BARD Mobile 4+

Library Of Congress

    • 3.5 • 92 Ratings
    • Free

Screenshots

Description

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 NLSDownload@loc.gov.
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-ios-version/

What’s New

Version 2.2.2

The app now supports iOS versions 14-17.

Other updates include:
1. Siri Shortcuts (Voice User Interface)
• The app can now be operated by voice commands for playback and navigation, including stopping and resuming a playback, fast-forwarding and rewinding by various intervals, and setting a sleep timer or a bookmark. Add Siri shortcuts in the App Settings.

2. International language search
• Set up to four languages in the app's settings and then filter search results by selecting a preferred language.

3. Accessibility improvements for visually impaired users
• We have boosted color contrast between selected and unselected search categories. This update enhances visibility with Smart Invert, Classic Invert, and Dark Mode on.

4. Multiword search for Search/Search music

5. Bug fixes, including:
• Garbled Credentials Error
• Switch from tone to speed on iOS 17
• “Get books” and “Bookshelf” return only titles matching the type selected in the “Show Me” setting, i.e. Audio Only/ Braille Only/ Both Audio and Braille

Ratings and Reviews

3.5 out of 5
92 Ratings

92 Ratings

Ashleigh Peach ,

Bard. Mobile is not what it used to be for me.

Earlier, I guess around before the update, I could go into my wishlist and view the next book in the series. No, I don’t know where the next book is, even with the “more info, “button. I will have to go online now, to find out where the next book in “the wheel of time, “is located after. “the dragon reborn. “ this is not very good, but the bard app is still working for me. if you would like to know my router, advisors name, it is Megan McCormick. She is in the Jefferson City Missouri branch of wool from the library.

Rick Rascati ,

You might not ever purchase another book!

Keep in mind, a signature from a doctor or healthcare professional is required before you get approval from the NLS. Here in my state the whole process only took about one week. When initially installing the BARD app it would be beneficial to have someone fully cited by your side to help you sign in. Having said that, the app and service exceeded all expectations! I know some users have experienced issues, but that wasn't my experience. Maybe it was a software bug that has since been resolved? nevertheless, as a voiceover user I found the app and controls very easy to navigate. The layout is very straight forward and intuitive. Searching, adding books to your wishlist, downloading, and deleting are simple to perform. This goes for using the audio player as well. In voiceover mode, one flick of the finger gives you all kinds of secondary options like more titles by that particular author or subject. I was very impressed with the amount of titles in the library, with new ones being added regularly. They may not have brand new releases, but they are as recent as six months to a year. I did a comparison to Apple books and found that BARD had about 2/3 of the titles of the former, at least the ones I was looking for. Lastly, the narrators are all top-notch with great voices and diction.

O ILY ,

BARD Mobile

I love the app, but an equalizer feature would be nice, as well as a pitch shifter to raise or lower the pitch as well as more speed options. what does tone mean when listening to a book? is it possible to update the app to be compatible with iOS 17? this app is so fun and neat and amazing and awesome and cool and super and phenomenal. please don’t ever get rid of the book Breakthrough by Joyce Smith because it is an inspiring and true story. thank you so much for finally adding this book because I’ve been waiting to download it for a long time. it would be even more cool if you could set the speed to 0%. Please don’t ever get rid of this app because I love it so much and it’s so nice and handy and convenient. Thanks. I love how the books are read by actual humans who are expressive instead of text-to-speech. Now I can’t even adjust the tone of the book I am listening to like I used to be able to do. thanks so much for updating the app so that I can adjust the tone of the books again like I used to. Please keep the updates coming if possible. is it possible to update the app to be compatible with iOS 17.4.1? There’s nothing wrong with the app, but I was just wondering.

App Privacy

The developer, Library Of Congress, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

  • Location
  • Contact Info
  • User Content
  • Identifiers
  • Usage Data
  • Diagnostics

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

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