Boyolali – Students participating in the Diponegoro University Community Service Program (KKN-T) IDBU-12, Group 2, in Tawangsari Village, implemented the “Inclusive Collection Management” program at the Sriekandi Patra Reading Corner as an effort to improve access to information for all community members. This activity was held at the Sriekandi Patra Community Secretariat in Tawangsari Village, Teras Subdistrict, Boyolali Regency, as part of an inclusive, community-based literacy empowerment program.
This program stems from the need for more organized collection management so that available reading materials can be easily found and utilized by all community members. Sriekandi Patra is a community composed of people with disabilities engaged in various productive activities, one of which is batik-making. Therefore, the development of the reading corner was designed with a focus on the principle of inclusivity so that every member has equal opportunities to access information and knowledge.
As part of the project, the KKN students identified and inventoried the entire available collection, then organized the library materials by subject for greater systematic organization. Each book was assigned a classification label and a collection code to facilitate the organization and retrieval process. Additionally, bookshelves were installed and arranged by category so that visitors can find reading materials more quickly and easily.
As part of efforts to enhance user-friendly services for all visitors, the KKN team also added a collection of books on Indonesian sign language to serve as a basic learning resource for the public and community members. This collection is expected to support more inclusive communication while increasing public understanding of the importance of respecting diversity.
In addition to organizing the physical collection, the KKN students also developed a simple administrative system in the form of a collection inventory book that managers can use to track additions and loans of library materials in the future. This system is expected to support the sustainable, independent management of the Sriekandi Patra Reading Corner.
The program’s executive chair, Minan Faiz Fausta Rafa, stated that proper collection management is one of the key foundations for building a culture of literacy in the community. “A reading corner must evolve not only to store books but also to serve as a space for creativity, learning, empowerment, and providing benefits to all community members without exception,” he said.
Through the Sriekandi Patra Reading Corner Inclusive Collection Management program, the University of Diponegoro KKN students hope that the reading corner can become a sustainable community literacy center. With a well-organized, easily accessible collection that caters to the needs of various groups, the reading corner is expected to boost interest in reading and expand access to information.
Author: Minan Faiz Fausta Rafa, Diponegoro University
