To download books go to: https://nlsbard.loc.gov/login/NLS
NLS has opened a site where patrons of the Talking Book Library can download selected digital books and electronic Braille files from the overall NLS collection. As of Dec 2012, there are over 28,500 digial titles and over 11,500 Braille titles available for download with new titles being added weekly. Most of the NLS produced magazines in audio or Braille are also available in a downloadable format.
NLS offers two types of accounts on BARD: one for individual patrons and one for institutional accounts. The individual patron account is available to active patrons of the library and has full access to download any book or magazine on the BARD website.
The institutional account is for organizations with an account through the library. Organizational accounts can either have full access to the BARD site or be a demo only account. Demo accounts are only able to download 4 titles from the website so they can teach patrons how to use BARD. Public libraries with CTBL accounts can only get a demo BARD account.
Downloaded books can be played on the new digital player patrons have received. When filling out the application for BARD, select NLS digital talking book machine from the list of available players. The recommended method for listening to BARD books on the NLS player is to download the books to a blank cartridge. These cartridges can be purchased at the stores listed below. Or you can download the PDF listing of places to purchase cartridges.
