DPAD DIY Promotes Reading Culture Through Titik Baca Digital Libraries

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - The Libraries and Archives (DPAD) Agency of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) is intensifying its efforts to boost literacy through Titik Baca, a digital-based library initiative. This program serves as a strategic response to the digital age, aimed at making quality reading materials more accessible to the public.

"The presence of Titik Baca is one of our strategies to increase public interest in reading amidst technological developments," said Head of Library Materials and Information Development at DPAD DIY, Dewi Ambarwati, during a socialization event at TKIT (Integrated Islamic Kindergarten) Omah Lintang in Banguntapan, Bantul, on Monday, April 13, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The Titik Baca (Reading Point) system operates on a high-accessibility model designed to bridge the gap between technology and traditional literacy. To ensure instant connectivity, users can access a vast digital collection simply by scanning a QR Code with their smartphones, eliminating the need for physical library cards or complex registrations.

The platform offers curated content developed in collaboration with PT Enam Kubuku Indonesia, providing a safe environment for all ages through a selection of e-books, educational videos, and literacy-based information. Additionally, the system includes interactive features that go beyond traditional books, offering users access to streaming radio and curated multimedia content to create a more engaging digital learning experience.

CEO of PT Enam Kubuku Indonesia, Ari Kustanto, explained that the concept focuses on bringing the library to the people. "The goal is to bring digital reading materials closer to the community. It will be placed in various locations, with 46 points planned for the Bantul area alone," he noted.

The program has received strong support from local legislators. Amir Syarifudin, councilor of the DIY Regional Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD), hailed the initiative as a way to redirect mobile phone usage toward productive activities. He also advocated for broader national policies, such as the abolition of taxes on books for students to further lower the barriers to education.

Coordinator of the Library Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Sukirno, highlighted the urgency of such programs. He noted that Indonesia's literacy rate still lags behind developed nations due to unequal book distribution, economic constraints, and digital distractions.

By placing these digital hubs in accessible public areas and schools, DPAD DIY aims to normalize reading as a daily habit and ensure that quality information is no longer limited to those in major urban centers.

The Titik Baca initiative represents a digital transformation of traditional library services, ensuring that reading materials are available anytime and anywhere. By utilizing QR code technology, the program eliminates the physical barriers that often discourage potential readers.

Furthermore, the strategic placement of these points in community hubs like schools and public spaces creates a literacy ecosystem that encourages local engagement. As the program expands to 46 locations in Bantul, it sets a benchmark for how regional governments can use innovation to foster a more informed and educated society. ***