed on them are available for browsing inside the building and are available through curbside on demand.

  • Seed Library

    The 2025 season begins Thursday, March 20.

    Seed libraries are a lot like other kinds of libraries! Their main purpose is to share or lend seeds to a community. Seeds libraries encourage gardeners to save quality seeds that are suitable for the local growing area. Successful seed libraries can even preserve rare or heirloom seeds from the area as well. 

    During the growing season, visit our repurposed card catalog (at either location) and select the seeds you’d like to try growing. There is no need to check out the seeds like you would with other library materials. We do ask that you not take more than you are willing to plant and that you consider saving some seeds to “return” to the seed library for others to “borrow” next year.

    We have many print materials available at the library with information about seed saving! We have also compiled seed saving information online from websites we like, if you prefer online sources.

    Both the Main Library and the North Branch have donation envelopes and a seed donation box located near the seed library catalog. Please fill out the donation form on the outside of the envelope as thoroughly as you can before dropping it off inside the donation box. If your donation is too large to fit through the slot, please speak to a staff member at the Information Desk.

    Please thresh your seeds. Processing donations takes a lot of staff time, which can be saved if your donations are ready-to-plant and not still inside pods, fluff, wet, etc. 

    We encourage everyone - newbies and professionals alike - to try out the seed library! But if you’re new to gardening, you may have more success with an easy-to-save seed such as a green been or snap pea. Read more about seed saving for the first time.

    Herrick District Library offers occasional programming in conjunction with the seed library. Check out the events page for updates on this! 

    Please contact us at seeds@herrickdl.org.