Library Search allows you to search by speaking (using your device's microphone) instead of typing in your search terms. This voice-to-text option currently works for 26 languages, including spoken Arabic, Korean, and Mandarin Chinese, and others. Library Search will display the spoken search terms in the language you have chosen.
This Library Search voice-to-text option operates independently from the display language of the search interface. For instance, you could choose to speak in Arabic but set the search interface display to English, Korean, or any of the 20 display languages. If English is not your preferred language, this feature could enhance your Library Search experience by allowing you to view the interface, or to speak your search terms, in your preferred language.
Which computers or devices support this feature?
All public computers in all JMU Libraries locations should support this Library Search voice-to-text option, using the built-in microphone.
The voice-to-text option has also been tested successfully on a MacBook Pro running both MacOS and Windows.
This feature may not work on some browsers or some devices. At this time, the following browser/hardware combinations support this feature:
- Google Chrome browser for desktop (Apple and Windows)
- Android mobile devices
- Samsung browsers on most mobile devices, but not iOS (Apple) mobile devices
Not all devices/computers with the supporting combinations will work, unfortunately.
How it works:
1. Ensure you are using a computer and browser combination that will support this feature (see above).
2. Start at Library Search. Select the microphone icon in the right side of the search box. A new screen will open, with a pulsing microphone symbol to the right of the word Listening.
3. Below that is a dropdown menu: Voice search language. Select your preferred spoken language.
4. Speak your search terms. If Library Search could not process what you said, it will display, "Didn't get it, try again."
5. Once Library Search can process what you said, it will enter it as text into the search box, then perform the search.
6. Reminder: as with all Library Search searches, you need to specify whether the search is for "Almost Everything" or "JMU Library Catalog" or "Course Reserves."
7. The search results of your voice-to-text search will include only results containing the exact word or phrase that you spoke.