<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">Hello, Everyone,<div dir="ltr"></div><div><br></div><div>I wanted to share a resource for DA2 Player users, and updates related to NLS. and recent circumstances.</div><div><br></div><div>11-15-2025 Braille And Tech Report</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As much as I don't like to and try to avoid bringing politics into braille and tech commitee reports, I had to make an exception due to recent circumstances. I wanted to give a summary of recent events, some clarifications, and, recent updates of where things stand as of right now.</div><div>First, I'd like to clarify a few things, and give a summary of recent events:</div><div><br></div><div>When there's a government shutdown, as was the case, BARD. is still available, and the BARD. support staff are still available.</div><div>Sending an email to:</div><div>NLSDownload@loc.gov</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>While the NLS. themselves don't add books to BARD. NLS. libraries can and still do so if they have the resources.</div><div>Ohio Library For The Blind is still open, and was open during this shutdown. This is because we have state and local resources as well as federal funding. </div><div>Although I will accknowledge that some NLS. libraries did have to close because they operate more on federal funding.</div><div>All NLS. Patron Enjagement programs were suspended.</div><div>The My Talking Books Skill for Beady A was taken offline. We will talk a little more about that later.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Recent Status Update:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>NLS. Patron Engagement will return to their regularly scheduled programming in December.</div><div>The only program that will be coneld in November is the final session of BARD. 2.0 Office Hours, which will take place on Tue. Nov. 18th at 8 PM. There will be no presentation, and questions will be taken on a first come first serve basis. This session will not be recorded.</div><div>New books are being and have already been added to BARD.</div><div><br></div><div>Update on My Talking Books:</div><div>The skill was taken offline on November 1st.</div><div>The skill will be put back online, however, it is going to take some time for that to happen. I cannot give you a timeline for when that will happen. Your profile will be retained, and you will not have to re-authenticate.</div><div><br></div><div>To clarify a few things:</div><div> </div><div>While the skill was and is offline, there's no need to panic! BARD. is still here, and you can still download books, and listen on your phone, tablet, Windows PC. and your DA2 Players.</div><div>You don't have to go out and download as many books as can, or download your whole wishlist. In fact, I highly recommend NOT doing that for several reasons.</div><div>1. It will bog down and fill up your device</div><div>2. You can download 21 books every 30 days, and it does not carry over. Therefore, you're very likely going to hit your download limit pretty quickly.</div><div><br></div><div>My Recommendations:</div><div><br></div><div>Watch for and read any emails you get from NLS. and/or OLBPD. or the Patron Engagement Section.</div><div>I can't stress this enough, read those emails in their entireity!</div><div>If you have questions about BARD. 2.0 if you can, I would strongly advise coming to BARD. 2.0 Office Hours.</div><div><br></div><div>We need to give the NLS. their staff, as well as other agencies and their staff, time, grace, and patience, among other things.</div><div>This is a time where we as members, the disability community, citizens, and a society need to come together, meet each other where we are, and fjgure out how we can help each other, not tear each other apart. No matter what your beliefs are, or what side of the aisile you're on.</div><div>We also need to give each other compassion, patience, grace, understanding, kindness, and time, and at least try to mevert each other where we are.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I also would like to share a resource that will be helpful for people, that are related to the DA2 player.</div><div>An HTML. version of the DA2 User guide is available. This is the user mamual for the DA2 player, and covers getting started and beyond. I highly recommend you read and keep this user guide, especially if you're thinking about getting a DA2, you've recently received one, or, are going to get one.</div><div>Here is the link to access it:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/da2-user-guide/">https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/da2-user-guide/</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, and I will do my best to answer your questions honestly, and accurately.</div><div><br></div><div>Dawn Bilpuch</div><div> </div><div> </div></body></html>