BARD Mobile

Library Of Congress

About this app

CARRY A LIBRARY IN YOUR POCKET
Access tens of thousands of books—from current best sellers to much-loved classics, popular magazines, and music instruction and scores—in audio and electronic braille, with new selections added daily.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
BARD Mobile is a service of NLS. NLS provides free audio and braille reading materials to residents of the US and American citizens living abroad who cannot read regular print. If you are blind or have temporary or permanent low vision or a physical or reading disability that prevents you from holding or reading the printed page, you may be eligible for this program. For more information, visit https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/eligibility-for-nls-services.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?
This app allows access for eligible users who have enrolled in the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) at the Library of Congress. To enroll, call 1-888-NLS-READ (1-888-657-7323) and follow the prompts to find your state. Or to learn more at https://www.loc.gov/thatallmayread.

If you are already an NLS patron, contact your cooperating NLS library to request a BARD account. You can find your library by visiting https://www.loc.gov/nls/find-a-local-library/.

SUPPORT
For support and help with BARD account issues, or to report bugs, email [e-mail]. For FAQ, visit https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/bard-access/nls-bard-frequently-asked-questions/. For the User Guides: https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/bard-access/bard-mobile-android/

Ratings and reviews

It gives the ability to add books to self-named folders, but once added, these folders can never be accessed for use. I don't even know which books are in the folders and they seem to be gone from the "Book Shelf" entirely. Even the tech support people are dumbfounded. Fantastic service, otherwise. I hope they will add the ability to request specific books or translations that are not in the library yet.

While I love using the app to listen to books, trying yo find books has become very fustrating. Trying to scroll, if you are just a little off from scroll straight up and down, it flips from get books to book shelf or setting amd then you have to start the search over again. It is wayyyy to sensitive. Also, it would be helpful to search by genre and to see publication years. Many times I have to look books up on line to find the order. I just think it can be a little more user friendly.

in desperate need of an update. Player doesn't have enough options for highlighting, navigating, searching, also does not include chapter lengths. The player will also automatically and spontaneously begin playing even though it is closed and shut down. the player automatically and spontaneously began playing three different times in the middle of the night. just last night alone. I'm appreciative of the app and the service it provides, but it desperately needs an update. Woefully old school.

What’s new

BARD Mobile now supports Android 15 and integrates with the new BARD login and BARD 2.0 systems for smoother performance.
Updates include finer playback speed control, clearer speed labels, easier folder management, improved downloads for TalkBack users, better search clearing, and enhanced reporting.
Accessibility and crash bugs have been fixed, including TalkBack focus, folder renaming order, and stability issues.