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TUCSON - We've all checked out books from a library at one time or another, but in the near future, Tucson will have a library where you can check out seeds.

It's the brainchild of Native Seeds/Search, a local non-profit that has advocated seed conservation and sustainability for nearly three decades.

The organization also has one of the world's best bioregional seed banks.

Now the nonprofit is announcing the launch of Arizona's first seed library, planning to open its doors to the public mid-January.

It will function much the same as a book library.

People will be able to "check out" seeds, grow them, then keep a few plants in the ground to go to seed, and once that's done, they're asked to return the saved seed to the library, ideally twice as much as was borrowed.

The hope is that as the process continues year after year that the seeds in the library will become more productive and hardy by adapting to local growing conditions.

Native Seeds/Search says the process is taking off across the country, with more than 30 seed libraries currently underway.

"In the age of Monsanto and climate change, seed libraries are one of our best hopes for communities to really sustain their own local food production," says NS/S Executive Director Bill McDorman. "Communities are taking ownership of their seeds and expanding biodiversity and self-reliance in the process."

The grand opening for the seed library will be January 15 from Noon to 4:00pm.

The library will be located within the Native Seeds/Search retail store at 3061 N. Campbell.

Membership is free and everyone's welcome to attend the grand opening.