The library's databases provide articles and abstracts in two different formats: PDF or HTML.
For HTML articles (EBSCOhost)
To use Text-To-Speech
- Locate an EBSCOhost article in HTML format which you would like read to you.
- From the Accent drop-down menu, select an accent in which you would like the article to be read.
- Click the Settings icon to set your Reading Speed and Highlighting Options.
- Click the Listen button to hear the article read outloud -OR- click the Download button to download an MP3 file of the article being read to your computer.
Downloading Text-to-Speech MP3s
You may also download audio files of HTML articles being read aloud to your computer in MP3 format.
- On the Text-to-Speech toolbar, click the Download button.
- Select to Open or Save the file to your computer.
- If saving the file, browse to a location in the Save As dialog box and click Save.
- The MP3 file is saved to your computer.
For PDF Articles
Adobe Reader & Acrobat both have a read aloud feature. This feature will allow pdfs that are ADA accesible to be read out loud for patrons.
Please Note: The best way to make use of Adobe's accessibility features is to use Adobe in conjunction with your assistive technology screen reader software. UWF library does have screen reader software available at our dedicated workstation on the 1st floor of the John C. Pace Library.
The instructions below are intended for machines that do not have assistive technology installed on them.
If you have opened a pdf document within Adobe Reader
In Windows OS - here is how to turn the read aloud feature on:
- open the pdf
- go to the View option at the top of the screen and choose "Read Out Loud"
- scroll down to option "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 - here is how 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
