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Higher education students

Thrive in college and beyond

Bookshare® is essential for college students with learning differences. Students can find their course books in accessible formats in one place and read with powerful tools that make learning easier. They can listen to books in audio, follow along with karaoke-style highlighting, enlarge text sizes, read in braille, and adjust other settings to suit individual learning styles. Bookshare is free for all US college and graduate students with qualifying disabilities.

Read and learn easier

Find your course books

Find the books you need in alternative formats like audio, audio + highlighted text, large text, and braille

Make reading easier

Customize audio, word highlighting, text size, colors, and more to fit your individual learning style

Focus on learning

Increase your comprehension of learning materials with assistive features that make reading easier

Save time

Learn faster with books and reading tools that remove the barriers that make reading hard

Build independence

Build not only literacy skills, but also confidence in your ability to learn on your own

100% FREE

US students with qualifying learning differences join for free through an award from the Office of Special Education Programs

With a learning disability, it was so hard for me to read. It took me years to admit that to myself, and I was a senior in college before I sought help. I almost failed college because I couldn’t read well and hated to lie about my reading. Fortunately, my academic advisor told me about Bookshare, a reading app that made it possible for me to graduate.

Read Justin’s story

Frequently asked questions

Who can join Bookshare?

Bookshare is for people who find it difficult to process or comprehend printed words, see text in books or on a screen, or physically manage books or reading devices. To access our copyright library, members must have a qualifying disability. Learn about qualifications.

How much does it cost?

Bookshare is FREE for qualified U.S. students in Pre-K to 12th grade, post-secondary, graduate, vocational, and continuing education classes through an award from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), US Department of Education.

What books are available for students in Higher Ed?

Bookshare has books for every age and grade level of student, including college-level textbooks. All books come in a variety of formats that make it easier for students to read and learn independently. Learn about the library.

How do students read Bookshare books?

You can read Bookshare ebooks on computers, Chromebooks, smartphones, tablets, braille devices, and other assistive technology devices. You can use our free Bookshare Reader app available for web, iOS, Android, and Alexa-enabled devices. You can also read with a variety of compatible partner apps and devices.

How can I learn more about Bookshare for Higher Ed?

Visit our learning article for Higher Ed students.