Access multimedia sources

As well as finding multimedia through your Library Search, you can access many other alternative sources elsewhere and there are some recommendations below. See our Access different formats via Library Search if you want to try looking in some of your library collections first. You may also wish to visit the Library's Video, Image and Sound collections information to find out about the full range of audio-visual resources available via the library as not everything can be found via Library Search.

Remember you can convert resources into alternative formats to suit your preferences. This means you do not always need to find a source in the format you would prefer initially as you may be able to change it.

Video

Video is a good alternative to reading. Some of the following are recommendations that can NOT be accessed by Library Search.

  • Box of Broadcasts is a collection of TV programmes available to all UK based students and staff. You can also request programmes to be recorded.
  • TED talks on a huge range of topics. TED advertises itself as 'a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world's most inspired thinkers'.
  • Linked In Learning tutorials (Falmouth or Exeter university email required)
  • Khan Academy started out doing maths videos but their list now includes science, history, computer programming, grammar, art history and finance.
  • YouTube, which has plenty of useful content, as well as cat videos.

Audio

 

Audiobooks

Very few academic textbooks are available to buy as audiobooks.

However, if you can get the text in electronic format, you can use a free screen reader (such as Natural Reader Online) to hear it read out. Check out our text-to-speech page to find out more about this and other options.

Some audiobook sources:

Podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to learn things without reading.

Try looking for podcasts related to your interests or field of study.

You can start by visiting iTunes, Google podcasts or BBC Sounds to explore.

Try some of the suggestions in the resources section below.

microphone for podcasting

Resources

RNIB icon

RNIB Bookshare

RNIB Bookshare supports eligible learners to access the curriculum
audiobook

Open Culture

Free audiobooks and other educational media

Audio book

Thought Audio

Free classic literature and philosophy audiobooks

audiobook

Loyal Books

Free audiobooks and downloads
Audio book

LibriVox

Free public domain audiobooks
Google podcasts

Google podcasts

Explore and subscribe to Google podcasts.
podcast icon

Listen with Apple podcasts

Accessing podcasts on an Apple device
BBC Sounds

BBC Sounds

Save audio content from the BBC to listen to later, subscribe to podcasts and get fresh recommendations.

Box of Broadcasts

Allows you to search for and watch a huge range of television and radio programmes.