RSSRecording Library of West Texas hits air waves – Mywesttexas.com:
Jun 25
bbc Radio Frequency daily bible verses, launch, listeners, radios No Comments
For Norma Lewis, sounds provide an avenue into the world.
Having lost her sight 17 years ago because of complications fromdiabetes, the former school teacher relies on her ears to keep upwith the news, entertainment and even her daily Bible verses. Sowhen staff at the Recording Library of West Texas delivered a radioto her home this week tuned to a station filled with reading, Lewissaid she was overjoyed.
“Lord, I read almost everything on there,” she said of thestation. “I guess it takes the place of not seeing.”
The Recording Library of West Texas officially launched itsradio station June 17 and this week started passing out radios tosupport groups for those with visual impairments, said ExecutiveDirector Trish Speight. the nonprofit purchased 200 radios througha grant and will continue distributing them through the summer andfall to give more listeners a chance to participate in theirprograms.
“I think we’re going to expand a lot,” she said. “It will bumpall of our other services up, too.”
The organization has been working several years to launch itsradio station, Speight said. Before getting to the point it couldsearch for a station to carry its signal, the library had totransition its recording booths — where volunteers read books,magazines and newspapers — into digital technology and also had topurchase new software and other equipment.
Then, before hitting the airwaves, administrator Michael Toddhad to stream the reading content online. the radio station thenlaunched this month through the edge 106.7 FM’s signal. Thefrequency was previously unused and can only be picked up throughcrystals in certain radios, which is why they’re distributingradios already programmed and ready to go.
Use of the space on the station was donated by ICABroadcasting.
Each hour on the station is dedicated to a specific program,with the Reporter-Telegram, Odessa American and Wall Street Journalcoming on every day and others at various times during the week. Atvarious times during the day, a recorded book will play and thenpick up the next day where it left off.
Some programs are recorded by other organizations part of theInternational Association of Audio Information Services and thenpulled from their websites into the Midland organization’sprogramming schedule. Others, like area newspapers, Texas Monthlyand grocery store ads, are read by Midland volunteers, Speightsaid.
On Saturdays, entertainment programs including “The BlindHandyman,” “Soap Opera Digest,” and “People Magazine,” arefeatured. Todd said the schedule may shift as they continueperfecting the system, but that for now they’re glad it’s up andrunning.
In the future, Speight said, they also hope to host and recordtheir own radio show where they’ll invite guests from othernonprofits their listeners could benefit from knowing about.
After the radios are distributed and the radio station has beenfunctioning for awhile, Speight said they may look at streaming thereading content elsewhere, as well. Whether that’s on Basin PBS orthrough a machine that can be played through intercom systems atnursing homes, Speight said there are lots of options.
“Now we can distribute it in as many different ways as there aremethods,” she said.
Virginia Brooks, who was provided a radio Tuesday, said she’sjust starting to use the device but thinks it will be great. Brookssaid she used to subscribe to the newspaper but when her sightstarted going had to give it up.
With the Telephone Reader service the Recording Library offersand now with the radio station, Brooks said she should be able tohear all of her local news.
“I’m quite anxious to get started,” she said.
Kathleen Thurber can be reached at kthurber@mrt.com.
To volunteer or apply for a radio, call 682-2731.
