Moving to a new state—or even to a new country—can be a big transition, but one thing you don’t have to worry about is continuing your Talking Book Program service. No matter where you’re headed, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) ensures uninterrupted access to reading materials for all eligible users. Whether you’re relocating across the U.S. or abroad, you can count on seamless service transfer, helpful staff, and additional resources to support your needs. This guide will walk you through how to maintain your service, return materials, and find disability-related support in your new location.
Heading off to college is an exciting transition, and the Texas Talking Book Program is here to support you every step of the way—whether you’re staying in-state or heading out of Texas. From transferring your service to another state’s talking book program to assisting with research for a paper, we’re committed to making sure you stay connected to the resources you need. While our collection doesn’t include textbooks, we do offer a wide range of supplementary materials that can enhance your studies. And if we don’t have what you need, we can also suggest alternative organizations that can help you locate accessible academic resources. This guide outlines everything you need to know as a college-bound student using the Talking Book Program—because even in college, we’re still your library.
It’s 2025, and we are almost a quarter of the way through the twenty-first century. The New York Times Book Review published a list of books compiled by their team of critics and editors from a survey the Book Review sent to novelists, nonfiction writers, poets, critics, and other literary enthusiasts. The assessment of the books was based on their impact, originality, and lasting influence. The resulting list, called the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century, was published by The New York Times. It ranks the 100 best books published in the English language since January 1, 2000.
Do you ever want something to read that is not an entire book? Maybe just an article here or there on a topic of interest to you, like home decorating, current affairs, or contemporary music.
NLS has magazines on a variety of subjects in both braille and audio formats. We even have magazines specifically geared towards children. We can send them directly to you through the mail or you can get that instant gratification by downloading them using our BARD service.
For a list of all magazines available through NLS check out the NLS Magazine website.
BARD website
1. On the BARD Main Page, go to the “Find Magazines and Other Materials” heading.
2. To find the most recent issue of a magazine
a. Click on the “Most recent issues” link.
b. The results list will contain the most recent issue of all the audio magazines first in alphabetical order followed by the most recent issues of all the braille magazine titles. You are given the option to download each issue individually.
3. To find a magazine by title
a. In the field to the right of “Magazines by title” is a drop-down menu containing a list of both audio and braille magazines listed alphabetically by title. Select the title you want and hit the “Go” button.
b. The results list will appear with the most recent issue of the magazine at the top. You are given the option to download each issue individually.
4. To subscribe to a magazine
a. In the field to the right of “Magazines by title” is a drop-down menu containing a list of both audio and braille magazines listed alphabetically by title. Select the title you want and hit the “Go” button.
b. At the top of the results page will be a button to click if you would like to subscribe to this specific magazine. Select it. New issues will automatically be added to your wish list.
BARD Express
1. To find a magazine by title
a. Click on the “Browse Magazines” button.
b. In the field to the right of “Filter” type in the beginning of the magazine title you want to read. For example, “Hu” for “Humpty Dumpty Magazine.” You should see the title appear in the results area below.
c. Select the magazine title.
2. To find the most recent issue of a magazine
a. Click on the “Browse Magazines” button.
b. In the field to the right of “Filter” type in the beginning of the magazine title you want to read. For example, “Hu” for “Humpty Dumpty Magazine.” You should see the title appear in the results area below.
c. Select the magazine title.
d. A list of the available issues should appear in the results field. Select the issue you want to download and then select the download option.
3. To subscribe to a magazine
a. Click on the “Browse Magazines” button.
b. In the field to the right of “Filter” type in the beginning of the magazine title you want to read. For example, “Hu” for “Humpty Dumpty Magazine.” You should see the title appear in the results area below.
c. Select the magazine title.
d. A list of the available issues should appear in the results field. Select the issue you want to download and then select the subscribe option.
BARD app for iOS and Android
1. To find a magazine by title
a. Go to “Get Books” icon.
b. Select “Browse magazines.”
c. Choose to select either “Audio magazines” or “Braille magazines.”
d. The magazine titles in your selected format will appear in alphabetical order.
e. A list of the available issues should appear on the screen with the most recent issue listed first. Select the download option.
2. To find a specific magazine by title
a. Go to “Get Books” icon.
b. Select “Browse magazines.”
c. Choose to select either “Audio magazines” or “Braille magazines.”
d. Tap the search field at the top of the screen so the typewriter appears.
e. Start typing in the title of the magazine until it appears in the results area below.
f. Select the title of the magazine you wish to download.
3. To subscribe to a magazine
a. Go to “Get Books” icon.
b. Select “Browse magazines.”
c. Choose to select either “Audio magazines” or “Braille magazines.”
d. The magazine titles available in your selected format will appear in alphabetical order.
e. Search for a specific magazine title you wish to download by tapping the search field at the top of the screen so the typewriter appears.
f. Start typing in the title of the magazine until it appears in the results area below.
g. Select the title of the magazine you wish to download.
h. A list of the available issues should appear on the screen with the most recent issue listed first.
i. Select the download option.
j. Select the “More info” button.
k. Select the “More actions” button.
l. Select the “Subscribe” button. New issues will automatically be added to your wish list.
Audio Magazines on Cartridge
We can subscribe you to magazines that we send on a digital cartridge through the mail. For available titles and to subscribe, call our Reader Services team at 1-800-252-9605 or 512-463-5458.
Physical Braille Magazines
We can subscribe you to hardcopy braille magazines that we send through the mail. For available titles and to subscribe, call our Reader Services team at 1-800-252-9605 or 512-463-5458.
Paulette Jiles, American poet and novelist, died July 9 at the age of 82 from gastric issues. She is best known for her National Book Award finalist, News of the World, which was our Texas Center for the Book Texas Great Read in 2017, and later made into a movie starring Tom Hanks.
For a more in-depth obituary, check out this one from Texas Monthly.
Here are the titles by Paulette Jiles in the TBP collection.
ENEMY WOMEN (DB 54327, BR 14191)
STORMY WEATHER (DB 66134)
COLOR OF LIGHTNING (DB 69626)
NEWS OF THE WORLD: A NOVEL (DB 86668, BR 21741)
SIMON THE FIDDLER (DB 102013)
CHENNEVILLE: A NOVEL OF MURDER, LOSS, AND VENGEANCE (DB 119430)
Do you want to learn to play an instrument? NLS has your back. All you need to do is find an instrument. We have instructions on how to learn to play many instruments as well as music scores for all levels of proficiency. We have music-oriented magazines and the NLS Music Section has a blog! We have almost anything a music enthusiast could want.
This is intended for those patrons wanting to learn an instrument. So, if you’ve been playing for years, check out the NLS Music Section (detailed below) for more information.
Finding Instructional Music Materials on BARD
BARD website
1. BARD Main Page – Find Music Books and Scores
2. Select “Music Collection.”
a. Instrument Instruction Materials
i. Scroll down to “Browse by subject.”
ii. In the dropdown menu to the right, scroll down and select “Instructional”, then select the “Go” button to the right.
iii. Results will come up for the instructional materials for all instruments. This will be a mix of instrument instruction as well as songs for beginners.
b. Instructions for playing music by ear
i. Type in the keyword search for “Flute by ear” and tap “Go.”
ii. Results will come up for the “Flute by ear materials.” This will be a mix of instrument instruction as well as songs for flute to be learned “by ear.” Just substitute one of the instruments listed below to find the specific one you want.
BARD Express
1. Go to “Browse by Subject.”
a. Instrument Instruction Materials
i. In the dropdown menu of subjects below, scroll down and select “Instructional.”
ii. Results will come up for the instructional materials for all instruments. This will be a mix of instrument instruction as well as songs for beginners.
iii. Type Ctrl+F and a screen will pop up. Enter the instrument you want and hit enter. This will pull up all the musical instructional materials for that instrument.
b. Instructions for playing music by ear
i. Select “Browse by subject.”
ii. In the dropdown menu of subjects below, scroll down and select “instructional.”
iii. Results will come up for the instructional materials for all instruments. This will be a mix of instrument instruction as well as songs for beginners.
iv. Type Ctrl+F and a screen will pop up. Type “By ear” into the filter field and select the “Ok” button.
c. Song Instructions for playing a specific instrument by ear
i. Select “Browse by Series.”
ii. In the filter field type “Flute.” The series title “Flute by ear” should appear below in the results field. Select it.
iii. Results will include individual songs in the flute by ear series.
BARD app for iOS and Android
1. Go to “Get Books” tab.
2. Select “Search Music.”
a. Browse Instrument Instruction Materials
i. Type in the keyword search “For the visually impaired” and tap “Go.”
ii. Results will come up for all the “Introduction to” materials for various different instruments by Bill Brown.
b. Instructions for a specific instrument
i. Type in a title search for “Intro to the flute” or “Flute for the visually impaired” and select the “Go” button.
ii. Results will come up with the instructions for the flute. Just substitute one of the instruments listed below to find the specific one you want.
c. Instructions for playing music by ear
i. Type in the keyword search for “By ear” and tap “Go.”
ii. Results will come up for all the “By ear materials.” This will be a mix of instrument instruction as well as songs for either piano or guitar to be learned “by ear.”
d. Instructions for playing a specific instrumentby ear
i. Type in “Guitar by ear” or substitute “Guitar” for one of the instruments listed below.
ii. Results will come up for all the by ear materials for that specific instrument.
Music Course Materials (Audio Format)
Bill Brown: Mr. Brown made a series of introductory courses for the guitar and piano that were recorded with the visually impaired in mind. Currently there are “Intro to…” courses for over a dozen instruments as well as hundreds of “by ear” song lessons for several of these instruments.
Instruments: Five-string banjo, chromatic button chord accordion, drums, flute, guitar (bass, flamenco, and lead), harmonica, mandolin, penny whistle, piano, piano by ear, saxophone (alto, tenor, and soprano), ukulele (baritone and soprano), and violin.
…By Ear Series: Many instruments have a “by ear” series that includes basic instruction as well as instruction for specific songs. Do a series search for the name of your instrument and add “by ear.” For example: Flute by Ear.
Instruments: Banjo, bass guitar, flute, guitar (includes ukulele), harmonica, piano, and saxophone (alto, tenor, and soprano).
Music Course Materials (Braille Format)
Belwin Orchestra Builder: This wonderful resource is for those who wish to teach someone else to play an instrument.
Instruments: Baritone, bassoon, cello, clarinet (alto and bass), drums, drums and bells, flute, horn, mellophone, oboe, piccolo, saxophone (alto, baritone, and tenor), string bass, trombone, trumpet (includes cornet), tuba, viola, and violin.
Another resource for braille music course materials is the Hadley School for the Blind.
Hadley Institute developed courses intended for adults who wish to learn braille music for themselves, to support braille music learners, and possibly pursue further training in teaching braille music or transcribing print music into braille. The courses are available in downloadable braille in BRF or in large print (LPM) in PDF. The braille and audio course materials are also available to download from the Music Collection on BARD in BRM or DBM.
NLS Music Section
Now you have the basics down or you’re already a virtuoso and you need music. That’s where the NLS Music Section comes into play.
The Music Section of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress, has the largest music collection of its kind in the world, with more than 25,000 titles including braille and large print scores and recorded instructional materials about music and musicians.
Any person eligible for NLS services is also eligible for NLS music services. While patrons receive most NLS services through the network of cooperating libraries, NLS music materials circulate directly to patrons from the NLS headquarters in Washington, DC.
How to Request Music Service
Patrons already registered with a cooperating network library should contact the NLS Music Section directly either via phone (800-424-8567 ext. 2) or via email (nlsm@loc.gov).
Finding Music Magazines and MORE on BARD
Music Magazines
Six music magazines are available by direct-mail subscription to registered users. Subscriptions may be obtained through the local cooperating library or the NLS Music Section. Several are also available via download from BARD. The magazines are:
Braille Music Magazine: a monthly British publication containing articles and criticism from British classical music magazines. Hard-copy embossed issues are mailed to all subscribers.
Contemporary Soundtrack: A Review of Pop, Jazz, Rock, and Country: a bimonthly NLS-compiled sampler of articles from national magazines. It is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
Musical Mainstream: an NLS-compiled sampler from national magazines. It contains current articles on classical music and music education. The quarterly publication is available in braille, ebraille, and audio. Audio is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
Popular Music Lead Sheets: an NLS-compiled collection of melodies, lyrics, and chords to popular songs ranging from oldies to recent hits. Published quarterly in braille, it is available on BARD.
Quarterly Music Magazine: a single issue of a complete music magazine chosen from among commercial popular and classical offerings. This audio publication is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
Sound and Vision: a monthly publication containing articles and reviews of music recordings and information about technological equipment. It is available to subscribers on cartridge and on BARD.
NLS Music Notes: The NLS Music Section blog, NLS Music Notes highlights the NLS music collection, presents newly added titles, profiles musicians who are blind or visually impaired, and features braille music transcribers and their work, along with a variety of related music topics and activities. New posts appear every Thursday.
Join the Talking Book Program for an author talk on Thursday, August 21 at7:00 p.m. (Central) with author, Larry D. Sweazy.
Reader’s Advisory Librarian, Laura Jean, will discuss Mr. Sweazy’s career and his Josiah Wolfe Series starting with RATTLESNAKE SEASON (DBC 13590). Following the talk, there will be a Q&A session.
Our Author Talks are held via Zoom, but you can join using just a telephone!
Participating is easy:
Use your landline to dial in via phone.
Use the “one-tap” number on your smartphone.
Alternatively, join via computer using the Zoom invitation we’ll send a week prior to the event.
To ensure you receive the necessary details, please RSVP in advance.
We invite you to ask Larry D. Sweazy questions about his series. Please submit your questions by August 14. We will select questions based on the responses to this form, and they may be asked during the event! Fill out the form here:Author Questions
To RSVP, you can fill out our online registration form: Register Here.
Or if you prefer, reply to this email, or call the Talking Book Program at 1-800-252-9605.
Please indicate if you would like us to mail you a digital cartridge with his book or if you prefer to download it from BARD. Also, please let us know if you would like a reminder via email or phone-call (or both).
RATTLESNAKE SEASON: A JOSIAH WOLFE, TEXAS RANGER NOVEL (DBC 13590) by Larry D. Sweazy.
NLS Annotation: A character-rich western novel about a Texas Ranger, Josiah Wolfe, who is haunted by dark memories, on the hunt for a former friend turned killer. Some descriptions of sex. Some strong language. Violence.
We look forward to having you join us on Thursday, August 21!
Jenna Bush Hager’s “Read with Jenna Jr.” is an annual tradition that was started in 2023. It continues every summer, with Jenna releasing a kid-friendly reading list covering various age groups, including picture books, middle grade reads, and young adult books.
We’ve included all the books in the NLS collection starting from the first year of Jenna’s Jr. Summer Reading Recommendations. We’re hoping you can find something that will fill your summer with reading fun!
Founded in 2009, The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction celebrates quality, innovation, and ambition of writing for books published in the last year in the UK, Ireland, or the Commonwealth. In order to qualify, the majority of the storyline must have taken place at least 60 years ago. The winner was announced at the Borders Book Festival on Thursday, June 12.
Brian Wilson passed away on June 11. He was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. NLS has two of his memoirs in our collection.
