Questions? 

Contact Talking Books Staff at (401) 574-9310 or email us at talking.books@olis.ri.gov.

You can also contact:

Alicia Waters
Library Services Coordinator
alicia.waters@olis.ri.gov

Neshmayda Calderon
Information Services Technician: Talking Books
neshmayda.calderon@olis.ri.gov

Kelley Lima
Information Services Technician: LORI Services
kelley.lima@olis.ri.gov

Talking Times, Fall 2023 - Section 2

Free Braille and Large Print Calendars Available 

If you want a 2024, free wall-sized or pocket-sized, braille or large print calendar, call the Talking Books Library at (401)574-9310 or email us at talking.books@olis.ri.gov. 

NLS BARD Support: BARD Mobile for the Fire operating system; version 1.4.6 release 

NLS has released BARD Mobile Kindle Fire version 1.4.6. This is the second in a series of releases designed to support native Amazon Kindle Fire OS development and Amazon accessibility functions, including VoiceView for screen reader and braille output support. This release includes several usability and accessibility enhancements, including improved color contrast and text sizing. Some issues related to the VoiceView have been resolved. A few bug fixes have also been implemented to enhance the user experience. Version 1.4.6 is supported by Fire tablets running 8.0 and above. 

NLS BARD Support: BARD Mobile Android Version 2.0  

NLS is releasing version 2.0 of the BARD Mobile Android app. This major release includes in-app search capability and several other feature updates, increased app stability, and bug fixes. This is the first in a series of planned releases to allow robust in-app searching and to eliminate the need to exit the app to search on the BARD website. With this update, BARD Mobile no longer includes the embedded view of the BARD website. Instead, it allows patrons to search within the app by keyword, author, title, or annotation and download the book directly to their Android devices from the search results listings. Learn more about additional enhancements at https://lorinet.info/tbp/?p=5931. 

Updates on Two Ongoing Field Tests 

Four network libraries (Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah) are participating in a field test of the next-generation digital, wifi-enabled talking-book player, DA-2s, and have begun distributing them to selected patrons. NLS is also conducting a field test of the Amazon Alexa smart speaker app. The app—a “skill” in Alexa lingo—allows users, via voice commands, to connect with BARD, search the collection, and stream books. This follows an initial test with 100 patrons last fall, which led to some refinements in the app. We hope to have more information in our next newsletter.