Audio Reading Service Department Upgrade and Expan
Allen County Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
The Audio Reading Service at the Allen County Public Library provides audio access to printed news and information for people who have difficulty seeing, holding, or understanding traditional printed materials. The largest number of listeners report low vision. Our goal is to provide equitable access to information, as well as connection and inclusion in our greater community. Our audio is available via over-the-air broadcast, as well as through digital platforms and streaming services.
In 2025, we upgraded our recording and broadcast equipment for improved quality and efficiency, launched a new accessible TV channel, expanded our services to include a wider range of materials available to read for each program, added PSAs about other library services, and added Audio Description to our programs. This upgrade and expansion has allowed for better audio quality, easier access, more relevance to a larger range of listeners, and the addition of cultural content alongside printed text.
Challenge/Opportunity
Studio technology had not been updated in 19 years.
Studio equipment was analog and required manual processes that could not be automated.
TV access was available, but restricted to a Secondary Audio Program that required special settings that were difficult for listeners to find and use, often for the same reasons they have difficulty reading printed materials.
Programming content has historically been for adults and seniors, with one program geared toward children in grades 3-6, but nothing for Pre-K/early learning.
Several publications had closed/lapsed, and content for some programs was no longer very robust.
Audio Description was limited to images accompanying articles, based on reference information rather than professional training, and often performed inconsistently and “on the fly.”
Our library offers unique cards depicting local public art that listeners did not have descriptions of, as well as a wide range of free services that listeners may not know about.
Key Elements of Innovation
A grant was obtained from local partner AWS Foundation for studio equipment, allowing us to remodel our studios, upgrade furniture and technology, and contract with a broadcast engineer who provided guidance, equipment, and training.
Staff set up new recording suites with the new equipment, and developed new automated processes.
Our local PBS Fort Wayne TV station obtained a grant to launch a new standard digital over-the-air broadcast channel for people to access our audio.
We selected and added new sources to nine programs, including readings from Dolly Parton Imagination Library books to our children’s program, for early learning and development.
Our department staff have undergone Audio Description training with Audio Description Specialist Bonnie Barlow.
We wrote descriptions of our new library cards, and produced PSAs about numerous free services that ACPL provides.
We initiated a listener survey to collect additional data for further program evaluation.
Achieved Outcomes
The recording process is simplified for volunteer readers, and production time is improved.
Listeners can access our audio on TV without special settings.
Nine of our programs have improved relevant content.
Staff prepare professional descriptions of publication covers, other relevant images.
PSAs cover the ACPL diversity statement, digital resources, Library At Home delivery, other initiatives and departments.
We count listeners through free HD Radios we loan out, as well as online streaming, digital downloads, podcasts, and our audioblog website. This also provides data about which programs are listened to, and when.
Our listener survey provided more in-depth information about respondents’ demographics and preferences, and we will implement annual surveys going forward.
Listener comments include:
- "The Audio Reading Service keeps me abreast with current events."
- "I appreciate all the choices there are for listening. Thank you."
- "The Audio Reading Service is comforting."
