Textbook into PDF

At the Library you can let your own purchased textbooks be scanned to a PDF file on a USB stick. The PDF can then be read out loud to you by your own device. To access this free service, you will need show that you have permission of your study advisor.

Hand in your books and a USB stick at the Information Desk of the University Library in the University Quarter or at the Library Learning Center in REC-H. After 5 working days you will receive an email that you can pick up your USB with the PDFs on it and your books.

Please note: in order to scan the book the spine has to be removed.

Text to speech software

Mirosoft Word, Google Docs and Adobe Acrobat Reader have building text to speech software which you can adjust in the accessibility settings of the application. In Word you can activate it under the Review tab, Google docs under the Tools menu choose Accessibility and for Adobe Acrobat you can activate the reader in the View menu.

If you want a text to speech software that reads out all your programs and menus you can make use of programs like JAWS (paid version) or NVDA (windows only but free). Most programs are supported by these two applications. You can also make use of the built-in read allowed feature of your device: Narrator for Windows, VoiceOver for Apple devices both Mac and iOS and ChromeVox for Chromebooks. Be aware, it will take some time getting used to these types of software. Controlling the software goes both via key combinations or mouse and almost everything on your screen is read aloud.

Computer work spaces

In the Information Centre of the University Library University Quarter all computers are equipped with a 21" screen, Microsoft Office 365 (including Word and Excel) and Microsoft Edge. You can log in with your UvAnetID.