diff --git a/io/bitreader.h b/io/bitreader.h
index 74efa32..b11e308 100644
--- a/io/bitreader.h
+++ b/io/bitreader.h
@@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ public:
     BitReader(const char *buffer, const char *end);
 
     template<typename intType> intType readBits(byte bitCount);
+    template<typename intType> intType showBits(byte bitCount);
     void skipBits(std::size_t bitCount);
+    void align();
     std::size_t bitsAvailable();
     void reset(const char *buffer, std::size_t bufferSize);
     void reset(const char *buffer, const char *end);
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@ inline BitReader::BitReader(const char *buffer, const char *end) :
 {}
 
 /*!
- * \brief Reads the specified number of bits from the buffer.
+ * \brief Reads the specified number of bits from the buffer advancing the current position by \a bitCount bits.
  * \param bitCount Specifies the number of bits read.
  * \tparam intType Specifies the type of the returned value.
  * \remarks Does not check whether intType is big enough to hold result.
@@ -75,6 +77,16 @@ intType BitReader::readBits(byte bitCount)
     return val;
 }
 
+/*!
+ * \brief Reads the specified number of bits from the buffer without advancing the current position.
+ */
+template<typename intType>
+intType BitReader::showBits(byte bitCount)
+{
+    auto tmp = this;
+    return tmp->readBits<intType>(bitCount);
+}
+
 /*!
  * \brief Returns the number of bits which are still available to read.
  */
@@ -107,6 +119,14 @@ inline void BitReader::reset(const char *buffer, const char *end)
     m_bitsAvail = 8;
 }
 
+/*!
+ * \brief Re-establishes alignment.
+ */
+inline void BitReader::align()
+{
+    skipBits(m_bitsAvail);
+}
+
 } // namespace IoUtilities
 
 #endif // IOUTILITIES_BITREADER_H