We are all reading online much more than ever before, and particularly in the current coronavirus crisis, we are very reliant on electronic materials. Reading on a screen is a different experience to reading print materials, and while this undoubtedly suits some people, many others may find an increase in screen-reading difficult.

Contents

• Useful guides from Cambridge University Libraries
• Making reading on screens easier
• Alternative formats
• Taking notes
• Useful links
• Finding resources to read online
• Ebook providers and platforms

The purpose of this guide is to identify ways that you can make use of reading technologies and accessibility software to alleviate the effects of reading on a screen, and to ensure that you are able to read as effectively as you would if using a combination of print and electronic materials.

There are many ways that you can optimise your device, make use of software, or modify your screen, in order to improve the experience of reading online.

Use an e-reader

You may already have access to an e-reader, like a Kindle or Kobo device, and these are better designed for reading than most computer or mobile screens. An alternative is Adobe Digital Editions, a free e-reader that you can download for your mobile phone or tablet, either iOS and Android. It allows you to read anything in an ePUB format and has good search functionality.

Read out loud

There are some excellent accessibility features on Adobe Acrobat, one of which is 'Read out loud', a text-to-speech option which will read out the contents of a PDF. There is also an app called SpeakIt for iOS and Android, which works in a similar way.

Use a reading ruler

If you are a Google Chrome user, you can access a free browser extension for a reading ruler. This highlights the line you are currently reading, and moves around the screen with your arrow keys, so it can help you to keep your place in a long PDF. It can be particularly useful for dyslexic readers.

Modify your screen

Changing the brightness of your screen can make a difference to the experience of reading online. Free software such as F.lux will automatically change the colour of your screen depending on the time of day, to make it easier to read. There is also advice online about calibrating your monitor, such as this post from LifeHacker.

Converting the format of a document can make it much easier to read. The epub ebook format is more inclusive that the PDF: text can be resized to fit your screen and works well with 'text-to-speech' software.

Disabled readers

The University Library will prioritise services to support disabled readers. If you are a disabled student and have an enquiry or request, you can use the fast-track email disability@lib.cam.ac.uk to request resources in an accessible format.

SensusAccess is a free self-service facility that can help you create accessible alternative formats of inaccessible digital documents. It can convert PDFs, JPEGs and other files into an e-book, text file, audio or braille.

RNIB Bookshare provides UK textbooks and in a range of accessible formats. Users with the following eligibility criteria can contact their librarians to create an account:

• Blind or partially sighted
• Dyslexia, Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder
• A physical disability that significantly affects use of printed materials

Taking notes can help you to absorb more information from reading on screen, and this can be especially important when you don't have a physical location to return to track down the reference you need. Even though most of the resources you have access to reading will now be online, you can still take notes and organise your thoughts by hand. Try making a few bullet points or writing a summary at the end of every article or chapter. You could draw a concept map, or use the Cornell method.

There are lots of ways to take notes online too. You have access to OneNote through your University of Cambridge Microsoft account. This digital notebook will allow you to sort content; tag, annotate, and highlight; record audio notes and insert online videos; take clippings from websites; and share your files. Evernote can also be used as a mobile app, and includes web clipping and annotation functions. Diigo is a free web extension that can help you collect, tag, and annotate resources as you read.

CamGuides provide further information about academic reading skills, including critical reading and note-making.