September 24, 2025 3:30 a.m.

The Summer Reading Program is over, and the Roseburg Public Library is celebrating the success of 12 weeks of special activities and reading fun for all ages.

A city release said youth logged 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 was 217 youths submitting 1,534 reviews. Those numbers were down as well compared with last year when 276 children completed 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. Wiley loved watching some of Youth Services Librarian Aurora Ropp’s 73 special events that were enjoyed by nearly 3,800 people.

Wiley said, “Now that the dust has settled on this year’s program, we would appreciate feedback from children, parents and caregivers”. The Youth Summer Reading Program Survey can be completed at www.roseburgpubliclibrary.org  through Tuesday, September 30th.

The Summer Library 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.