In 1971 in Sun City, Arizona,

a small group of volunteers tape recorded local news for residents who were no longer able to read print because of various declining vision or other physical problems.  From the beginning, these weekly news recordings have been provided free of charge.

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​​Magazine audio recording began originally with "Modern Maturity," AARP's magazine and continues at present with "Arizona Wildlife Views," "Native Peoples," "Humanities," "Sports 'n Spokes," "D-Backs Magazine" and "The Journal of Arizona History."  The first magazine recording was started in 1972 and the others have been added more recently.  The same year,  local volunteers began book recording (novels and non-fiction) in conjunction with the Arizona Braille & Talking Book Library.

 

In August, 1973, the not-for-profit corporation was chartered.  One of the original incorporators, James M. Geer, would be a Director and guiding force for more than 23 years.  Since that time, a continuous line of volunteers have provided RRRB's services...this, in addition to the financial support of our donors, has enabled us to acquire and use the very best recording and reproduction equipment available! 

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Until April, 1974, recording was done in borrowed space.  The Del Webb Development Company then made available 400 square feet of space in the Sun City Professional Building.

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Growth of Recorded Recreational Reading for the Blind, Inc. (RRRB) soon created a new shortage of space.  The local Lions' Clubs came forward and helped underwrite construction of a new building.

 

Total funding came from the Lions, several other local service clubs, a number of individual donors and the Del Webb Development Company. 

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Dedication of the building was held early in November of 1980.  Since the year 2005, RRRB has changed to computerized digital software and the recording studios have increased from one to three. As well, RRRB has kicked off a streaming radio station, KRUV Radio Sun, as the voice of the valley volunteers. All just the latest in the growth of this remarkable entity.

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​Once located in a very significant "back corner"

​of the RRRB Studios was a maintenance facility - manned from the early 1990's to Spring of 2014 by members of TelecomPioneers.  There, retired employees of various telecommunication companies were busy repairing the analog and digital players used by Talking Book patrons from around the southwest United States. 

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Supervised by Rudy Sikler (shown in center, above, a Board Member of RRRB and TelecomPioneers member), the group was dedicated to "keeping the players playing" for patrons using the Talking Book Service of the Library of Congress.  In  2012, a thousand hours were invested by this volunteer group in this necessary endeavor!  Sadly, the operation was closed down in Spring of 2014 as the NLS now issues only Digital Recorders, and they have consolidated repair operations for those to a few locations scattered across the United States. 

 

We are extremely indebted to TelecomPioneers for their years of dedication and volunteering.