A book for Hörbücherei
The University Library's charity book bazaar for the benefit of Hörbücherei, the only center of excellence for accessible media in Austria.
In the historical ambience of the University Library, artistically designed by Theophil Hansen, you will discover a colorful selection of books, exhibition catalogs, and specialist journals from all areas of art, architecture, and art theory, provided by the institutions, collections, and staff of the Academy.
Find what you have been searching for, discover something surprising, and provide education and inclusion with your donation! Pay what you can!
Your donations will benefit the Hörbücherei des BSVÖ [BSVÖ audio library], founded in 1960, which provides people with physical or mental impairments—such as visual impairments or learning disabilities—with accessible (specialized) literature and periodicals free of charge. The audio library is financed by donations and its own funds, which account for around ten percent of its budget.
The audio library's collection of more than 15,000 media items includes DAISY audiobooks produced in-house in collaboration with professional narrators and actors, a collection of commercial audiobooks, and all radio plays produced by Ö1 [Austrian radio station] since 1946 as well as audio films. Through cooperation and interlibrary loan, access to approximately 60,000 additional audiobooks is also possible.
Now the audio library is facing closure, as several federal states are discontinuing funding at the end of the year “in view of technological developments in digital media, including in the audio sector.” “It is alarming that Austria's only specialized library, which provides people with low-threshold and barrier-free access to books, is threatened in its existence by such decisions.” (Alexander Guano, Director of Hörbücherei)
However, commercial offerings are often not accessible and require expert adaptation. “There is much more at stake than just audiobooks. The right to equal education, information, and participation must not become a luxury good that depends on the financial means of those affected.” (Markus Wolf, President of the BSVÖ)
Read more (in German only):
Hörbücherei für blinde Menschen in Österreich steht vor dem Aus (derstandard.at, 25.11.2025)
Hörbücherei des BSVÖ durch Streichung von Förderungen bedroht (hoerbuecherei.at, 23.10.2025)
Glossary
BSVÖ: Austrian Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
DAISY: The abbreviation stands for Digital Accessible Information System and is the name of a global standard for navigable, accessible multimedia documents.