[NFB-Seniors] BARD - different types, and for different devices

Tue Nov 24 16:57:04 UTC 2020

Robert, this is spectacular. Thank you. Veronica, SAGE, New Mexico.

> On Nov 24, 2020, at 7:18 AM, Robert Leslie Newman via NFB-Seniors <nfb-seniors at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi You All
> 
> RE: There are many Roads to BARD; for computers, mobile devices, and support
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I recently found this information in an email list. If you are subscribed to
> NLS BARD from the Library of Congress, there are several ways to access
> BARD, and some of you know this, but I bet a lot of you do not! This post
> will help you understand what they are, and how they work. It is always
> smart to know your options!
> 
> 
> 
> *#1 BARD from your computer:
> 
> Once you have your password, you can download books with a computer. From
> any web browser, log in to https://nlsbard.loc.gov.
> 
> If you have a Windows-based computer, the books you have downloaded will go
> to your Downloads folder by default. Extract the files to a folder, and then
> copy that folder to a blank cartridge or USB flash drive. When this
> cartridge or USB drive is connected to your Digital Talking Book Machine,
> the machine will recognize each folder as a separate book and will play your
> books accordingly.
> 
> You can download books to a MAC as well. Downloaded books will go to your
> Downloads folder by default. If you use Safari's default settings, the books
> are automatically extracted to folders. Copy each folder to a cartridge or
> USB flash drive.
> 
> All cartridges and most flash drives are formatted properly to accept your
> downloaded BARD books.
> 
> BARD EXPRESS
> 
> If you want to download books and magazines from BARD with a computer but
> find the whole process of downloading, unzipping, and transferring materials
> a bit overwhelming, BARD Express is a perfect alternative. You can download
> BARD Express to your Windows computer from the BARD website. Installation is
> quick and easy, and Help is readily available at any time from within BARD
> Express.
> 
> Once BARD Express is installed, you need to log in only once. After learning
> just a few keyboard commands - Control-S for Search, Control-B for
> Bookshelf, Control-M for Main Menu, and so on - you can download books to
> play on your Digital Talking Book Machine or a commercial player such as the
> Victor Reader Stream. Once you're logged in, press the Tab key to move
> through the choices you would see as headings on the BARD website, such as
> Recently Added Books and Magazines, Most Popular Books, and Wish List. The
> Tab, Arrow keys, and Spacebar are all you need to explore this user-friendly
> program. With a USB flash drive, cartridge, or SD card attached to your
> computer, BARD Express does all the downloading, unzipping, and transferring
> for you. Press F1 for help at any time, or check out the Help menu for more
> options.
> 
> 
> 
> *#2 BARD Mobile - iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire
> 
> If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can probably use it to play your
> BARD books and magazines. To get the application, search for "bard mobile"
> in your device's app store. For iOS products running iOS 11 or later, look
> for NLS BARD in the App Store. For Android products running version 6 or
> later, go to the Google Play Store. And for Fire tablets running 8th
> generation or later, download BARD Mobile from Amazon.
> 
> While each version is slightly different, the basic components of BARD
> Mobile are the same. You can browse BARD, add books to your Wish List,
> download books, and play them from your Bookshelf. You can store as many
> books in your BARD Mobile Bookshelf as your device's memory or storage card
> allows. BARD Mobile will always keep your place in every book you are
> reading. You can add bookmarks to return to favorite locations in a book or
> magazine and you can keep your books for as long as you like.
> 
> If you have an iOS device and a compatible braille display, you can download
> braille books from BARD to that device and then pair it with a braille
> display for reading. 
> 
> 
> 
> *Summary: Many Roads, One Account
> 
> If you have a BARD account, you can access that account in any or all of the
> ways described. You might download some books with BARD Express for playing
> on your Digital Talking Book Machine and other books to your smartphone for
> listening on the go.
> 
> Whether you use a web browser, BARD Express, or BARD Mobile, you have just
> one set of login credentials: your email address and password.
> 
> 
> 
> *When You need Help
> 
> If you need help with BARD, please contact us at NLSDownload at loc.gov
> 
> Be sure to tell us which BARD service you are using and on which device. The
> more information we have, the more efficiently we can get you back to
> reading.
> 
> However you access BARD, we wish you happy downloading and reading!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Respectfully yours,
> 
> Robert Leslie Newman
> 
> NFB seniors division, Second Vice President
> 
> NFB of Nebraska Senior Division. President
> 
> NFB of Nebraska Omaha Chapter, Secretary
> 
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