BARD Mobile App For Apple Devices

People who are blind, have low vision or have a physical disability may now download audio and braille books to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The Library of Congress' National Library Service (NLS) has developed an app for these devices that is available to members of the Talking Books Library free of charge.

The Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) Mobile app is now available through the Apple App Store. The app, which is free, allows readers to download audio and braille books from their NLS BARD accounts. BARD contains nearly 99,000 books, magazines and music scores in audio and braille formats, with new selections added daily. Download the free app and sign in with your BARD user name and password. You'll only need to do this the first time you use the app. The app contains a user guide that will guide you through the various features of BARD Mobile.

NLS Director Karen Keninger explained, "With BARD Mobile, patrons can play talking books and magazines on their iOS devices. Patrons may also read electronic braille books, magazines and music scores using a refreshable braille display connected to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch through Bluetooth. Patrons will be able to receive more books faster with downloading. BARD Mobile will make reading not only more accessible, but also more portable. We anticipate that significant numbers of readers will adopt the app as their primary reading device, as a growing percentage of blind and disabled Americans adopt mobile devices, the app will provide a highly valued avenue to access NLS materials."