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Making Reading Easier: Accessibility Features on Libby and Hoopla

  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

A person holds a smartphone with an audiobook displayed on the screen

Are you interested in accessing eBooks and audiobooks through the library’s digital resources, but you are concerned about being able to access the titles on the app due to physical, visual, or auditory limitations?


Fortunately, both of the library’s reading apps, Libby and Hoopla, offer accessibility features that make reading an easier experience for patrons with disabilities. There are accessibility features for both eBooks and audiobooks, meaning that there are accommodations for you, no matter which way you like to enjoy your books!


A screen cap of the Libby app with the appearance features shown. The menu shows text scale, lighting, and book design as editable features for an eBook

Libby

After downloading an eBook on the Libby app, tap on the “A” icon in the top right corner of your screen. You can change the size of the text or change the font face to be more dyslexia-friendly. You can also change the background color for easier reading in the dark!

Libby audiobooks have accessibility features, too! You can change the speed of the audiobook narration by tapping on the dial at the very top of the screen, in the middle. Listen to the audiobook as fast or as slow as you would like. Libby is compatible with any stereo or headphone device that connects via Bluetooth, so you can listen in the car, at home, or out and about.




A screen cap of the Hoopla app with accessibility features show. The menu shows brightness, font, text size, and theme color listed as editable features for eBooks

Hoopla

After downloading an eBook on the Hoopla app, tap on the “Aa” icon in the top right corner of your screen. Just like Libby, you can change the font size, font face, and background color for easier reading.


Change the speed of the audiobook narration by tapping on the dial in the bottom right corner of your screen. 


If you still have more questions about navigating and using Libby or Hoopla, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Digital Services Librarian, Emily, for more assistance at (248)-650-7158.


Additionally, if you are turning to Libby and Hoopla because you have difficulty reading regular print, you may be eligible for Oakland Talking Book Services, a free program through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. Contact the Outreach department at (248)-650-7150 for more information.


This post was written by Emily West, Digital Services Librarian at RHPL.


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