[NFB-NM] FW: BARD and Amazon Alexa

Sat Nov 9 15:48:21 UTC 2024

Best wishes,

Tonia Trapp, secretary
National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico

From: Burma, Kelly, CFB <Kelly.Burma at cfb.nm.gov> 
Sent: Friday, November 8, 2024 4:02 PM
To: nfbnewmexicosecretary at gmail.com
Subject: BARD and Amazon Alexa

Dear tonia,

It is my pleasure to pass along this information from Jennifer McGill
<mailto:Jennifer.McGill at dca.nm.gov> , The Outreach Coordinator at the New
Mexico State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (NMLBPD), New Mexico's
cooperating library with the National Library Service for the Blind and
Print Disabled (NLS). Please send this to the state-wide list. 

The National Library Service has partnered with Amazon to provide BARD using
their Amazon Alexa enabled smart speakers. It does require you have their
device and the NLS is not currently providing them. However, they are
relatively inexpensive. As well, there is another option in which you can
run the Alexa skill app off your iPhone or Android device.

There are a limited number of spots available however, I thought I would
share the information with you should you have any interest in trying it
out. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please pass this on to
them. I would very much appreciate it.  And if you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to call or write Jennifer.
<mailto:jennifer.mcgill at ddca.nm.gov>  

           From the NLS :

NLS has opened beta registration for the new My Talking Books skill on
Amazon Alexa-enabled smart speakers. NLS patrons who register for open beta
will be onboarded on a rolling basis starting from September 25, 2024.
Patrons who wish to register for the open beta should fill out the Patron
Registration Form at

<https://www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile/welc
ome-to-my-talking-books/> Welcome to My Talking Books on Smart Speaker -
National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) | Library of
Congress

Patrons who register for open beta will be enrolled on a first-come,
first-served basis until our license limit (5,000 users) is reached. Patrons
who register after the license limit is reached will be placed on a wait
list for future access.

Kindest regards,

Kelly Burma, 
Skills Center Coordinator 

New Mexico Commission for the Blind
2200 Yale Boulevard SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106

E-mail:  <mailto:Kelly.burma at cfb.nm.gov> Kelly.burma at cfb.nm.gov 
Phone: (505) 841-8844 extension 32277 or (505) 383-2277
Toll Free in New Mexico Only: (888) 513-7958 Extension 32277
Fax: (505) 841-8850 or (505) 514-0717        
Agency Cell Phone: (505) 379-2367           <mailto:5053792367 at vtext.com>
5053792367 at vtext.com for e-mail to text
Personal Cell: (505) 615-6414  <mailto:5056156414 at tmomail.net>
5056156414 at tmomail.net for e-mail to text 

Web Site:  <http://www.cfb.state.nm.us/> http://www.cfb.state.nm.us 

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