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G2S Project Code: 2019-IL-83825
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
Wabash Valley College Radio Information Service

Project Director
Director Name: Jerry Bayne
Director Phone: 618-263-5120
Director Email: baynej@iecc.edu
General Information
Title: Wabash Valley College Radio Information Service
State Project Code: MATCH-20-2000-RIS
Start Date: 07/01/2019
End Date: 08/15/2020
Abstract: The Wabash Valley College Radio Information Services at Wabash Valley College provides readings by students and volunteers of local and national news publications through radio and internet broadcasts to enable people who are blind or print disabled throughout southeastern Illinois to stay connected and self-reliant.  WVJC-RIS broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help connect listeners to their communities and allow them to be better informed citizens of Illinois, and gain access to print material that they would otherwise not be able to read. This project encouraged a literate Illinois by creating a reading culture; supported information fluency and lifelong learning; and aligned with the federal LSTA priority to target services for persons having difficulty using a library.
State Goal: Goal 1: Access to Information and Ideas.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$0.00
$27,185.00
$0.00
$27,185.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Education
Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Wabash Valley College Radio Information Service
Narrative:
The WVC Radio Information Service is a department within the Wabash Valley College Radio and Television Broadcasting program in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. The service provides information to the blind and print handicapped living in Mt. Carmel and the surrounding area. The purpose of the reading service is to help visually impaired, physically handicapped and the elderly to participate more fully in our society. Radio Information Service gives them audio access (live and recorded readings) to the printed page: local daily and weekly newspapers, magazines and different types of books.  It also offers audio (locally produced and national feeds) entertainment programs for their enjoyment and enrichment. The service provides depth and detail of reporting, previously found only in the printed medium, via the air waves and over the Internet. The combination makes it possible for print-handicapped listeners to be current and knowledgeable about the world around them. One of eleven reading services in Illinois, Radio Information Service is a member of the International Association of Audio Information Services, an association of 96 operating programs of this kind throughout the United States, and the Illinois Radio Information Service (IRIS).

Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Other
Format: Digital
Other: Audio recordings of printed news sources for the blind and print disabled


Quantity


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: Yes
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Wabash Valley College
Address: 2200 College Dr.
City: Mount Carmel
State: IL
Zip: 62863
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Broadcasting 24-7 is our major success this year, with 40 hours a week of locally produced programming. We have been streaming our signal for three years and we believe that our listenership is increasing. Based on 2016 census data, Library of Congress estimates that 1,647 individuals are eligible for this service in Wabash County
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
We continue to be exceptionally proud of the fact that we are able to stay on the air 365 days, 24 hours a day, with only a minimal amount of interruptions. We are a dependable service and our patrons know that we conscientiously follow our announced program schedule. We continue to require students who are enrolled in the WVC Broadcasting program to read printed materials for broadcast on RIS.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The student requirement has been of great benefit to our reading service and has become valuable experience for students entering the broadcasting profession. It is an ongoing sincere effort and commitment that we have to review our programming schedule and to improve our readings for our patrons. We attempt to be responsive to suggestions or criticisms from our patrons. It is our earnest intent to use our administrative skills to evaluate and improve our service.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
Yes
Explain:
Because of the coronavirus pandemic and "Shelter at Home" mandate, we operated without students from March 13 until June 15. Our staff handled RIS duties in the absence of our student readers. We utilized our studio individually and we wipe down equipment and the workspace after each shift. Like many IRIS operations, the 4th quarter continued to pose challenges because of the pandemic. Our student readers were able to return in June and our staff certainly appreciated that relief in producing content.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: radio, blind, print disabled