Sora: user guide

Sora is a digital reading platform that allows pupils to borrow and read ebooks and audiobooks from the College’s online library. Pupils can access Sora on a computer, tablet or smartphone, making it easy to read anywhere, at any time. Through the app, pupils can explore a wide range of titles, borrow books instantly and return them automatically when they are finished.

How to download the Sora App:

On your phone, go to your App store and search for Sora. Look for the plane!
On a computer or Chromebook Google Sora or use this link: Sora

Illustration of the Sora reading app mascot, a rounded light-blue flying character with a visor-like face and small orange feet, floating on a blue background with small geometric shapes suggesting motion and space.

Sora login welcome screen with the Sora mascot flying above the title “Sora” and the tagline “Open a world of reading.” A green button reads “My school is Hampshire School Library Service,” with a smaller link below saying “Not your school? Switch schools.”

How to find Swanmore:

Search for Hampshire School Library Service; if this isn’t listed, click ‘Not your school?’ and scroll down to Swanmore College.

Use the drop down box to select Swanmore College

How to sign in:

Use your Swanmore College gmail account to sign in.
Students and staff can make your own account.
Use your school gmail password

Screenshot of the Sora sign-in page titled “Sign into your school.” A dropdown menu labelled “Select your school” displays a list of schools, including Swanmore College highlighted in blue among other Hampshire schools.

Exploring Sora:

This will be the first page you see.
Click on the binoculars to search for books.
Click on ‘Shelf’ to find your current loans
Click ‘Me’ to view your history.

Screenshot of the Sora reading app showing the Explore page connected to Hampshire School Library Service. A banner titled “Sora Sweet Reads” advertises always-available ebooks and audiobooks from May to August. Below the banner are colourful book covers arranged in rows. Navigation icons for Home, Explore, Shelf and Me appear along the bottom of the screen.

Useful Information

Unlimited numbers of people can take out comics and magazines at the same time, and you can find ‘back issues’ as well.
Only two items can be withdrawn at once.
If a title states ‘place hold’, someone else is currently reading the book. When you place the hold, you will be given an estimate for when the book will be available.
The student’s log in dictates your year and therefore the books which can be borrowed, so a login of 25smithp cannot borrow T+ books, but 23smithp can.
The font type and size can be changed.
Sora Sweet Reads: A number of books available to absolutely everyone from May until mid August. This is a once a year event, not a rolling package.
Please return a book when you finish it so others may read it!