Illustrative photo: a raised bed with young lettuce and marigolds and a watering canIllustrative photo

Seed libraries in Illinois

132 seed libraries are listed in Illinois. 93 of them list at least one borrowing rule, such as whether you need a library card.

60 of the 132 listings are shown below so far; the others are added in stages.

Seed libraries

10 match

The map loads in your browser.

Edwards River Public Library Seed Library

Aledo, Mercer County, Illinois

Hosted by Edwards River Public Library District

  • No library card needed
  • Self-serve
  • Donations accepted
  • Return encouraged, not required
  • Pick up in person

How much: “Suggested 3-5 packets”

Season: “Seasonal; may not be open all year”

Rock Island Public Library Seed L!brary

Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois

Hosted by Rock Island Public Library

Where to find it: “Downtown Library near Circulation and Reference desks; small catalogs at Southwest and Watts-Midtown Branches”

  • No library card needed
  • Self-serve
  • Donations accepted
  • Return not expected
  • Pick up in person

How much: “5 different packets per family per month”

Season: “March through September (2026 opened March 17)”

Tinley Park Public Library Seed Library

Tinley Park, Cook County, Illinois

Hosted by Tinley Park Public Library

Where to find it: “Seed Library shelves at Tinley Park Public Library”

  • No library card needed
  • Self-serve
  • Donations accepted
  • Return not expected
  • Pick up in person

How much: “Up to 5 packets encouraged”

Season: “Year-round”

Elmhurst Public Library Seed Library

Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois

Hosted by Elmhurst Public Library

Where to find it: “Lobby near the stairs”

  • No library card needed
  • Self-serve
  • Donations accepted
  • Return not expected

How much: “5 packets per household per visit”

Season: “March - November”

Not listed: Reserve online

Wood Dale Public Library Seed Library

Wood Dale, DuPage County, Illinois

Hosted by Wood Dale Public Library District

Where to find it: “Print catalog near Print/Copy/Scan station; pickup at Public Services Desk”

  • No library card needed
  • Ask staff
  • Donations accepted
  • Return encouraged, not required
  • Reserve online

How much: “10 packets per household per year, 1 per variety per person”

Not listed: Season

Algonquin Area Public Library Seed Library

Algonquin, McHenry County, Illinois

Hosted by Algonquin Area Public Library District

Where to find it: “Adult Services desk, Main Library on Harnish Drive”

  • No library card needed
  • Ask staff
  • Return not expected
  • Reserve online

How much: “20 varieties per household per calendar year”

Season: “Opened spring 2024”

Not listed: Donations

East Alton Library Seed Collective

East Alton, Madison County, Illinois

Hosted by East Alton Public Library District

Where to find it: “East Alton Public Library District; selections taken to circulation desk”

  • No library card needed
  • Ask staff
  • Donations accepted
  • Return encouraged, not required

How much: “12 packets per calendar year”

Season: “Primarily maintained February-October; checkout year-round”

Not listed: Reserve online

O'Fallon Public Library Seed Library

O'Fallon, St. Clair County, Illinois

Hosted by O'fallon Public Library

Where to find it: “Magazine room, O'Fallon Public Library”

  • No library card needed
  • Self-serve
  • Donations accepted
  • Return encouraged, not required
  • Pick up in person

How much: “One seed packet per plant per household”

Not listed: Season

Niles-Maine Seed Library

Niles, Cook County, Illinois

Hosted by Niles-Maine District Library

Where to find it: “Main floor Commons area, Niles-Maine District Library”

  • No library card needed
  • Self-serve
  • Return encouraged, not required
  • Pick up in person

How much: “5 packets per family per visit”

Season: “March 15 - April 15 (page also says April 30), while supplies last”

Not listed: Donations

Chatham Area Public Library

Chatham, Sangamon County, Illinois

Hosted by Chatham Area Public Library District

Where to find it: “Seed Library at the library (donation box next to it)”

  • No library card needed
  • Donations accepted
  • Pick up in person

How much: “2 packets per day”

Season: “Opens March 26 for 2026 growing season”

Not listed: Bringing seed back · Browsing

Distances are straight-line, not driving or walking routes. Listings without a map position are shown last.

What the listings in Illinois say

Counted from the 132 listings in Illinois; 93 (70%) state at least one rule. Many don't say - we count only what is listed.

123 listings have a map position; 9 do not.

Seed libraries by county

Nearby states: WisconsinIndianaMichigan

Something out of date? Email support@seedlibrarymap.cc

All states

Listings updated November 2026