Many EBSCO and Gale databases provide a read aloud option and download to mp3 feature for full-text articles available in HTML format.

Select the HTML Full Text link.

•             Click on the orange play icon (located under the article's title) to start the audio.
•             Many databases allow you to select the audio accent from the drop down menu box.
•             Click the download icon to download an mp3 file of the audio.

PDF Read Aloud Readers

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat both have a read aloud feature. This feature will allow PDFs that are ADA accessible to be read out loud for patrons.

In Windows OS to turn the read aloud feature on:

• open the PDF
• go to the View option at the top of the screen and select Read Out Loud and then scroll down to the last option listed called, Activate Read Out Loud
• click on the screen to begin reading

To pause, select a specific section, or, read to the end of the document, select view, the read out loud option, and then the appropriate option (pause, etc.)

In Mac OS to turn the read aloud feature on:

• open the PDF
• go to the Edit option at the top of the screen and select Speech and then select the option, Start Speaking
• reader will start automatically

To stop, select Edit at the top of the screen, then select Speech, and last select the option, Stop Speaking

Narrator is a free screen reader that is available on all Windows desktop computers in the Learning Commons, and all Dell laptops in our Library of Things.

Search for Narrator, or press the Windows key + Ctrl + Enter to start or end the program.

NVDA

NVDA is a free, open-source screenreader option. Download and install the software, then click the icon to start the program.

Keyboard shortcuts:

• control + alt + n: Starts or re-starts NVDA
• Insert + down arrow: Starts reading the cursor's current position
• Press and hold Ctrl: Mutes the voiceover

NVDA is installed on all Learning Commons computers.