Read and write tools

The University Library also provides extended support for students and staff with reading impairments based on a disabling condition.

The library offers lectures, workshops and similar activities on topics such as study techniques. You can find all activities in the library's calendar.

Short talks for students is a series of lunchtime lectures every Wednesday. The topics of these webinars can be study techniques or reading strategies.

About Short talks for students

The library organizes reading retreats and writing retreats in collaboration with ASK (the Unit for Academic Language and Writing at the University of Gothenburg), where you learn to read and write with efficiency and focus.

About reading and writing retreats

More tips from ASK about strategies you can use to become more effective in your studies

To focus while reading and writing

For many, concentration is a major challenge. You can turn to us at the library for tips on methods or reading tips on study techniques.

Divide the time into blocks and take breaks in between. For example, you can set a timer for 20 minutes and then take a short break before setting the timer again and then continue reading. Take advantage of the break to move around. There is a large body of research showing that movement increases concentration. It's best if you start your studies with some form of movement.

Participate in the library's activity Study with time boxing to try out the method.

Block out noise. Some libraries have headphones you can borrow and others provide earplugs to block out noise. Try using noise-canceling headphones to block out sound. Sometimes it works better to have a continous sound in the headphones. There are several apps and music services that offer background noise. The term "white noise" or "brown noise" is often used to describe background noise.

Shield yourself in different ways. Libraries have different types of study areas for different needs, some of which have screens to help you concentrate if you are disturbed by other people's movements. Libraries usually have different zones to control noise. Some areas are for group work, while others are for individual study and should be completely silent.

Other ways to shield yourself include wearing a cap, turning off notifications from emails and other apps, or making sure your surroundings are tidy and quiet. Also consider whether you have appropriate lighting for what you are doing.

For those who prefer to listen to literature, the university library has many course books in digital format. Use Supersearch filtered on Textbook, and Full Text Online to find digital textbooks.

To Supersearch

You can listen to the digital text with a speech synthesizer. Under the heading Support software below there is information on how to listen to text.

You can also find digital books in the following ways:

• Find databases and e-resources with e-books. Filter the results by your subject area.
• Librivox is a service for free audio books, read by volunteers. Since it contains books without copyright, you will mainly find older books there.

The university provides support software such as speech synthesizers, magnifying software and tools that help you with spelling and grammar. For many, it helps to listen to the text they have written with a speech synthesizer to detect spelling errors or illogical participles.

You can find the software in the Student Portal. Log in with your GU account (gus-id) to access the support software. Some of the programs are also installed on the library's computers if you want to test before installing on your own computer.

Read and write support software

Tortalk and Claroread

The University of Gothenburg has purchased licenses for two speech synthesizers, which anyone with a GU account (gus-id) can use. With TorTalk and ClaroRead, you can get all text on the screen read aloud, regardless of format.

For text that is copy-protected or directly copied from a book, you use a function called scan/OCR. TorTalk also has an app that works for Android and iOS. With it, you can get continuous reading in PDFs.

StavaRex and Spellright

If you need support in spelling and grammar when writing, the university has purchased licenses for the StavaRex and SpellRight software. StavaRex is for Swedish text and SpellRight for English text. If you use Office365 via the university, the programs are available as add-ons in Word.

Other support software

Many computer models have a built-in feature called "Text to Speech". Browsers such as Microsoft Edge have a "Read aloud" feature that you can use on web pages and PDFs.

Contact us about read and write tools

Please contact us who work with services for persons with reading impairments to find out more about study techniques and support software. We are available at all libraries within Gothenburg University Library.