BARD logo

NLS BARD: Frequently Asked Questions

The BARD website

How do I change my password?

Go to the change BARD user ID and password page.

On this page, you can enter a new password. You will need to enter it twice to confirm it. If the two entries don't match exactly, the new password won't be accepted.

Your password must contain:

Once your new password is accepted, you will receive an email message confirming that you have changed your password.

What do I do if I lose my password?

To recover a lost or forgotten password yourself, direct your web browser to reset your lost password page and fill out the form.  You will be prompted to answer a question which you set during your initial log in. You will receive an email message with a new, temporary password. That temporary password will be valid until you successfully log in and change it.

If you have not previously set a secret question and answer, you will need to send an email to   asking for your password to be reset. You will receive an email message with a temporary password.

Can I change my user ID?  Can I change my email address?

Your user ID is your email address. To change it, go to the change your BARD user ID and email address page.

On this page you can enter a new email address. You will need to enter it twice to make sure you have entered it correctly. If the two entries don't match exactly, the new address won't be accepted.

Your new email address becomes your user ID. A new temporary password will be sent to this address, so make sure you use an email address to which you have immediate access.

The books, musical scores, magazines, and other materials

How many books are available for download?

As of March 2012, there are more than twenty-five thousand books available. This number increases weekly.

What books are being added?

NLS will add every new digital book (braille and audio) it produces once it has met the quality standards. NLS also continues to convert many older books to digital format.

Soon NLS will be adding digital books submitted by other agencies.

When are books added?

NLS-produced books are added to the downloadable collection soon after they have been approved to be added to the general collection. Books submitted by other agencies will be added soon after they are submitted.

Why are some books from a series missing? Why are some magazine issues missing?

While NLS always makes an effort to offer the complete book series, some books in a series are not available in a digital form. NLS will convert these missing books from analog recordings when possible.

NLS-produced magazine issues must meet strict quality-control standards held by NLS. In some cases, individual issues can be held up by production problems that cause them not to meet these standards. NLS works with its magazine producers to solve problems as quickly as possible so the magazine issue can be posted to the website.

What do I do if I find a problem in a book or magazine?

Please report the problem—including the title, author, prefix, and five-digit number of the book to . In the case of digital talking books, your player can tell you the time elapsed as of your current reading position. If possible, please include this information in your message. Listing the five-digit book number and its prefix in your message’s subject line is also helpful.

What's available here that I can't get from my NLS library?

All NLS-produced materials are available at your library on another medium.

NLS will begin adding items to the downloadable collection that it did not produce. Many of these items may not be available at your NLS library. However, your library may be able to get a copy of some materials it does not have for you through interlibrary loan. Contact your library for more information.

Special collection materials, such as music and foreign-language books, also may not be available at your NLS library. Contact the NLS Music Section here to request special format music materials. Foreign-language materials can be obtained by your NLS library through interlibrary loan.

What's not available here that I can get from my NLS library?

Your library's collection is far more extensive than the downloadable collection. NLS continues to add materials to the downloadable collection, including all its newly produced titles. However, the absence of a title in the downloadable collection does not mean the item is not available at all. You should check your library's catalog or the NLS catalog.

Can you add a specific title, please?

All books currently selected by NLS are produced in digital format. Check the NLS catalog: if a book is listed as IN PROCESS, it will appear on the BARD site when production and quality checks have been completed.

Thousands of older audiobook titles have been selected for conversion from analog to digital format. This is a long-term project. Some older books are unsuitable for conversion and must be re-recorded or, in some cases, removed from the conversion list (books long out of print and prohibitively expensive, for example); these books will continue to be available on cassette, but may not ever become available as digital talking books.

It is useful to contact your network library if you think you have discovered a title missing from a series, a duplication, or some other kind of inconsistency. The information will be forwarded to appropriate NLS staff for action.

BARD is not a books-on-request service, but, following long-standing NLS policy, patrons are encouraged to bring their reading needs to the attention of NLS by contacting their regional or subregional library. The librarians will then query NLS and report back to the patron.

How long will magazine issues be kept on the site?

At this time, NLS plans to keep magazine issues available indefinitely.

Finding books

How do I find a book to read?

The easiest way to find a book is to use the "Search the collection" field on the BARD main page. Enter a word or two that relates to the title, author, or subject you are interested in. *You will receive more targeted results if you put an exact phrase from the title or the exact title in quotes. Or, you can browse the entire NLS catalog by author, title, or subject using the links provided.

What's the quickest way to find a specific book?

Use the "Search the collection" field, entering as many words of the title as you can. All the words you enter must appear in the title, so do not use words unless you are certain they are part of the book's title.

You can also search for a specific author by putting the author's name in quotation marks. Include the author's last name, a comma, a space, and the first name such as: "Shakespeare, William."

How do I search by narrator?

Enter the narrator's name, first name first, into the "Search the collection" box. Or, enter the book's five-digit book number into the "Search the collection" box.

How do I search by book number?

Enter the book’s five-digit book number into the “Search the collection” box. When looking for a book in a particular format, i.e. braille or audio, enter the prefix and the five-digit book number into the “Search the collection” box. 

Why can't I search by a combination of factors?

This is a capability NLS hopes to add in the near future.

Downloading books

I just downloaded a book to my computer, but now I can't find it. Where did my download go?

There are two good places to check: the first is on your desktop and the second is in your documents folder.

Each web browser handles downloads slightly differently. In most cases unless you set a default location for downloads, you will be asked with each download where you would like to save it.

Many users choose to create a "My downloads" folder inside their documents folder and use that as the default destination for downloads.

Microsoft Internet Explorer will automatically default to the place you specified during your previous download.

To set your default location for downloads in Firefox, choose "Options" from the "Tools" menu. On the main tab, you can specify a default location by choosing the radio button called "Save files to" and entering a directory name in the entry field.

If you know how to search your computer for files and folders you can always search "DB-" (without quotes) to locate audiobooks and "BR-" (without quotes) to locate braille books.

I want to download a volume of a braille book. How?

Digital braille volumes are available by accessing the collection through the online catalog and through the HTML web version of Braille Book Review.

Accessing braille volumes through the online catalog

To access digital braille volumes through the online catalog, users should follow these steps:

  1. Go to the NLS website.
  2. Select the "Search the Catalog" link at the top of the page.
  3. Use the "quick search" facility. Type the words "web braille" (no quotes and a space between the two words) in the Keyword box. Note that the star or asterisk (*) may not be used as a wild card when using the keyword edit field to search the main catalog. Interactive links to available downloadable braille volumes are within each record.
  4. After activating a link to the desired downloadable volume (which will always start with "https://hdl.loc.gov") users are automatically directed to BARD. When prompted, users should enter their BARD log-in ID and password to download their selection. Note that after users log in they may be prompted to change their password and/or review and agree to the pledge.

Accessing braille volumes through the online version of Braille Book Review

To access digital braille volumes through the online version of Braille Book Review, users should follow these steps:

  1. Go to the NLS website.
  2. Select the "Read Braille Book Review" link.
  3. From the body of the HTML version, activate the link of the desired volume.
  4. After activating a link to the desired downloadable volume users are automatically directed to BARD. When prompted, users should enter their BARD log-in ID and password to download their selection. Note that after users log in they may be prompted to change their password and/or review and agree to the pledge.

Can I put more than one audiobook on a cartridge? How?

This depends on how your player handles multiple books. If you are using a third-party player, please see your player's documentation for the answer to this question.

If you are using the NLS player, the "bookshelf mode" of the player allows you to have multiple books on a cartridge. To make use of this mode, put each book in its own folder on your cartridge.

To enter bookshelf mode on your NLS player, hold down the "play" button until you hear the player go into bookshelf mode. Release the play button. Now you can use the arrows at each end of the play button to move to the books that are available. When you hear the title you wish to read, simply hit the play button.

If you have further questions about using your NLS player to play multiple books, please contact the library that loaned the player to you. Note: All files must be in the proper format (digital audio) to be read with the NLS players; the players will not recognize .brf (braille) files.

How do I know if the audiobook I want will fit on my cartridge?

The website lists books with their reading times. These translate to file size at a rate of approximately 11 megabytes per hour. A one gigabyte cartridge will hold just under 96 hours and a two gigabyte cartridge will hold about 192 hours.

How do I move an audiobook to my player?

Open the .zip file you downloaded to your computer. There are several popular software packages that handle this function. If you are using Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Mac OS X, this function is built-in.

When using a Windows-based computer, select all of the files by simultaneously pressing "control" and "A." Copy the files to the clipboard by pressing "control" and "C." Navigate to your thumb drive, cartridge, or 3rd party SD card and paste the files with "control" and "V" into the appropriate directory.

On a Macintosh, use the "command" key instead of the control key.

Reading books

My player says I am not authorized to read this book. What does that mean?

This can be caused by three things:

  1. If you have purchased your own digital talking-book player, you have not completed the steps needed to enable your player to use NLS materials. Soon after receiving your user ID and password for the download site from NLS, you should have received an email message from your player manufacturer that included one or more files needed to authorize your player along with instructions on how to do so. If you did not receive these, please contact your player's manufacturer.

    If this is your second or later device, or if you indicated a different device type than when you first applied for a download account, go to the BARD home page and simply follow the links called "update account settings" and "add a purchase player," starting at the home page.

  2. You have not completely transferred your digital talking book to your cartridge. This is usually the result of a copy operation that failed, or an incomplete download from BARD.

  3. You have not transferred your digital talking book into the necessary directory on your third party player memory card. Please refer to your player's user manual for information on where to place books on the memory card.

Can I listen to downloaded audiobooks on my computer?

Not at this time.

How do I read digital braille books?

There are a variety of devices that users can use to read digital braille materials. Web-Braille files may be read online or may be downloaded for offline reading or embossing with a braille display, braille-aware notetaker, or braille embosser. Zipped files must always be unzipped before being read.

The mailing list: BARD-Support

How do I subscribe to this mailing list?

To subscribe to the NLS BARD support list, open the subscription page at: https://updates.loc.gov/accounts/USLOC/subscriber/new?topic_id=USLOC_119&origin=https://www.loc.gov/rss/

Enter your email address and select the Submit button. This will bring you to a confirmation page where you’ll be required to confirm your email address and choose your delivery preferences. Finally, select the Submit button to subscribe to the list.

How do I unsubscribe from the mailing list?

To unsubscribe, select the Subscriber preferences link at the bottom of the most recent message from BARD Support. Enter your email address and select the Submit button. On the subsequent web page, check the box associated with the topic you wish to unsubscribe from, and then select the Submit button.

BARD Mobile for iOS devices

Who can use the NLS BARD Mobile application?

The NLS BARD Mobile application is free to download from the online App Store, but only eligible NLS patrons can use it. You must have a previously established Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) account (user name and password) to download and read materials.

What books and magazines are available for download using the application?

Anything that is available on BARD is available for download; however materials must be downloaded from either your personal BARD wish list or the Recently Added Books and Magazines list.

What type of device do I need to use the application?

The BARD Mobile application for iOS can be used with any iOS device that runs a 5.0 or later operating system. Specifically that means a 3-G-S or later iPhone, a 4th or 5th generation iPod touch, and/or any iPad.

How do I get the iOS application on my device?

From the device you wish to install BARD Mobile on, go to the App store app and enter the words “bard mobile” in the search text field. Once you find the app, select the Install button. The NLS BARD Mobile application will install on your device.

Do I need to register my device on BARD?

No. The device will register itself the first time you log in to BARD Mobile using your BARD user name and password.

I lost my device. What do I do?

  1. Immediately change your BARD password

    If you lose your device, the first thing you should do is change your BARD password using a web browser. This will prevent anyone using the mobile app on the lost phone from logging in and downloading any further books using your account. You will need to re-log in using your new password from any other mobile device.

  2. Report your lost device to your library

    Report your lost device to your library. Make sure to include your BARD login ID, the type of device it was, and the date you started using it (if you can remember). The library will use this information to delete the device from your account. You may also contact   if you are unable to contact your library.

How do I apply for BARD using my device?

Open a web browser from your device and go to nlsbard.loc.gov. Select the link to the BARD application instructions. From the BARD application instructions page select Link to BARD application for individuals. You will be presented with a drop-down list of network libraries. Choose your library from the list and then select the Submit button.

Fill in all of the information in the application. Note that the field labeled “Please select the type of player you will be using” is for users of 3rd party talking-book players and/or braille notetakers. You do not need to select anything from this list. Submit your application.

Once your application is processed by your network library, you will be emailed a temporary password. You must login to BARD, using a web browser and change your password before logging into BARD Mobile.

I don’t know how to use my iOS device. Where can I get some help?

There are many resources available for using iOS devices. Here are a few free resources to get you started.

Webpage: 20 Quick Tips to Get You Started with Your First iPhone
www.applevis.com/guides/ios/20-quick-tips-get-you-started-your-first-iphone

Video Tutorial: Phone Capabilities Of The iPhone 5
carroll.org/video-tutorials/new-phone-capabilities-of-the-iphone-5/

Video Tutorial: Introduction To The iPhone 5
carroll.org/video-tutorials/introduction-to-the-iphone-5/

There are also several resources available for a fee.

Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users, by Anna Dresner with
Dean Martineau http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IPHONE-IOS5.html, $22

iPhone: The Missing Manual, 6th Edition, by David Pogue
http://www.davidpogue.com/books/, $11.99

Why does downloading stop when I leave the app?

Applications are limited by iOS in what they can do while in the background. BARD Mobile can continue playing an audiobook, but not downloading.

How do I return to a long list of items?

In some long lists of items, such as those in Recently Added Titles, there are More info buttons. If you select one of these buttons, a details screen will appear displaying more information about the book. If you then press the back button in the upper left corner of the screen, you will be returned to the long list. At this point, the VoiceOver focus is on the “get books, back” button. If you flick right, go past the heading, and enter the list from the top of the screen, the display will jump to the top and you will be on the first item of the list. If instead you don’t flick but touch the very center of the screen, the focus will go to the point (or very near the point) from which you left the list.

I need help using VoiceOver. Where can I find it?

VoiceOver Gestures Tutorial
http://accessibility.umn.edu/tl_files/accessibility/podcasts/gestures.pdf

Video Tutorial: Gestures With Voiceover On The iPhone 4S
carroll.org/video-tutorials/gestures-with-voiceover-on-the-iphone-4s/

App Tutorial: LookTel VoiceOver Tutorial
itunes.apple.com/us/app/looktel-voiceover-tutorial/id598788231?mt=8

Where can I get help using the BARD Mobile application?

The BARD Mobile user guide is available from the bookshelf in the app, under Help. It is also available in an HTML version online at https://nlsbard.loc.gov/apidocs/BARDMobile.userguide.iOS.1.1.html

Also, NLS produced a series of videos covering how to use BARD Mobile. Access the videos online at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpAGnumt6iV7Aap_-C8b-8pR_HCxnh_Ls

Contact your local braille and talking-book library for additional assistance.

BARD Mobile for Android devices

Who can use the NLS BARD Mobile application?

The NLS BARD Mobile application is free to download from the Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore (for Kindle Fire devices), but only eligible NLS patrons can use it. You must have a previously established Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) account (user name and password) to download and read materials.

What books and magazines are available for download using the application?

All audiobooks on BARD are available for download, however materials must be downloaded from either your personal BARD wish list or the Recently Added Books and Magazines list. BARD Mobile for Android does not support braille at this time.

What type of device do I need to use the application?

The BARD Mobile application for Android was designed to work best on devices that run Android OS 4.1 (Jelly Bean) or later. The app will also work on second-generation Kindle Fire devices.

How do I get the Android application on my device?

From the device you wish to install BARD Mobile on, go to the Google Play Store or the Amazon Appstore (for Kindle Fire devices) and enter the words “bard mobile” in the search text field. Once you find the app, follow the prompts to install the app on your device.

Do I need to register my device on BARD?

No. The device will register itself the first time you log in to BARD Mobile using your BARD user name and password.

I lost my device. What do I do?

  1. Immediately change your BARD password
    If you lose your device, the first thing you should do is change your BARD password using a web browser. This will prevent anyone using the mobile app on the lost phone from logging in and downloading any further books using your account. You will need to re-log in using your new password from any other mobile device.
  2. Report your lost device to your library
    Report your lost device to your library. Make sure to include your BARD login ID, the type of device it was, and the date you started using it (if you can remember). The library will use this information to delete the device from your account. You may also contact   if you are unable to contact your library.

How do I apply for BARD using my device?

Open a web browser from your device and go to nlsbard.loc.gov. Select the link to the BARD application instructions. From the BARD application instructions page select Link to BARD application for individuals. You will be presented with a drop-down list of network libraries. Choose your library from the list and then select the Submit button.
Fill in all of the information in the application. Note that the field labeled “Please select the type of player you will be using” is for users of 3rd party talking-book players and/or braille notetakers. You do not need to select anything from this list. Submit your application.
Once your application is processed by your network library, you will be emailed a temporary password. You must login to BARD, using a web browser and change your password before logging into BARD Mobile.

I need help using TalkBack. Where can I find it?

Because there are many different Android devices running different versions of the Android operating system it is difficult to make recommendations that will cover all the bases. NLS recommends the following resources.

      1. https://support.google.com/accessibility/android#topic=6007234
      2. http://www.androidcentral.com/basic-accessibility-settings-android
      3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKBcDuCEH9I
      4. NLS also produced a BARD Mobile How-To video series which included one video focused on using based TalkBack gestures with BARD Mobile. It is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBuqN8-UOZQ

Where can I get help using the BARD Mobile application?

The BARD Mobile user guide is available from the bookshelf in the app, under Help. It is also available in an HTML version online at
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/apidocs/android/v1.0/toc.html
Also, NLS produced a series of videos covering how to use BARD Mobile. Access the videos online at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpAGnumt6iV7Aap_-C8b-8pR_HCxnh_Ls
Contact your local braille and talking-book library for additional assistance.

BARD Express

What is BARD Express?

BARD Express is a free downloadable software application designed to simplify searching for, downloading, and transferring audio titles from the BARD website to a cartridge or external USB flash drive for playback in a digital player.

Who can use BARD Express?

BARD Express is available for use by eligible NLS patrons. You must have an established BARD account, with a user name and password, to use BARD Express.

What types of books and magazines are available for download?

BARD Express enables users to download audio materials that are available in the BARD collection.

What type of computer do I need to run BARD Express?

BARD Express is a Windows-based application that runs on personal computers running Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1, and Windows 10. BARD Express does not run on Apple computers.

Which screen readers work with BARD Express?

Window eyes, NVDA, and JAWS For Windows were tested with BARD Express.

Where do I get BARD Express?

You can download BARD Express from the link on the BARD Main Page under the heading Additional Links.

How do I access BARD with BARD Express

Use your BARD user name and password to log into BARD Express.
If you don’t have a BARD account, contact your regional library, or apply for one here: BARD Individual Application. From this page choose your library from the drop-down list of network libraries and select the Submit button. Fill in all of the information in the application.

Note that the field labeled “Please select the type of player you will be using” is for users of 3rd party talking-book players and/or braille notetakers. You do not need to select anything from this list. Submit your application.
Once your application is processed by your network library, you will be emailed a temporary password. You must login to BARD using a web browser and change your password before logging into BARD Express.

Where can I get some help using BARD Express?

BARD Express comes with a comprehensive Help system. While running the program, press the F1 key to access the Help system.
A full user guide is available here: [Insert link to full user guide]
NLS has also produced a set of tutorial videos, called the BARD Express How-To Series, that describe how to use the functions and features of BARD Express. Select the link below to access the video of your choice.

An Introduction
Browsing the BARD Collection   
Transferring Materials to a Cartridge
Browsing the Recently Added and Most Popular Lists  
Searching the BARD Collection  
Using Your Wish List
Setting and Changing Preferences  
Managing Devices   
Tips and Tricks   

Access the whole series here: BARD Express How-To Series For additional assistance or support contact your local braille and talking-book library.

What if I forget my BARD password?

Option 1: Open the BARD login page using your computer at: https://nlsbard.loc.gov and choose the link “Reset your BARD password here.” Fill out the form to create a new password.

Option 2: Contact your local braille and talking-book library and tell them you’d like assistance resetting your BARD password.

Option 3: Send an email to   to request assistance resetting your BARD password. After using the temporary password you are provided, reestablish a permanent password on the BARD website, then log into BARD Express with your user name and new password.

Note that BARD Express will remember your login credentials after the first time you log in. If you change your username (email address) or password using the BARD web interface you will need to reset your credentials in BARD Express, or simply log into BARD Express using your new username or password. 

How can I change my user ID/email address?

Your user ID is your email address. To change it, log into your BARD account. Choose the link "Update Account Settings," and then the link "Change Your Email Address." On this page you can enter a new email address. You will need to enter it twice to make sure you have entered it correctly. If the two entries don't match exactly, the new address won't be accepted.

Your new email address becomes your user ID. A new temporary password will be sent to this address, so make sure you use an email address to which you have immediate access.

Any time you update the email address associated with your BARD account, BARD will require you to change your password.

Note that BARD Express will remember your login credentials after the first time you log in. If you change your username (email address) or password using the BARD web interface you will need to reset your credentials in BARD Express, or simply log into BARD Express using your new username or password.

I just downloaded a title using BARD Express, where did it go?

All materials you download using BARD Express will be stored on your BARD Express Bookshelf, which is accessed using the Bookshelf button from the main menu.

How do I move an audiobook from the computer to a cartridge for playback in my digital talking-book player?

After choosing a title from the BARD Express bookshelf, use the Copy To Cartridge button to begin the process of moving your book or magazine to an external storage device connected to your computer, such as an NLS cartridge or USB flash drive. Highlight the drive to which you want to move the book or magazine, and select the Okay button. BARD Express will unzip the file that was downloaded from BARD and copy it to the storage device. Disconnect the device from your computer and enjoy your book!


This document was last updated on : 12/01/2016


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