USU to close blind radio reading service

LOGAN - After 34 years of delivering news and information to Utah's blind and disabled, the Utah State Library's Radio Reading Service will cease operation on April 21, 2010. The closure is due to difficult economic times and continued reductions in the State of Utah's budget.

This comes after recent changes to programming created a 24/7 broadcast; incorporated recommendations from the members of the Library's Consumer Advisory Committee; and added programs using third party sources (e.g. National Public Radio) to meet programming criteria requested by the listening audience.

Attempts were also made to web stream the broadcast, but issues involving technology and copyright law hindered the completion of the project, thus limiting the number of patrons who use the service. Coverage was not statewide but along the Wasatch Front, from Ogden to Provo. And, with the number of listeners declining and the state budget troubles, the operation became impossible to maintain.

"The Radio Reading Service has supported our blind and disabled patrons for 34 years by broadcasting local newspapers, obituaries, grocery ads, magazines and books," says State Librarian Donna Jones Morris. "The radio station has relied on over 100 volunteers - we could never have provided the service without their dedication."

The Radio Reading Service faced additional disadvantages when state agencies began to operate 10 hour days, Monday through Thursday making it difficult to deliver broadcasts in a timely manner.

The last day the Radio Reading Service will provide programming is April 21, 2010.