(1) The general assembly hereby declares that there is a growing need for reading services in Colorado to serve the citizens of the state. The general assembly recognizes that the state has numerous citizens who are blind or visually impaired or who have physical impairments which make the use of printed materials difficult or impossible and further recognizes that the aging of the population of Colorado is increasing the number of such citizens. Because of the need for reading assistance to inform and inspire individuals who cannot use printed materials and because of the unique ability of radio reading services to reach individuals in every corner of the state who require reading services, the general assembly finds that radio reading services should be encouraged and should be made available throughout the state.
In addition to any other powers granted to the state librarian under this article, thestate librarian shall have the power with respect to the state library to contract with entities for the furnishing of radio reading services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired or who have physical disabilities which impair their use of printed materials.
The furnishing of radio reading services shall include, but shall not be limited to, theproduction of reading service radio programs, the broadcast of reading services over a subcarrier frequency, and the provision of radio receivers to listeners for use in receiving reading service broadcasts.
The reading materials for radio reading services shall include, but shall not be limitedto, newspapers, periodicals, local calendars of events, consumer information, best seller books, and information concerning pending legislative matters.
The general assembly hereby recognizes the importance of privately operated reading services to enable those persons who cannot effectively read newspapers or other printed documents to gain access to such otherwise inaccessible print materials. The state librarian shall have the authority to administer funds in the reading services for the blind cash fund, which is hereby created, for the support of said privately operated reading services. The fund shall consist of any public or private moneys transferred, appropriated, or otherwise credited thereto. All moneys credited to the fund and all interest earned on the investment of moneys in the fund shall be a part of the fund and shall not be transferred or credited to the general fund or to any other fund except as directed by the general assembly acting by bill. The general assembly shall make annual appropriations from the reading services for the blind cash fund to the state librarian to carry out the purposes of this subsection (5).
Source: L. 91: Entire section added, p. 906, § 1, effective March 11. L. 93: (2) amended,
p. 1663, § 69, effective July 1. L. 98: (5) added, p. 1361, § 121, effective June 1.