diff --git a/akd/crates/reader/src/config.rs b/akd/crates/reader/src/config.rs
index ee43275a1b..54e30095ee 100644
--- a/akd/crates/reader/src/config.rs
+++ b/akd/crates/reader/src/config.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@ pub struct ApplicationConfig {
     /// Maximum number of labels allowed in a single batch lookup request. Defaults to 10.
     #[serde(default = "default_max_batch_lookup_size")]
     pub max_batch_lookup_size: usize,
+    /// Optional polling interval for AZKS storage in milliseconds Should be significantly less than the epoch interval. Defaults to 100 ms.
+    #[serde(default = "default_azks_poll_interval_ms")]
+    pub azks_poll_interval_ms: u64,
 }
 
 fn default_web_server_bind_address() -> String {
@@ -25,6 +28,10 @@ fn default_max_batch_lookup_size() -> usize {
     10
 }
 
+fn default_azks_poll_interval_ms() -> u64 {
+    100
+}
+
 impl ApplicationConfig {
     /// Load configuration from multiple sources in order of priority:
     /// 1. Environment variables (prefixed with AKD_READER) - always applied with highest priority
diff --git a/akd/crates/reader/src/lib.rs b/akd/crates/reader/src/lib.rs
index bbd0dcf6ed..d414d962d2 100644
--- a/akd/crates/reader/src/lib.rs
+++ b/akd/crates/reader/src/lib.rs
@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@ pub async fn start(
     let mut shutdown_rx = shutdown_rx.resubscribe();
 
     let max_batch_lookup_size = config.max_batch_lookup_size;
-    let handle = tokio::spawn(async move {
+    let axum_handle = tokio::spawn(async move {
         let app_state = AppState {
-            directory: directory,
+            directory: directory.clone(),
             // publish_queue: publish_queue,
             max_batch_lookup_size,
         };
@@ -56,6 +56,19 @@ pub async fn start(
             "Reader web server listening"
         );
 
+        // polls azks storage for epoch changes. This is necessary to pick up newly published updates.
+        let _poll_handle = tokio::spawn(async move {
+            let result = directory
+                .poll_for_azks_changes(
+                    tokio::time::Duration::from_millis(config.azks_poll_interval_ms),
+                    None,
+                )
+                .await;
+            if let Err(e) = result {
+                tracing::error!("Error polling for AZKS changes: {:?}", e);
+            }
+        });
+
         axum::serve(listener, app.into_make_service())
             .with_graceful_shutdown(async move {
                 shutdown_rx.recv().await.ok();
@@ -66,5 +79,5 @@ pub async fn start(
         Ok(())
     });
 
-    Ok(handle)
+    Ok(axum_handle)
 }