Library celebrates Summer Reading Program

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Before library staff knew it, another Summer Reading Program came and went at Roseburg Public Library.

The 12-week program flew by with book giveaways, arts and crafts, Harry Potter Day and special presenters.

This was the library’s sixth Summer Reading Program, and what staff observed – and statistics support – was a similar response from patrons compared with the 2023 program.

The library distributed 3,500 new, contemporary books throughout the summer during outreach events and at the library – 400 more giveaways than last year.

Those free books sparked youth participants to rack up 6,000 reading hours on three logs; each log represented seven hours of reading.

In addition, 188 children and teens logged 21 hours of reading each and were eligible to win one of three $200 gift cards to TenDown Bowling.

The book review program remained incredibly popular with youth of all ages submitting 2,106 reviews for 34 different prizes.

The program for adults also remained steady, with 61 readers logging 963 books.

The youth book review program has been so popular that library staff expanded the program to include adults, who submitted 636 reviews.

Patrons checked out 21,200 physical and 8,500 digital items during the Summer Reading Program -- a 4% increase in circulation compared with last year.

Nearly 23,000 people visited the library between June and August -- an 11% increase over 2023.

Library Director Kris Wiley and Youth Services Librarian Aurora Ropp said they could not produce the program without a lot of support, including fiscal sponsorships from Friends of the Roseburg Public Library, State Library of Oregon, C. Giles Hunt Charitable Trust, Douglas County Cultural Coalition and Roundhouse Foundation.

“A special thank you to Karen and Jon Wittwer, the Seeley family and the Jardon family for donating books and prizes. And much gratitude to library staff and volunteers for their patience, good humor and hard work,” said Wiley, who added a shout-out to Roseburg Public Schools for welcoming library staff at Winchester Elementary School and the Lunchbox Express program.

Staff at the Boys and Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley and Sunshine Park Apartments hosted library staff throughout the summer. Wiley and Ropp also appreciated the opportunity to distribute free books, craft kits and reading program information at Kids Safety Day sponsored by CHI Mercy Health and Sherm’s Thunderbird Market.

Roseburg Parks and Recreation continues to be an amazing partner, providing space at the Stewart Park Pavilion, welcoming library staff at their “Movies in the Park” program and working around the StoryWalk®.

“Finally, thanks to all of you who logged your reading, wrote and drew book reviews, and attended programs. You are why we do this, and we’re already planning big things for 2025,” Wiley said.

This Week’s Library Event

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. – Online Book Group (email kwiley@roseburgor.gov for the Zoom link)