The Swampscott Public Library is hosting Garden Day on Saturday, May 9, which will also coincide with the launch of the new seed catalog.

Garden Day will take place at the library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local nonprofit Change is Simple, along with the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association, will present all-ages programming on the topics of native plants, pollination and gardening. Sign-ups for the summer reading program, “Plant a Seed, Read,” will also begin Saturday.

Pots, soil, and seeds will be available while supplies last.

Saturday will also mark the debut of the library’s new seed library.

“Ours is essentially seeds that are available for everyone, anyone that wants to come and take them,” Adult Programmer Dave Archer said. “It’s not like your typical library where you’re borrowing items and then you’re returning items. These are just seeds for anyone. You don’t have to have a library card.”

Archer noted that programs with the Swampscott Conservancy have been “really popular” and that Salem State has gardening programs for the Explorers program as Marblehead has a plant sale Mother’s Day weekend. He said the seed library “fits the bill” for what patrons are looking for.

The seeds range from strawberries to cilantro, beets and gourds as well as radishes and chives.

“I’m hoping that not knowing how to garden doesn’t dissuade anyone from participating in the seed library because it really is just a great way to access some garden supplies and try something out at home,” Archer said. 

At Saturday’s event, volunteers will be stationed in the library’s Raymond Room, talking about the seeds and offering assistance as they can. After the weekend, the seed library will be available in the lobby.

Lindsey Schotke, of Big Blue Bargains, and Ashley Gruellmans partnered with Archer to create the library, he said. Gruellmans “helped secure the largest seed donation through the Hart Seed Company in Connecticut.” Volunteer Erin Pierce also assisted in putting seeds in envelopes. 

The group hopes to focus more on native seeds going forward.

“Pollinator plants are important for ecosystems. They’re sort of the bottom rung ecosystem, and without native plants, we have no pollinators,” Pierce said. “With climate change, we’re having native plants that need to be here because other plants don’t work as well with the climate and pollinators and everything. They’re just an important part, especially in urban environments.” 

Archer expects the seed library to grow in the future as well.

“I think we’ll offer some programming around (gardening),” Archer said, “maybe some literature as well.”