This year the library has decided to implement a summer reading program for adults for the first time in many years. The program needed to  be 

• low cost - no commercial printing, no custom materials. To keep costs low I made our materials available online and encouraged patrons to print from home
• self-directed - the circulation staff is understaffed and constantly busy. Patrons needed to be able to do the contest from beginning to end with minimal staff involvement
• simple - no pre-registration, no sign-up period, no detailed rules and stipulations
• doable - the tasks had to be hard enough to constitute a 'challenge' but not too difficult. Accommodations were made for language-learners and slow readers by adding non-reading challenges that were still on theme like cooking or walking

Above all this, the program had to be attractive and fun to attract patron interest in the first place. From the beginning it was clear that the prizes were not going to be the great motivator. There was just no room in the budget for a substantive award. The contest itself would have to be the draw. A reading challenge would offer a sense of purpose and internal accomplishment. Many regular patrons are overwhelmed with the selection and turn to librarians for ideas or themes - these were the kind of people I thought might like this contest., and presenting quality recommendations were a key component.