The SIRIS Advisory Board hosted the annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on April 26th. The picnic turned into an "indoor" picnic due to the monsoon weather! This year's Volunteer of the Year is Kimberly Mahoney.  Kim has been reading for SIRIS since 2007, and is also a member of the SIRIS Advisory Board. She is currently serving her second term as Secretary for the Board. You can read more about Kim in the May issue of the WSIU Signal online newsletter. SIRIS volunteers received certificates of appreciation and a drawing was held for door prizes. To see more photos from the event, visit our Photo Gallery.

SIRIS Classic Vinyl & Media Sale The SIRIS Classic Vinyl & Media Sale was a big success! A BIG thanks to all the volunteers who helped collect and sort the donations, fix the electronics, and staff the event. Imagine not being able to read the daily newspaper or your favorite magazine. Let SIRIS give you back what you've been missing The Southern Illinois Radio Information Service, SIRIS, is a community service of WSIU Public Broadcasting which provides a reading and information service for individuals who are blind, visually impaired and print-disabled. Any person in the WSIU-FM (91.9) or WVSI-FM (88.9) listening area whose eyesight or physical condition makes it impossible to read a newspaper or book qualifies to receive the SIRIS broadcast. How does it work? SIRIS programming is broadcast on a subcarrier frequency of the WSIU-FM and WVSI-FM main signal. The broadcast can only be heard on a special radio receiver that is pre-tuned to the SIRIS broadcast. These receivers are provided at no cost to qualified listeners in our region. SIRIS is funded in part by WSIU Public Radio , Southern Illinois University Carbondale, United Way of Southern Illinois, and the Illinois State Library and from donations from supporters in our region. How do I get more information? You can request an application by contacting the SIRIS office at 618-453-2808, or download the application here. You can fax the application to 618-453-2801 or mail it to: SIRIS 1003 Communications Bldg 1100 Lincoln Drive Mailcode 6602 Carbondale, IL 62901 After receiving your application, a radio will be shipped to you. The radio will be loaned to you as long as you desire, and can be renewed each year. Volunteer Readers Learn more about our volunteer readers through our volunteer profiles. Volunteers play an important role in providing this valuable community service. Why not consider becoming a SIRIS volunteer? If you have an understandable voice and a love of reading and can spend a half-hour weekly reading a local newspaper, we'd love to have your help. Volunteers are required to schedule an orientation and short audition with our staff. The short audition includes reading a newspaper article. To become a SIRIS Volunteer Reader contact our office at 618-453-2808. Photo: Tedda Becker received an award for SIRIS Volunteer of the Year, 2009. Tedda has served SIRIS for many years, both as a reader and as an Advisory Board Member.