Don Geier, director of Tillamook County Library, briefed the Tillamook County Board of Commissioners on the library’s 2025 summer reading program, Level Up, which begins June 9 and runs through Aug. 2 with prizes distributed through Aug. 31.

The program’s goals are to encourage summer reading across age groups, reduce the “summer slide” in learning and create welcoming community spaces, Geier said. “This year is, I think, going to be the best year we’ve had yet,” he said, describing a focus on games, puzzles, crafts and incentives for children, teens and adults.

County staff and library leaders told commissioners the program includes several accessibility and outreach changes intended to boost participation: a simplified one-sheet sign-up available in English and Spanish, a streamlined game-board format with stickers and hexagon goals for completion, fewer but more focused crafts (a children’s coloring book and an older-kids zine), and distributed prize fulfillment throughout August instead of a concentrated two-day event.

Geier said the library foundation and community businesses contributed dozens of community prizes, including gift certificates to local coffee shops, bookstores and eateries, and that grand prizes for adults are funded by the Tillamook County Library Foundation. He also noted a staff in-service day on June 5 for summer reading preparation and that prize handouts begin June 16.

The library will run daily free summer lunches at the main branch, 11:30 a.m.–noon Monday–Friday, and the bookmobile will deliver lunches to Glen Haven and Champion Apartments on Wednesdays and Fridays. New this year, Garibaldi Branch will host summer lunches on Wednesdays and Fridays provided by Meals for Seniors; details on additional days will be released in library announcements.

Commissioners praised the program’s outreach and the lunch service. One commissioner said the program “enhance[s] quality of life” and thanked staff for expanding access. Geier invited commissioners to attend the summer reading celebration (date to be announced) to be hosted at the Tillamook Coliseum Theater.

The board received the presentation; no formal action was required.