Library celebrates Summer Reading Program

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Summer Reading Program may be over, but Roseburg Public Library still is basking in the glow of an amazing 12 weeks of special activities and reading fun for all ages.

Youths logged an outstanding 354,480 minutes of reading. More than 300 children read at least seven hours, and 246 of them completed the program by reading for 21 hours. Although 72 fewer youth participated in the program than last year, there was an increase of 58 children who completed it.

The book review portion of the program remained popular with 217 youths submitting 1,534 reviews. Those numbers, too, were down compared with last year (276 children and 2,106 reviews).

The library distributed 3,000 new, free books at the library and during outreach events. Library Director Kris Wiley said her favorite part of the Summer Reading Program was watching kids select books for their personal libraries when they logged seven hours of reading. She also loved peeking in at some of Youth Services Librarian Aurora Ropp’s 73 special events that were enjoyed by nearly 3,800 people.

“Now that the dust has settled on this year’s program, we would appreciate feedback from children, parents and caregivers. Please complete the “Youth Summer Reading Program Survey” on the library’s website at www.roseburgpubliclibrary.org by Tuesday, Sept. 30. Your comments and suggestions will help shape next year’s program,” Wiley said.

Adult readers also participated in the Summer Reading Program -- 61 people logged 1,059 books. That was the same number of readers as last year, but they read 96 more books.

Also, 67 adults submitted 441 book reviews -- a decrease of 21 readers and 195 books compared with last year.

“Our Summer Reading Program for youth was made possible by Mike and Barb Coen, Douglas County Cultural Coalition, Friends of the Roseburg Public Library and the State Library of Oregon,” Wiley said. “A special thank you to Karen and Jon Wittwer for donating prizes for readers.”

The Summer Reading Program for adults was made possible by the Friends of the Roseburg Public Library, Wiley added.

“A special thank you to Roseburg Public Schools for welcoming us at Winchester Elementary School and the Lunchbox Express program; staff at the Boys and Girls Club of the Umpqua Valley and Sunshine Park Apartments for hosting us throughout the summer; the Roseburg Parks and Recreation Department for making space for us at the Stewart Park Pavilion and mowing around the StoryWalk®; and our volunteers, who made ‘Harry Potter Day’ extra special,” Wiley said.

“Finally, thanks to all of you who logged your reading, wrote and drew book reviews, and attended programs. You are the reason we’re here,” she said.