Do you need extra support when reading and writing? Here you find information about the library's resources and aids available to you. You can also contact our librarians for further information.
If you need support with reading and writing you can:
Reading and writing support is available to you if you have:
You can book one of our librarians for a personal introduction to the available support. At the introduction we will demonstrate computer programs that make reading and writing easier. We will also create an account for you so that you can borrow "talking books" in audio formats from the digital library Legimus.
Use the library contact form to book a personal introduction or ask a question. Use the subject area "Support for reading and writing".
You have the right to get access to your mandatory textbook in an adapted format if you have trouble reading printed books. 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 to navigate the Legimus home page, since it's in Swedish.
You can listen to the books on your computer or using an app on your phone or tablet.
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:
If you need an extra calm environment or adaptations when studying you can gain access to our resource rooms. In the rooms you find computers with
There are three resource rooms at the central university library. At the Medical Library you can borrow a laptop with the same software installed.
Contact us for authorisation to use the resource rooms.
For reading:
For writing:
All students at Umeå University can download programs that make reading and writing easier. The programs aid through:
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
On your computer, the web browser often provides the options of magnification and speech synthesis.
In some browsers, the speech synthesis is already activated. You can use it to read webpages and 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.
