Engaging with University History: Planting One Seed at a Time

Abbey Lewis and Sean Babbs, University of Colorado Boulder

Marketing Libraries Journal volume 9, issue 1, pages 47-74.

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Abstract: University archives often hold materials related to little-known aspects of university history. At the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), the libraries made use of an archival collection to develop One Seed, a seed giveaway program that told the story of how red sunflowers were originally cultivated there over 100 years ago. One Seed has been a popular program among students, university employees, and alumni, drawing attention to a unique part of university history, as well as the remarkable materials within the library archives. This article details the development and first three years of One Seed, showing how CU Boulder libraries used the program as an outreach tool while also forming partnerships across campus. Additionally, the article offers recommendations for replicating the program including considerations for state seed laws and institutional holdings.

Keywords: academic libraries, community engagement, library outreach, archival collections, partnerships, events and programming

 

Citation to article:

Lewis, A., & Babbs, S. (2025). Engaging with University History: Planting One Seed at a Time. Marketing Libraries Journal, 9(1), 47-74. https://journal.marketinglibraries.org/spring2025/04_MLJv9i1.pdf