July/August 2026 | Volume 44, Issue 3 CLOSED CIRCUIT
Volunteer Newsletter
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A Volunteer's Perspective |
Dr. Kimberly Morrow celebrates 35 years of service with Audio-Reader this year. In response to a few questions, she shares her perspective on volunteering at Audio-Reader. Kim has also generously offered to share her writing and interviewing skills. She will have a regular column in our newsletter once again! It will feature interviews with volunteers and a insights from Kim as well. Thank you Kim!
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| Tell us about yourself
As a result of being born premature, I am totally blind from birth. After obtaining a Ph.D. in education from K.U., I worked in the nonprofit sector for 20+ years before starting my own business as a Library of Congress-certified braille proofreader and instructor.
I currently have approximately 90 online students from all over the world. I teach primarily sighted students the art of Braille transcription through the Library of Congress and the National Federation of the Blind. It definitely keeps me busy. I enjoy my job so much that it truly doesn’t feel like I’m even working.
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Why did you first get involved with Audio-Reader, and why have you stayed? I came to Audio Reader out f a desperate need to have academic materials read aloud to me. Then I began volunteering at AR. Those volunteer experiences, and the people at AR I met along the way, shaped my life. Serving on the AR Board has been one of the most rewarding experiences I could ever have. AR has given so much to me; it is an honor to have the opportunity to give back. Why do I stay? Because Audio-Reader truly is as much a part of me as is breathing. Where would I ever be without it?
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Wed 8/19 VCB - Content + Reading Tips |
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| AUGUST Topic:
Content + Reading Tips
Discuss content and reading tips from AI bylines, to transitions, wrap-ups. phrasing, pacing, mic fun and editing for time.
Stop by via zoom and share your tips and learn from fellow volunteers too!
Join us: Wednesday, August 19 at 2pm
Bring your questions to share.
Share your discoveries with fellow volunteers.
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Virtual Coffee Bar is a monthly zoom conversation for volunteers and guests; it is scheduled for the 3rd Wednesday of the month* at 2:00pm (generally 45 to 60 min). *Except for during summer/winter breaks- no VCB June, July, Dec
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Adjusted Time: Audacity with Steve Grimm |
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Steve Grimm, A-R Volunteer Broadcaster and Technology Friend, will be holding "office hours" for volunteers to zoom with him and ask questions one on one!
What a gift to our volunteer community!
Make a list of your questions and zoom with Steve on the first or third Monday of the month from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. We will use the VCB Zoom link as many of you have that on hand too. We moved the hour back thirty minutes to accommodate the start of the day at Audio-Reader.
Thank you Steve!
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Contact Information or Emergency Contact Changes? |
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Have you changed your phone number?
Maybe family members moved closer to towwn and your emergecny contact has changed?
Got a new email?
We want to keep in touch - please share updates when they occur. Just send an email to Trish tdk@ku.edu or give us a call at 785-864-6400. Thanks!
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Reader Tip: Wrap Up and AI bylines |
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When you are listening - perhaps to a radio show (three cheers for NPR) or perhaps to a podcast, sometimes your interest peaks about half-way through the show and you wonder about the details of the information and where to find out more. Our listeners are the same way. Be sure to offer a "wrap up" at the close of an article; restate the headline and the byline as you transition to the next article. Listeners will then be able to find out more about the interesting information you are providing. Thanks for all you do for our listeners!
If that byline mentions AI assistance was used in the creation of the piece, be sure to include that information.
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Garden Gathering - September - Join US! |
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The summer comes to a close; it is time to come together and share in the joy of the garden and prepare for the winter months. Keep an eye out for an invitation (date and time TBD) for the Fall Garden Gathering in September. Join us to enjoy the garden, refreshments and conversations and prepare the garden for change in season.
Meet new garden volunteers and maybe the construction will be done and we can sit quietly in the wonder of the garden!
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Our regular shared garden work times are Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30. The photo above is from our fall Garden Gathering in 2025.
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| The Audio-Reader Book Club meets every second Monday of the month at 1:30, at Audio-Reader in Lawrence but also have a zoom option.
The September book will be The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon and the discussion leader will be Jo.
Interested?
The Zoom link is https://kansas.zoom.us/j/96179712136
Passcode: 4600.
Reach out to Billie Archer bdaaks@gmail.com or ask Trish for more details.
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Audio Description - Upcoming Events |
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Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 pm |
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Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Starlight's Production of Disney's Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies."
When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
https://tickets.kcstarlight.com/newsies
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Accessibility Open House- Thurs, Oct 1 at 4:00 pm |
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Students are retuning- and traffic will be especially thick during the move-in dates on August 20 and 21.
Allow for EXTRA time when planning to visit the studios or anywhere on campus.
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Outreach- Share Audio-Reader |
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| Audio-Reader Outreach gears up for many events this fall. This year, we're adding a couple new events. Martha welcomes volunteer help with these.
If you like talking with our community members, listeners, and other service providers; and you want to share information about our services; what we read and how we connect listeners with community news, events and art--Become an OUTREACH Volunteer! Contact Martha for all the details. Check out these upcoming events!
Sat Aug 22, 7-9pm -new event KU's Union Fest (event to catch incoming and current KU students interested in getting involved)
Mon August 24, 6-8pm -new event Audio-Reader KU Open House (welcoming students to tour and learn about A-R on Mon August 24)
Sat Aug 29, 9am-3pm -new event Senior Health Fair at St. Monica's Catholic Church in KCMO
Sat, Sept 19, 8am-12pm Anybody can join the walk or volunteer to help - Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB) All-stars 5K! LINK
Thurs Oct 1, 2-4p -new event Lied Center Accessibility Open House
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SUBS Needed for Telephone Reader |
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| We are needing a few more Telephone Reader subs. Do you know how to read via Telephone Reader? You can do it at home with your cell phone and a headset!
Would you like to pick up an extra read?
Trish can show you the ropes. Please send an email to her at tdk@ ku.edu or check out the TeamUp page for assignments that need filling-- they are PINK and the entry starts with a P.
Here is a video on TeamUp if you need a refresher. THANKS for helping out!! We plan to have another New Volunteer Orientation and Auditions in September.
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