BARD Resources

Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) is a service of the National Library Services for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) which is available to Kansas Talking Books patrons. BARD offers more than 150,000 accessible titles for a variety of devices. 

BARD users must be current, active Kansas Talking Books patrons, have a valid email address and internet connection. Below are details on the many ways and devices you can use BARD to download titles to play on digital talking book machines (DTBM) or on mobile devices.

BARD Applications

Fill out the application completely. If approved you will receive an email message with sign-on information.  If there is an issue you will receive a message explaining the problem. 

Kansas Talking Book patrons should select KS - The State Library of Kansas, Talking Book Services (in Emporia KS) to begin the application process.

The Many Faces of BARD

NLS hosts a BARD event monthly on the second Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (Central Standard). These events are held virtually and open to all. The events are recorded. The previous event recordings are great learning sessions for BARD users.

BARD Website

BARD is accessible on Windows and Apple computers and laptops. Users download books and magazines from the website to a flash drive, then insert flash drive in the DTBM.

BARD Express

A Windows desktop application to facilitate searching, downloading and transferring reading materials to a flash drive.

BARD on Apple/iOS Devices

Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads, have features, like Voice Over, which make BARD Mobile for iOS fully accessible.

BARD on Google/Android Devices

Android phones and tablets, such as Google Pixel and phones made by Samsung or LG, are compatible with BARD Mobile to listen to books.

BARD on Kindle Fire

Kindle Fire is a tablet by Amazon with a specific BARD Mobile app.

BARD on HumanWare eReader

BARD content can be read with refreshable braille displays, sometimes referred to as braille eReaders. These are devices with small pins that electronically move up and down through holes representing a braille cell. They refresh for each line of braille as users move their fingers across the cells as if reading braille on paper.

BARD on Victor Reader Stream

A commercial or third-party handheld, pocket size digital media player with wireless connection able to access BARD directly or access material downloaded to SD card that is then inserted into the device.

BARD on BlindShell

An easy to use smartphone with tactile keypad, voice control and more features, that can access BARD via mobile app.

BARD on Chromebooks

Chromebooks are laptops using a specific Google operating system.