Special Checkouts
Seed Library
Green Thumbs, Green Minds is dedicated to increasing library usage and community involvement, food independence in Alameda, transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next, and the diversity of edible plant life and nurturing strains suited to Alameda’s specific environment. The Seed Library is located in the Main Library, 1550 Oak Street, Alameda.
Printable Resources
General information about the Seed Library
English(DOC, 351KB) Chinese(DOC, 354KB) Spanish(DOC, 393KB)
How to save seeds
English(DOC, 480KB) Chinese(DOC, 483KB) Spanish(DOC, 918KB)
If you are looking for seeds for a particular plant and can’t find them, then look up their family name in the Plant Index, which is available at the Seed Library and below.
Plant Index - English(PDF, 203KB)
Plant Index - Spanish(PDF, 90KB)
Other Resources
Organizations
Alameda County Master Gardeners
BASIL (Bay Area Seed Interchange Library)
Ploughshares Nursery
Gardening Calendar courtesy of Alameda County Master Gardeners
Tool Lending Library
The Tool Lending Library is focused on handheld gardening equipment. The tools are searchable through our catalog with images of the tools. To see a list of all tools type “Tool Lending Library” as a keyword. Tools check out for one week and must be returned to the Main Library’s front desk in clean and working order. There are fees for dirty tools.
Located on the second floor of the Alameda Free Library at 1550 Oak Street, Alameda.
The Tool Lending Library is made possible by a grant from the Bay Area Library and Information System Innovation Fund Program BALIS,with the assistance of Ploughshares Nursery
Brochures and Forms for Tool Library
Brochure-English(PDF, 281KB)
Brochure - Espanol(PDF, 280KB)
Tool Library Waiver Form-English(PDF, 28KB)
Tool Library Waiver Form - Espanol(PDF, 29KB)
A hotspot provides a portable wi-fi connection. Connect your devices to the internet without wires. The Alameda Free Library has hotspot kits available for a 3-week checkout. Each kit includes the hotspot, instructions card, charging cable, and a case.
The Alameda Free Library has a limited supply of Windows 11 Laptops for use within the library or for a 3 day checkout.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Pick up a jigsaw puzzle to complement your next adventure! Puzzles range in difficulty from 500-1500 pieces. Puzzles may be checked out for 3 weeks. Check them out at, and return them to, the Reference Desk on the second floor at the Main Library, 1550 Oak Street.
Board Games
Board games for all ages are available for check out. There are "old school" games as well as brand new games. Try one out. Games may be checked out for 3 weeks. Check them out, and return them to, the Children's Desk on the first floor at the Main Library, 1550 Oak Street
Interested in picking up a new hobby? Pathway to Learning Kits are here to help get you started.