BARD (Downloadable Books)

About BARD (Braille & Audio Reading Download)

BARD is a free service provided by the National Library Service, Library of Congress, that allows patrons to download or stream audio, electronic braille, and magazine titles through a mobile device or computer using the BARD Mobile App, BARD web player, BARD Express, and My Talking Books skill on a smart speaker.

1. Sign up for BARD

For access to BARD, a patron needs an email address and an internet connection. Contact us to request a BARD account.

2. Using BARD Mobile App (on a device)

The BARD Mobile app is free and allows patrons to read audiobooks and download ebraille on their smartphones, tablets, and Amazon Kindle devices.

Apple iOS Resources

BARD Mobile is available to download on the Apple iPhone and iPad.

Download the app at BARD for Apple iOS.
Apple iOS User Manuals

BARD Mobile User Manual for iOS - iOS or iPadOS 14 and higher.
BARD Mobile User Manual for iOS in electronic braille [BRF] volume one and BARD Mobile User Manual for iOS in electronic braille [BRF] volume two.

You can also watch videos on How to Use BARD Mobile for iOS External.

Android Resources

BARD Mobile is available to download on Android smartphones and tablets.

Download the app at BARD for Android.
Android User Guides

BARD Mobile User Manual for Android - Android OS 12 through 15.
BARD Mobile User Manual for Android in electronic braille [BRF].

You can also watch videos on How to Use BARD Mobile for Android.

Amazon Kindle Resources

BARD Mobile is available to download on Android smartphones and tablets.

Download the app at BARD for Amazon Kindle.
BARD Mobile User Manual for Fire Tablets [HTML] - Fire OS 7 and higher.
BARD Mobile User Manual for Fire Tablet in electronic braille [BRF].

3. Using the BARD Website (in a browser)

Use the BARD Website to:

Browse the BARD collection, manage your Wish List, and modify your account settings.
Download books onto a USB flash drives (No larger than 32GBs) or one of your own purchased blank talking book cartridges for use in either an NLS Digital Talking Book Player, or another NLS-compatible commercially available device.

Visit NLS’s Welcome to BARD webpage for instructions on using the BARD website.

4. Using BARD Express

Use BARD Express to:

Easily download and copy books to your USB flash drives, SD cards, or blank talking book cartridges to listen to on an NLS Talking Book Player, or another NLS-compatible commercially available device. BARD Express will do all the work for you!
Browse the BARD collection without having to visit the website.
Listen to books on your computer with the built-in audio player.

For help using BARD Express:

Note: BARD Express is only compatible with Windows computers.

5. BARD Smart Speaker Skill

BARD is now available on Amazon Alexa smart speakers through the My Talking Books skill. You will need your own smart speaker and Amazon account to use this skill.

Note: The My Talking Books skill is currently only available for Amazon Alexa smart speakers.

Submit the My Talking Books Registration Form in order to gain access to the My Talking Books skill.
My Talking Books User Guide.
Access My Talking Books Command List for a full list of commands and phrases to navigate the smart speaker skill.

For more information, visit Welcome to My Talking Books on Smart Speaker from NLS.

More Information

NLS BARD Frequently Asked Questions (NLS Website).
Subscribe to the NLS BARD support list to receive email news from NLS about BARD.
NLS’s monthly The Many Faces of BARD online programs focus on a different aspect of BARD every month and are open to all. There are usually opportunities to ask questions at the end of each session.
NLS’s monthly That All May eRead online programs focus on using the NLS Braille eReaders.