Digital Accessibility - Library e-resources

This guide provides information about the digital accessibility features of library e-resources. It is a developing resource which currently includes information about some of the Library ebook collections.

General features of the JSTOR platform

This page provides information about the online reader and the landing page for JSTOR. It includes sections on the ease of use of the platform, navigation tips, download formats and available accessibility features. 

Below is a brief summary of accessibility features in the online reader:

Downloading JSTOR ebooks.
Screen readers and text-to-speech software. 
JSTOR's Accessibility Statement

eBook Formats in the Online Reader:

What eBook formats are available?

When using the online reader, all JSTOR eBooks are only available in PDF format. When downloading, all books are also only available in PDF format. 

Changing Font Size/Zoom:

Font Size:

Currently, there are no built-in options to change the font size within a JSTOR eBook. Changing the font size in your browser's settings will display the results across the JSTOR website, but not within an eBook. 

Zoom:

Zoom percentage can be controlled within a JSTOR eBook by using the two magnifying glass icons present at the top of the PDF reader when  chapter is open. This method also applies for downloaded PDFs, where similar icons will be present in all PDF reader software. 

The icon bar present at the top of all JSTOR pdf readers. There are two magnify glass icons on the left-hand side,, one with a plus symbol, and the other a minus symbol. Both icons have been highlighted with a red box outline.

​​​​​​Changing the font size in your browser's settings will display the results across the JSTOR website up to 200% without affecting text flow, but will not take effect within an eBook. 

Page Layout Options:

Changing Page Layout

Within the online reader, JSTOR offers two different page layout options: scrolling mode, and paging mode. These options can be switched between from the icon bar at the top of the PDF reader. First, click on the vertical ellipses icon to bring up a drop down menu with more icons. From here, click on the button labelled either 'Scrolling Mode' or 'Paging Mode' to switch to that layout. 

The icon bar of the JSTOR PDF reader. There is a drop down menu open underneath a vertical ellipses on the left hand side. The ellipses and the button labelled 'Paging Mode' have both been highlighted with a red box outline.

Scrolling Mode

Scrolling mode arranges the pages vertically, making it easier to scroll between them using the scroll wheel or the up and down arrow keys.

Paging Mode

Paging mode arranges the pages horizontally and one at a time. Pages can switched between using the onscreen arrows, or by pressing the left and right arrow keys.

Changing background/text colour:

Currently, there is no built-in option to change the colour of the background or text within the JSTOR online reader. In cases where background colour can be changed in the browser's settings, the changes will be displayed across the JSOTR website, but will not take effect in the online reader. 

Keyboard Navigation:

The JSTOR website can be navigated using a keyboard through using the tab key to move between links, and the enter button to follow a link. The arrow keys can then be used to scroll up and down a page.

On the landing page, the website features a 'Skip to Main Content' button which appears in the upper left corner of the screen when first pressing the tab key on any page. Pressing the enter key when this button is highlighted will skip the website's headers and move directly to the book's metadata. When a chapter is open, two additional buttons feature after 'Skip to Main Content': 'Skip to metadata', and 'Skip to item content'. 'Skip to item content' is the most useful of these, taking your selection directly to the online PDF reader. 

When using keyboard navigation, it is recommended to put the online reader into 'reading mode', a full screen option which allows for the page to be scrolled with the arrow keys. This mode can be accessed by pressing the arrow button on the right hand side of the PDF reader's icon bar.

Using the Table of Contents:

How do I access the table of contents from the landing page?

When following a link to a JSTOR eBook from the library catalogue, you are automatically brought to that book's  table of contents. The contents is displayed directly underneath the book's cover and publisher information.

When a chapter is open in the online reader, a table of contents can be opened on the left hand side of the screen by clicking the button labelled 'Table of Contents'. This table can be used for quick access to other chapters without returning to the landing page.  

A chapter of a book is open in the JSTOR online reader. To the left of the reader is a table of contents, highlighted by a red box outline.

Save and Print options for JSTOR eBooks

What download options are available?

All content provided by JSTOR is DRM-free, meaning users can download, print, and copy as much as they like.  

When downloading, JSTOR eBooks are only available in PDF format. 

How to download chapters 

JSTOR does not allow users to download entire books as single PDFs. However, they do offer multiple ways of downloading single chapters, and there is no limit to the amount of chapters a user can download.

Downloading a single chapter

There are multiple ways to download single chapters on the JSTOR platform. One way is to open the PDF via the contents page. Directly underneath each chapter heading is a button labeled 'Download'.

A chapter heading and abstract from a JSTOR eBook. Below this is a set of buttons, one of which is labelled 'Download' and has been highlighted with a red box outline.

Clicking this button will open that chapter as a PDF in your web browser. From here, clicking on the download button in the top right hand corner of the PDF will present you with the option of downloading the selected chapter.

Alternatively, PDFs of individual chapters can be downloaded whilst viewing the PDF file in the online reader. After opening the reader, a button labeled 'Download' will be present above the open chapter.

The chapter heading of a JSTOR eBook is displayed. In the bottom right hand corner or the image is a set of buttons, one of which is red and labelled @Download'. This button has been highlighted with a red box outline.

Clicking this button will open that chapter as a PDF in your web browser. From here, clicking on the download button in the top right hand corner of the PDF will present you with the option of downloading the selected chapter.

Using screen readers and text-to-speech software with JSTOR eBooks

Screen Reader Compatibility with JSTOR eBooks:

Note: Whilst this section will give an overview for which screen readers work with the above platform, there are many variables which can impact screen reader performance:

  • Browser - Different browsers may not function identically with certain screen readers like Read Aloud only being available with specific browsers. In general, this guide tested books using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. 
  • Software - When using downloaded content, the software chosen to open documents such as PDFs and EPUBS can impact on the functionality of screen readers. In general, this guide tested books using Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge's built in reader's for PDFs, and Calibre and Apple Books for EPUBS.
  • Document preparation: As eBook providers host titles from a variety of publishers, there can be significant differences in screen reader compatibility from title to title. For example, older PDFs are less likely to have OCR text, meaning it cannot always been highlighted or read by a screen reader. In general, this guide tested multiple eBooks for each provider.
Are screen readers compatible with eBooks in PDF format in the online reader?

VoiceOver (MacOS) - Yes - More information on using VoiceOver

Narrator (Windows) - Yes - More information on using Narrator

Read Aloud (Windows) - Yes. Note that Read Aloud will sometimes struggle to move between pages, and thus will require you to manually select the next page - More information on using Read Aloud

Are screen readers compatible with downloaded eBooks in PDF format?

VoiceOver (MacOS) - Yes - More information on using VoiceOver

Narrator (Windows) - Yes - More information on using Narrator

Read Aloud (Windows) - Yes - More information on using Read Aloud

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