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G2S Project Code: 2022-IL-92391
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
Wabash Valley College Radio Information Service

Project Director
Director Name: Kyle Peach
Director Phone: 618-262-8989
Director Email: peachk@iecc.edu
General Information
Title: MATCH: Wabash Valley College Radio Information Service
State Project Code: MATCH: 23-2000-RIS
Start Date: 07/01/2022
End Date: 06/30/2023
Abstract: The Wabash Valley College Radio Information Services at Wabash Valley College provided readings by students and volunteers of local and national news publications through radio and internet broadcasts, which enabled people who were blind or print disabled throughout southeastern Illinois to stay connected and self-reliant. WVJC-RIS broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to connect listeners to their communities and allow them to be better informed citizens, and to gain access to print material that they were otherwise not able to read. This project 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 2: Lifelong Learning.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$0.00
$27,185.00
$0.00
$27,185.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Community Concerns
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Services for Print-Handicapped Listeners
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 provided information to the blind and print handicapped living in Mt. Carmel and the surrounding area. The purpose of the reading service was to help visually impaired, physically handicapped, and the elderly to participate more fully in our society. Radio Information Service gave them audio access (live and recorded readings) to the printed page: local daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and different types of books. It also offered audio (locally produced and national feeds) entertainment programs for their enjoyment and enrichment. The service provided in-depth and detailed reporting, previously found only in the printed medium, via the air waves and over the Internet. The combination made it possible for print-handicapped listeners to be current and knowledgeable about the world around them.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

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: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
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: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Illinois Eastern Community Colleges-Wabash Valley College
Address: 2200 College Drive
City: Mount Carmel
State: IL
Zip: 62863
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Broadcasting 24-7 was a major success this year, with 40 hours a week of locally produced programming. The RIS signal is now also broadcast over the internet which helps to reach a larger audience.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The RIS continued to broadcast seven days a week and 24 hours a day with 40 hours a week of locally produced programming. Regional coverage included the Evanston Courier, the Hometown Register, the Wayne County Press, and the Lawrenceville Daily Record.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The streaming provider does not offer a way to document the number of listeners to the service. The project continues to encourage this enhancement. Feedback from community members has been indicative of growth in listenership. Maintaining focus on community needs is of utmost importance.
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:
No
Explain:

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