If you need support with reading or writing, the library can help you in various ways. For instance, if you have difficulty reading printed text due to a disability, you can access talking books. Here you will find information about the support available and how to contact our librarians.
Do you need extra support when reading or writing? The library can assist you in various ways:
Book a personal introduction with one of our librarians to get started with the library's reading and writing support.
Book an introduction to reading and writing support
You have the right to get access to your mandatory textbooks in an adapted format if you have trouble reading printed books due to a disability. For instance, you may need to listen to it or read it using various aids instead. The most common adaptation you can get is literature in audio format, so-called "talking books".
You borrow books in audio format from the digital library Legimus. Our librarians will help you gain access to the service. We can also help you navigate the Legimus home page since it's in Swedish.
You can listen to the books on your computer or use an app on your phone or tablet.
Information in English about Legimus and talking books, from MTM (The Swedish Agency for Accessible Media):
Products and services - Legimus (MTM)
If your mandatory textbook is not available in Legimus, you may order it via the library. Order the adaptation of the book in good time before you need it. Just producing the book will take Legimus around 8-12 weeks.
Order recording or adaptation of course literature
Read your e-books using speech synthesis
You can use speech synthesis to read e-books. Read more about e-books and speech synthesis:
Talking books are for people who have difficulty reading printed text due to, for example:
If you need an extra calm environment or adaptations when studying, you can gain access to our resource rooms. There are three resource rooms at the University Library and one at the Arts Campus Library.
The rooms have docking stations for easy use of your computer. In one of the rooms at the University Library and in the resource room at the library at KC, there is a computer with a magnification program and scanner.
Contact us for authorisation to use the resource rooms.
All students at Umeå University can download programs that make reading and writing easier.
Find more information about the available programs on the Student web:
Use built-in tools
Mobile phones and tablets
Mobile phones and tablets often have built-in tools such as
You can activate them via "Settings" on your device.
Computers
The web browser often provides magnification and speech synthesis options on your computer.
In some browsers, the speech synthesis is already activated. You can use it to read web pages; it opens automatically when you open a PDF file. When you use a browser that does not have the tool, you need to download a browser extension.
If you have a question about our support for reading and writing, you can primarily contact us through the library contact form. Select the area "Support for reading and writing."
You can also contact our staff working with support for reading and writing directly.
