Audiobook collection selection at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna

In libraries, audiobook collections consist of audio materials containing recorded readings of books or narrations of other written works. These collections are typically available in either digital or physical formats, such as cassettes, CDs, or flash drives. Audiobooks are loaned to patrons as a means of providing accessible information, particularly for individuals with visual or reading impairments. The Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna plays a vital role in delivering literacy services, including Braille reading training and access to audiobooks, to enhance the reading skills of persons with disabilities. As an institution dedicated to providing information access for individuals with visual impairments, the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna serves individuals, groups, and organizations across Indonesia by producing Braille books and audiobooks. These materials are internally produced and distributed to visually impaired users in libraries, special education schools (SLB), social welfare institutions (LKS), rehabilitation centers, and non governmental organizations (NGOs) (OHH Ditjen Rehsos, 2020). Audiobooks are literary works presented in audio format, allowing users to access and comprehend content through listening. Generally, there are two types of audiobooks: Digital Talking Books (DTB) and Talking Books (TB). DTBs are typically in digital formats, while TBs remain in analog formats, such as cassette tapes. “The TB format represents the early form of what is now known as digital audiobooks” (Thirasi, et al., 2015). In libraries, audiobook collections are composed of audio materials that include voice recordings of books or other written narratives. These are available in digital or physical formats—such as cassettes, CDs, or flash drives—and are loaned to patrons to enhance accessibility for those with visual or reading disabilities. Visual impairment is classified as a sensory disability, in which individuals experience partial or complete loss of vision (Khairunnisa, 2024). According to Law No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities, individuals with long-term physical, intellectual, mental, or sensory limitations often face challenges in interacting with their environment and performing daily activities. The law categorizes disabilities into four types: mental, intellectual, physical, and sensory—of which visual and hearing impairments are included (Indonesia Pemerintah Negara Republik, 2016). The information gap between the general public and persons with disabilities is a critical issue that demands immediate attention to foster a more inclusive and equitable society. This disparity is largely due to uneven information dissemination, where existing media and communication channels often fail to consider accessibility for people with disabilities (Poerwanti, Makmun, & Dewantara, 2024). While the general public enjoys broad access to various information sources—such as print, digital, and audiovisual media—accessibility needs of persons with disabilities are frequently overlooked, limiting their ability to obtain and process information. Individuals with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments often encounter significant barriers due to media not being designed with their needs in mind. For example, videos without audio descriptions hinder access for the blind, images without alternative text impede screen reader use, and overly complex content is inaccessible to those with cognitive limitations. The scarcity of reading materials in Braille further exacerbates the lack of access to essential information. Addressing this gap requires greater awareness from all stakeholders, including government bodies and information providers, regarding the importance of accessibility. “Accessibility is essential to ensure the independence and participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life” (Nuraviva , Harsasto , & Alfirdaus, 2017). The implementation of universal design principles and the provision of assistive technologies must be prioritized to ensure that information is accessible to all, including persons with disabilities. This would enable them to participate more actively in social, economic, and political life and to enjoy equal rights within society. The limited availability of specialized collections such as Braille books and audiobooks is a major factor contributing to the information access gap for individuals with visual impairments. Existing collections tend to focus on static, essential materials such as the Qur’an and traditional Indonesian (Bela, 2024). This indicates a significant lack of access to more diverse literature for the visually impaired. Furthermore, the high cost of producing Braille books and the requirement for Braille literacy among users present additional barriers to access (Poerwanti, Makmun, & Dewantara, 2024). Law No. 8 of 2016 mandates that “the government and society must facilitate persons with disabilities by providing accessible formats of information” (Indonesia Pemerintah Negara Republik, 2016). This aligns with Law No. 43 of 2007, which emphasizes that libraries are required to provide facilities, infrastructure, and services that are accessible to persons with disabilities. “Libraries are obligated to support individuals with disabilities by offering collections and facilities tailored to their needs, such as assistive technologies, specialized collections, and reading materials accessible to the visually impaired” (Indonesia, P. N. R, 2007). In line with efforts to ensure equitable access to information and knowledge, the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemensos RI) provides government support through the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna by delivering literacy services to individuals with visual impairments. Sentra Wyata Guna functions as a national referral center aimed at fulfilling the rights of persons with visual disabilities to access information by providing materials in Braille and audiobook formats (Humas Ditjen Penyandang Disabilitas, 2021). Audiobooks are literary works presented in audio format, enabling users to access and comprehend content through listening. According to Purnamayanti & Putri (2020), audio media serve as an affordable and accessible source of instructional material for the public and can be easily replicated by students for recording and organizing learning content. This ensures consistent and structured use, making audiobooks a valuable tool for independent learning. Narrators read the text sequentially and provide explanations for images and illustrations found in printed books. “Audiobooks can be accessed easily through devices such as smartphones, computers, or laptops” (Purnamayanti & Putri, 2020). Numerous studies have explored collection development for persons with disabilities. One such study by Sari & Masruri, titled Stages of Collection Development for Persons with Disabilities Academic Libraries (Sari & Masruri, 2020) published in Jurnal Pustaka Ilmiah, Volume 6, Issue 2, aimed to examine the stages of collection development at the Library of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, focusing on students with disabilities. The study employed a qualitative descriptive approach using interviews and observations. The findings revealed that the library had implemented the collection development model proposed by Evans, which includes six components: community analysis (in this case, the user community), selection policy, selection, acquisition, weeding, and evaluation. The study highlighted that both non-disabled and disabled students at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta share similar knowledge needs and attend the same classes, but differ in their modes of access. Students with disabilities receive additional support through audio, visual, and other resources to facilitate access. One key finding emphasized that the selection of library materials specifically for students with disabilities is a critical process. Selection is based on the type and quality of materials, ensuring they support students’ academic advancement and are suitable for inclusion in the library’s collection. A major challenge faced by students with disabilities is information retrieval, which requires appropriate support through knowledge resources and retrieval systems, particularly electronic media. Thus, while the selection process mirrors that for the general student population, the distinction lies in the retrieval process and the media used. Based on the background outlined above, the central research question of this study is: How is the audiobook collection selection process conducted at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna? This question arises from the library’s significant role in providing inclusive literacy access for the visually impaired through the development of audiobook collections. Audiobooks serve as a crucial solution to overcoming information access barriers for individuals with visual impairments, especially given the limited availability of suitable reading materials in Indonesia. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the selection process involved in developing audiobook collections at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna in Bandung.

This study investigates the selection and acquisition process of audiobook collections at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna. Research on audiobook collection development requires an in depth examination of field phenomena. To achieve this, the researcher employed a methodology suited to the environmental context and capable of providing a comprehensive understanding grounded in empirical data. Accordingly, a qualitative case study approach was adopted to systematically and factually describe the research object and subjects, enabling a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding audiobook collection development at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna. A case study is a qualitative research method that involves an in-depth investigation of individuals, groups, institutions, or other entities over a defined period. The aim is to derive meaning, explore processes, and gain a holistic and nuanced understanding of specific individuals, groups, or situations. Data in case study research are collected through documentation, interviews, observations, and the review of documents relevant to the research topic (Yin, 2022) (Sari & Masruri, 2020). The researcher initiated the case study with a structured sequence of steps. The first step involved designing the research plan, followed by data collection through observation, interviews, and literature review. The collected information was then organized and analyzed. This method was chosen to gain deep insights by capturing the perspectives of informants through interviews, particularly regarding strategies for audiobook collection development, which is the central focus of this study. Informants were selected using purposive sampling. According to (Lenaini, 2021) purposive sampling is “a strategy used to select research subjects based on criteria predetermined by the researcher.” In this study, informants were chosen based on specific considerations to identify those most knowledgeable about the research subject. The criteria for informant selection were: (1) individuals currently managing audiobooks at the Braille Library, (2) individuals with in-depth understanding of collection development processes at the library, and (3) individuals aligned with the research objectives, particularly in audiobook management and collection development. Based on these criteria, four key informants were identified: the Chief Audiobook Editor (Informant 1), Audiobook Editorial Staff (Informant 2), Librarian (Informant 3), and Collection Development Expert (Informant 4). Data collection involved both fieldwork and literature review. “The literature review was conducted using various sources such as articles, journals, and documents relevant to the research topic” (Surani, 2019). Sources included books, legislation, scholarly articles, and other relevant literature. The literature review helped define the scope of the research problem and provided theoretical grounding. Field data were collected through discussions, observations, and interviews with key informants. These methods were used to obtain primary data on the selection and acquisition processes of audiobook collections. The next step was data analysis, which was conducted descriptively through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. Data reduction involved selecting information relevant to the research focus, thereby identifying the data needed for subsequent collection. This step facilitated the researcher’s ability to determine which data to prioritize. Data presentation included concise descriptions, diagrams, and illustrations of the audiobook collection selection process at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna in Bandung. The data were presented descriptively to enhance clarity and support planning for subsequent steps. Conclusions were initially provisional and subject to change as new data emerged. Final conclusions were drawn once the data were validated and demonstrated consistency.

The Braille Library at Sentra Wyata Guna provides specialized literacy services in Braille and audiobook formats for persons with disabilities, aiming to ensure equitable access to knowledge and information. The institution is responsible for printing and publishing books in Braille and audiobook formats, thereby offering individuals with visual impairments the opportunity to continue learning and developing through various literacy media. These literacy programs extend beyond book provision and include Braille reading training and access to audiobooks, with the goal of enhancing reading skills among individuals with visual impairments. The audiobook production process at Sentra Wyata Guna involves several stages: narration, editing, revision, re-editing, creation of master CDs and flash drives, and duplication into multiple copies. The Braille and audiobook materials produced are not only available at the Sentra Wyata Guna Library but are also distributed to other libraries, special education schools (SLB), social welfare institutions (LKS), rehabilitation centers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to be utilized by individuals with visual impairments. This library development reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the literacy rights of persons with visual impairments through institutional reforms and efforts to improve library facilities and accessibility. Currently, the Braille Library at Sentra Wyata Guna holds a collection of over 10,000 items, comprising 3,724 titles: 2,871 Braille book titles, 510 audiobook titles in CD format, 340 titles in cassette format, and 3 titles for low-vision users. The collection spans a wide range of subjects, including general works, encyclopedias, bibliographies, philosophy, psychology, religion, the arts, and more. It also includes school textbooks for elementary, junior high, and senior high levels, as well as other subject-specific materials (Indonesia, 2023). Through these efforts, Sentra Wyata Guna promotes educational and literacy inclusivity for the disability community and contributes to improving the quality of life and independence of its users. These programs also reinforce the library’s role as a resource center accessible to individuals requiring information in alternative formats. Despite the substantial and diverse audiobook collection already produced, the demand for accessible information among persons with visual impairments continues to grow. The existing collection does not yet fully meet the literacy needs of this community, particularly in terms of the availability of high-quality and relevant audiobooks. To address this, the Braille Library at Sentra Wyata Guna actively develops its collection by producing new audiobooks tailored to the needs of educational institutions, social organizations, libraries, and individual users with visual impairments. This development focuses not only on increasing the quantity of materials but also on ensuring that the available resources are accessible, useful, and aligned with user needs. A precise and effective selection process is therefore essential to produce audiobook collections that are relevant and impactful. According to the Indonesian Braille Literacy Center (Indonesia, 2023) selection is a decision-making process involving the evaluation of materials that provide information on similar subjects, assessing whether the content justifies the cost, and determining the durability of the material under expected usage. The selection process in libraries can refer to the National Library Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. 6 of 2022 on Library Collection Development Policy. This regulation defines selection as the evaluation of desiderata and consideration of various proposals to determine which materials should be acquired by the library, in accordance with user needs and collection development policies. “Selection is a critical step in ensuring the quality of library collections” (Suharti, A. D., 2018). The process involves identifying materials to complete bibliographic data using various selection tools, such as bibliographies, publisher catalogs, book reviews, user suggestions, and needs assessments. Verification follows, checking whether the material already exists in the collection through databases or self-lists. If the material is already available, a decision is made on whether it requires revision or reprinting before being included in the selection alongside new materials. The final selection and verification list serves as the basis for acquisition decisions. Selection is thus a process of determining which materials should be acquired for the library collection. As Suharti (Suharti, A.D., 2018). notes, it is one of the most important activities in library material management and an integral part of collection development. Effective selection requires a thorough understanding of library usage characteristics, as this directly influences the choice of information sources. The process is not merely about identifying suitable materials but also about prioritizing those that are essential, necessary, less critical, of high quality, or supplementary. Field research findings indicate that the selection of audiobook collections at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna is conducted by an editorial board responsible for determining which books will be produced as audiobooks. Book selection is based on user needs, evaluations, and requests from relevant institutions (Tri, 2020). The production target is set at 5 to 10 titles per quarter, or approximately 30 titles per year. Selected books are formally handed over to the production unit to initiate the audiobook creation process. This target aligns with the Budget Requirement Plan outlined in the library’s collection development policy. In this phase, the editorial board at Sentra Wyata Guna is responsible for selecting audiobook titles to be made available to users. This aligns with the statement by Mahesa, Chaerani, & Rukmana (2025) who note that “Librarians, during the collection selection stage, balance book quality with public interest” (Mahesa, Chaerani, & Rukmana, 2025). The selection process is conducted through meetings with relevant teams to draft a list of reading materials deemed suitable for publication. This draft is based on input gathered from monitoring and evaluation (monev) activities, institutional feedback, and requests from stakeholders. As confirmed in interviews: “From the institutions as well, based on those results... We have what we call an Editorial Board, one of its functions is to select books for production—whether for audio or Braille. So, the selection is done by the Editorial Board team, which is responsible for determining which books will be included. We have a dedicated team for that.” (Informants 1 and 2, Interview, July 25, 2024). In the audiobook collection selection process at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna, the number of books and production targets are clearly defined. These targets are distributed quarterly. In the first quarter, selected titles are determined for production, and the same process is repeated for the second, third, and fourth quarters. Each quarter has specific targets aligned with institutional planning. As stated in the interview: “We divide the annual production into quarters—what books will be produced in Q1, how many in Q2, and so on. There’s a target set by the institution, so it’s structured quarterly, usually across four quarters.” (Informant 1, Interview, July 25, 2024). This is consistent with Cahyani & Perdana (2022), who state that “Collection selection is based on balancing quality and reader interest, as well as analysis of questionnaire data” (Cahyani & Perdana, 2022). Based on the selection results by the editorial board, the number and titles of books to be produced are determined. Table 1 shows that in 2023, the audiobook production target was 30 titles, distributed across four quarters. Each quarter, 5 to 10 titles were produced, totaling approximately 30 titles annually. “For example, our current audio production target is 13,080 units per year, which we divide into four quarters. Each quarter includes a set number of titles—usually 5 to 10—so in total, around 30 titles per year.” (Informant 4, Interview, July 25, 2024). Table 2 shows the total production in 2023 comprised 27 audiobook titles across various categories, including health, education, fiction, history, and personal development. Among the health-related titles were Serba Serbi Kekebalan Tubuh (300 copies), Sukses Tanpa Narkoba (300 copies), and Pengaruh Makan Terhadap Kesehatan (300 copies). Inspirational works such as Merdeka Sejak Hati Vol. 1–2 were produced in 600 copies. Popular fiction titles included Harry Potter Vol. 1–4 (2,000 copies) and Max Havelaar Vol. 1–3 (1,500 copies). Historical and biographical works included Sjahrir: Peran Besar Bung Kecil (400 copies) and Kumpulan Cerita Pahlawan Indonesia (400 copies). Non-fiction and educational titles such as 25 Resep Kue Gurih dan Snack and Mengenal Planet were each produced in 400 copies. Based on the explanation above, the editorial board at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna is responsible for selecting books to be produced as audiobooks. This selection is based on user needs, evaluations, and requests from relevant institutions. The production target is set at 5 to 10 titles per quarter, totaling approximately 30 titles annually. Once selected, the books are formally handed over to the relevant departments to proceed with the production process. This process is designed to ensure that the resulting collection is truly relevant and supports the literacy needs of individuals with visual impairments. This view is supported this study’s triangulator, who stated: “Yes, because they are the ones who know the needs. So, it’s adjusted according to each need.” (Informant 4, Interview, August 23, 2024). The selection process at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna has been implemented effectively and aligns with established standards. However, in practice, there are shortcomings in the verification stage. Field observations indicate that Sentra Wyata Guna has not yet fully optimized the verification of library materials, and there is insufficient oversight to ensure that verification is conducted in accordance with requests. This is a critical issue, as verification is a mandatory step outlined in the Regulation of the Head of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia No. 6 of 2022 on Library Collection Development Policy. According to the regulation, the selection process involves identifying library materials to complete bibliographic data using various selection tools, such as bibliographies, publisher catalogs, book reviews, user suggestions, and user needs surveys. Verification follows, involving checks to determine whether the selected materials already exist in the collection using databases or self-lists. If the material is available, a decision is made on whether it requires revision or reprinting before being included in the final selection. The editorial board is the authority responsible for ensuring that all selected materials have undergone proper verification. The board then finalizes the selection based on the urgency of each title and sets a production target of 10 titles per quarter. The results of this selection process form the basis for the next stage: acquisition. The audiobook selection process begins with the editorial board identifying potential materials using various selection tools, including bibliographies, publisher catalogs, book reviews, user suggestions, and user needs surveys. The board then verifies whether the selected materials are already part of the collection. Based on the verification results, decisions are made regarding the need for revision or reprinting. The final selection is determined based on the urgency of each title. Production targets are distributed quarterly, with a goal of producing 10 titles per quarter. The finalized list of selected books is then submitted to the relevant departments, and the collection development process proceeds to the acquisition phase.

Based on the analysis and discussion presented, it can be concluded that the audiobook collection development process at the Braille Library of Sentra Wyata Guna has been implemented optimally and systematically. Each stage of the process adheres to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring that implementation is structured, efficient, and accountable. The selection of audiobook collections is carried out by an editorial board that holds the authority and responsibility to determine which book titles are suitable for audiobook production. This selection is guided by two primary considerations: the informational needs of users and requests from relevant institutions. Additionally, the editorial board plays a key role in setting production targets based on the institution’s work plan and available budget allocations. This target-setting mechanism enables the production process to proceed effectively and efficiently while maintaining both content integrity and technical quality. However, this study does not encompass all relevant aspects of the audiobook selection process at Sentra Wyata Guna. One notable limitation is the absence of data collection from library users. The study relied solely on direct observation and did not include interviews with users, resulting in a lack of user perspective. User involvement in the selection process is crucial to ensure that the available collections are relevant and beneficial. Furthermore, this study did not conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of existing audiobook collections, such as narrative accuracy, audio quality, or alignment with the educational curriculum for the visually impaired. Future research should therefore focus on exploring user perceptions of the audiobook collections at Sentra Wyata Guna and conducting a detailed analysis of audiobook quality.