Tag Archives: BARD

That All May Read Magazines

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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.

Using BARD for Spanish Speakers

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Spanish is a high priority international language. BARD has a Spanish language collection, and its interface is available in Spanish on the web version and also both iOS and Android BARD apps.

Spanish Language Books

NLS has a Spanish version of the NLS website and a robust and growing Spanish language collection.

There are three main sources for Spanish audiobooks:

  1. NLS narrates print or ebooks,
  2. NLS converts Spanish commercial audiobooks to accessible audiobooks, and
  3. NLS imports accessible audiobooks in Spanish from other countries via the Marrakesh Treaty. The vast majority of these come from Spain.

NLS collects both translations into Spanish and original-Spanish language books from as many Spanish-speaking countries as possible.

BARD

On BARD, there are currently 6,499 audiobooks and 62 braille books in Spanish (including music titles). The Spanish collection has increased by 150% over the past 3 and a half years.

Finding Spanish Language Books in BARD

You can find these Spanish language titles by changing your preferred language or filtering search results by selecting your preferred language.

BARD Website

  1. Go to Account Settings.
  2. Choose the fourth item down “Select this link to change your language preferences.”
  3. Check the checkbox next to Spanish.
  4. Click on the “update” button.

BARD Express

  1. Go to Search BARD.
  2. Select the “Filter” button.
  3. Select the checkbox next to Spanish Language.
  4. Select the “Ok” button at bottom of the screen.

BARD app for iOS

  1. Go to Settings Tab.
  2. Go to User Account Settings.
  3. The fifth item down is “Language Preferences.”
  4. Choose Spanish.

BARD App for Android

  1. In the app’s Settings, go to User Account Settings and then Language Preferences.
  2. Select up to four languages.
  3. When searching for books in the app, you will have up to four languages based on your settings. Default languages are English and Spanish if no changes are made.

Learning a Language with BARD

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One of the most popular requests we get at the Talking Book Program are from patrons who want to learn a language. We have several different self-instruction programs in our collection to help you dive right in.

Behind the Wheel: Behind the Wheel provides a flexible, solid, and universal foundation in speaking, understanding, and creatively expressing yourself in your chosen language. The program features an English-speaking instructor to guide you through the lessons and native speakers to aid with your pronunciation. Includes supplementary materials in Braille to reinforce and enhance the audio experience.

Languages in the TBP collection: Arabic, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.

Berlitz Self Teacher: Braille language study guides designed for the student working alone.  Stressing oral practice, the guides present each lesson as a conversational dialogue incorporating vocabulary and grammatical points. Each sentence is followed by a pronunciation guide and English translation. Questions follow each lesson, and, where appropriate, tips on customs are given.

Languages in the TBP collection: English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Drive Time: is a simplified program to learn the basics of vocabulary, grammar, conversation, and culture for a given language. The experts at Living Language have created a course that includes four hours of language lessons that you can use anywhere and anytime. It includes conversational lessons so you can practice listening and speaking a language naturally. The courses also have plenty of pronunciation exercises, simple explanations, examples, and real conversational practice.

Languages in the TBP collection: French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. We also have intermediate English. 

eTicket Audio Phrasebooks: Produced by Living Language, these audio phrasebooks contain simple and practical phrases, containing all the essentials for a trip.

Languages in TBP collection: Spanish and English for Spanish speakers.

Pimsleur®: is a way to learn a language through a program of short lessons using methods derived from research on memory and learning. The emphasis is on pronunciation and comprehension, and on learning to speak the language. Features native speakers.

Languages in the TBP collection: Albanian, Armenian (Eastern and Western), Czech, Dutch, French, Greek (modern), Haitian Creole, Hebrew (modern), Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Spanish (Latin American), Swedish, and Thai.

English for Arabic, Cantonese Chinese, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish Speakers

Further Study

Once you learn the basics, you may want to find materials to read in your language of choice. BARD is here to help!

BARD: Change your preferred language

Filter search results by selecting your preferred language.

BARD website

1. BARD Main Page – Account Settings – 4th item down “Select this link to change your language preferences.”
2. Check the checkbox next to the language you are learning.
3. Hit the “update” button.

BARD Express

1. Go to Search BARD
2. Select the “Filter” button.
3. Select the checkbox next to one of the following languages:
Arabic
China
French Language Books, Fiction
German Language Books
Italian Language
Portuguese Language Titles
Spanish Language
4. Select the “Ok” button at bottom of the screen. Now all your search results will be in your chosen language.

BARD app for iOS and Android

1. Go to Settings Tab
2. Go to User Account Settings
3. Select “Language Preferences”
4. Tap the language you are learning. It will add books written in that language to your search results.

So, take this opportunity to learn a new language and let BARD help ease the way!

Many Faces of BARD Program: BARD 2.0: An Introduction and Demonstration

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Join the National Library Service (NLS) for the Many Faces of BARD program on Thursday, April 11, at 6:00 p.m. (Central). NLS will provide an introduction and demonstration of the new BARD 2.0.

BARD stands for Braille and Audio Reading Download service and is a registered trademark for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.  

Registration is not required. The session is scheduled for one hour with time for questions. Click on the link to join: https://tinyurl.com/bdcftz98  

BARD Mobile iOS Version 2.2.2 Release!

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The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is releasing BARD Mobile iOS version 2.2.2 this week, introducing enhanced features and improvements.

BARD Mobile enables NLS patrons to download and listen to audiobooks and magazines directly from their iOS devices. Registered Texas Talking Book patrons will need a BARD account and a device running iOS versions 14 through 17 to use this updated version of the app.

Among the highlights:

Siri shortcuts (voice user interface):

The app can now be operated by voice commands for playback and navigation, including stopping and resuming playback, fast-forward and rewind by various intervals, and setting a sleep timer or a bookmark. Users can add Siri shortcuts in the app’s settings.

International language search:

Set up to four languages in the app’s settings and then filter search results by selecting a preferred language.

Accessibility improvements for visually impaired users:

We have boosted color contrast between selected and unselected search categories. This update enhances visibility with Smart Invert, Classic Invert, and Dark Mode on.

Multiword search for Search/Search music

Bug fixes, including:

  • Garbled credentials error fixed
  • Switch from tone to speed is fixed on iOS 17
  • Get Books and Bookshelf now return only titles matching the type selected in the Show Me setting, i.e. Audio Only / Braille Only / Both Audio and Braille

The app supports iOS versions 14 through 17.

This is a phased release, and the version will be available to all users by February 29.

BARD Mobile Android Version 2.1.0 Release!

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The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is releasing BARD Mobile Android version 2.1.0 this week, introducing enhanced features and improvements.

BARD Mobile enables NLS patrons to download and listen to audiobooks and magazines directly from their Android devices. Registered Texas Talking Book patrons will need a BARD account and a device running Android OS version 9-14 in order to use this updated version of the app.

Among the highlights:

In-app search functionality

A fully supported in-app search function, including Music Collection search, for a more seamless experience.

Spanish translation

The app can now be set so its text and audio are in Spanish. To switch to Spanish, select it as the default language in your device settings. The app’s visual and TalkBack interface will adjust.

International language search option

Explore the new international language search option by choosing up to four languages in the app’s settings. Filter search results by selecting your preferred language.

Navigate to: App’s Settings > User Account Settings > Language Preferences > Select up to four languages.

When accessing Get Books – Search, you will have up to four languages based on your settings. Default languages are English and Spanish if no changes are made.

Compatibility and User Guide update

  • The app supports Android OS versions 9–14.
  • Please note that the User Guide is being updated and will be added later.

Users should be able to update supported Android devices by February 1, 2024. BARD Mobile users can confirm that they are running the latest version by checking the bottom of the app’s Settings screen.

New BARD Download Limits

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Beginning February 6, 2024, NLS patrons will be allowed to download no more than 250 books and magazines from BARD in any rolling thirty-day period. This download maximum includes both audio and braille titles, and across all BARD platforms. This means if you download 200 unique items using BARD Express, you can still download another 50 titles using the BARD mobile app on your smart device.

The download limit is calculated by adding up the number of “unique titles” downloaded. You can download the same title on additional devices in the same thirty-day period without that download counting against the limit.