BARD Mobile
Free
2.2.2for iPhone, iPad and more
6.9
92 Ratings
Library Of Congress
Developer
14.1 MB
Size
Feb 22, 2024
Update Date
Books
Category
4+
Age Rating
Age Rating
BARD Mobile Screenshots
About BARD Mobile
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/
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/
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What's New in the Latest Version 2.2.2
Last updated on Feb 22, 2024
Old Versions
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
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
Show More
Version History
2.2.2
Feb 22, 2024
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
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
2.2.1
Jun 13, 2023
-in-app password reset functionality
2.2
Apr 11, 2023
-Search Music collections
-Search Spanish and other language books
-Access to expand and read the full book annotation
-Bug fixes
-Search Spanish and other language books
-Access to expand and read the full book annotation
-Bug fixes
2.1.0
Apr 4, 2023
-Search Music collections
-Search Spanish and other language books
-Change your BARD password in the app
-Access to expand and read the full book annotation
-Search Spanish and other language books
-Change your BARD password in the app
-Access to expand and read the full book annotation
2.0.0
Sep 18, 2022
Version 2.0 includes a number of new features, including in-app search capabilities:
-Search inputs are more intuitive. Author search supports First Name, Last Name format; Last Name, First Name; and Last Name only. Quotation marks are no longer required. For example, input “Mary Clark” (without quotations) to find all the Mary Higgins Clark titles.
-Keyword search supports searching all indexed metadata and can help users looking for multiple criteria. For example, to find a Terri Pratchett book narrated by Nick DePinto, a user can simply input “dePinto Terri“ (without quotations).
-After a user inputs a search, they can amend the search type, the inputted term itself, or the format (audio or braille), and sort results alphabetically by author, title, or latest publication date.
-In-app search now includes NLS Music collection holdings, allowing users to access the variety of musical appreciation and biography books, scores, and music instructional titles.
-Users can switch between audio and braille searches. For example, input “learn guitar” (without quotation marks) with the search defaults to find audio instructional titles, then select the braille format and the search button again to find braille titles. Version 2.0 also includes enhancements to searching and sorting Bookshelf and Get Books listings.
Bug fixes include:
-Rewind controls skipping further than intended
-Sideloading books
-Downloading and reading non-ASCII foreign language book titles
-Search inputs are more intuitive. Author search supports First Name, Last Name format; Last Name, First Name; and Last Name only. Quotation marks are no longer required. For example, input “Mary Clark” (without quotations) to find all the Mary Higgins Clark titles.
-Keyword search supports searching all indexed metadata and can help users looking for multiple criteria. For example, to find a Terri Pratchett book narrated by Nick DePinto, a user can simply input “dePinto Terri“ (without quotations).
-After a user inputs a search, they can amend the search type, the inputted term itself, or the format (audio or braille), and sort results alphabetically by author, title, or latest publication date.
-In-app search now includes NLS Music collection holdings, allowing users to access the variety of musical appreciation and biography books, scores, and music instructional titles.
-Users can switch between audio and braille searches. For example, input “learn guitar” (without quotation marks) with the search defaults to find audio instructional titles, then select the braille format and the search button again to find braille titles. Version 2.0 also includes enhancements to searching and sorting Bookshelf and Get Books listings.
Bug fixes include:
-Rewind controls skipping further than intended
-Sideloading books
-Downloading and reading non-ASCII foreign language book titles
1.4.4
Jun 11, 2022
-bug fixes with search
1.4.3
Apr 15, 2022
- Supports IOS15 and iPadOS15
- Ability to sort and search Wish list and Previous downloads.
- Additional ways to subscribe to content.
- Ability to pinch and enlarge book Navigation panel text.
- Improvements with error messaging.
- Various bug fixes.
1.4.2
Feb 24, 2021
-bug fix that maintains access to the app's Get Books Bard Website pages without clicking past the login page.
1.4.1
Jan 23, 2021
-Bug fixes and additional Bluetooth support.
1.4
Jan 15, 2021
- Automatic Start Playback: when this new Audio Settings is enabled, it allows you to launch playback of titles w/out having to manually select the play button! Titles will immediately play when selected from your Bookshelf, Recently Read, or Get Books. You will no longer need to manually select the Play button after selecting the title.
- Automatic 5 Second Rewind: when this new Audio Setting is enabled, BARD Mobile will rewind content to five seconds before restarting playing titles from your Bookshelf or Recently Read lists. Content paused and restarted from your Now Reading screen, however, will resume where you left off and it will not automatically rewind.
- Bug fixes
- Automatic 5 Second Rewind: when this new Audio Setting is enabled, BARD Mobile will rewind content to five seconds before restarting playing titles from your Bookshelf or Recently Read lists. Content paused and restarted from your Now Reading screen, however, will resume where you left off and it will not automatically rewind.
- Bug fixes
1.3.3
Dec 1, 2020
bug fix addressing issues with recently available foreign language title books
1.3.2
Jun 5, 2020
Assorted Bug Fixes
1.3.1
Mar 25, 2020
Fixed issue with the music collection search box selection when VoiceOver is enabled.
1.3
Feb 13, 2020
Version 1.3 includes a number of new features, including:
- Simultaneous downloads: You can now download up to three items simultaneously.
- Braille autoscroll: When reading braille books, you can have your braille display scroll automatically. You have full control over the speed.
- More actions button: The details screen for each book now includes an “ellipsis” button (labeled “More actions”) that offers a number of other things you can do with that book, including seeing a list of other books in the same series, by the same author(s), or in the same subject area(s).
- Enhanced actions list on VoiceOver rotor: You can also get to those very same additional actions using the “Actions” item on the rotor while in a book list.
- Quick switch between titles: No need to go back to the bookshelf to change books! Just swipe left with one finger (or three, if VoiceOver is on) while on the Now Reading screen to see a list of other books on your device that you’ve already opened. They’re in the order of most recently read. There’s also a “Recently read” button in the upper left if you don’t want to use the gesture.
- Format hiding: Don’t ever read braille? Tell BARD Mobile not to show you any braille items (unless they’re on your wish list or previous downloads). Don’t ever read audio? It works that way, too. Find this by going to the Settings tab, selecting User Account Settings, and then selecting Show Me.
- Book and magazine subscription support: You can now subscribe to magazines via the app just like you can on the BARD website. Book series, too! New magazine issues or books in subscribed series are automatically added to your Wish list.
- AirPlay support: There’s now an AirPlay button right on the Now Reading screen. From there you can send your audio to any available AirPlay or connected Bluetooth device.
- Braille/audio indicator: For lists with mixed formats (Wish List, Previous Downloads) there's a format indicator icon distinguishing format type so you know if it's audio and/or braille
- Save “jump by” setting with each book: The app will now remember how you had your “jump by” button set when you close a book and will restore that setting the next time you open it.
The release also includes internal updates and significant download reliability improvements.
We’ve updated the user guide. It will also be found here: https://nlsbard.loc.gov/apidocs/BARDMobile.userguide.iOS.1.3.html
- Simultaneous downloads: You can now download up to three items simultaneously.
- Braille autoscroll: When reading braille books, you can have your braille display scroll automatically. You have full control over the speed.
- More actions button: The details screen for each book now includes an “ellipsis” button (labeled “More actions”) that offers a number of other things you can do with that book, including seeing a list of other books in the same series, by the same author(s), or in the same subject area(s).
- Enhanced actions list on VoiceOver rotor: You can also get to those very same additional actions using the “Actions” item on the rotor while in a book list.
- Quick switch between titles: No need to go back to the bookshelf to change books! Just swipe left with one finger (or three, if VoiceOver is on) while on the Now Reading screen to see a list of other books on your device that you’ve already opened. They’re in the order of most recently read. There’s also a “Recently read” button in the upper left if you don’t want to use the gesture.
- Format hiding: Don’t ever read braille? Tell BARD Mobile not to show you any braille items (unless they’re on your wish list or previous downloads). Don’t ever read audio? It works that way, too. Find this by going to the Settings tab, selecting User Account Settings, and then selecting Show Me.
- Book and magazine subscription support: You can now subscribe to magazines via the app just like you can on the BARD website. Book series, too! New magazine issues or books in subscribed series are automatically added to your Wish list.
- AirPlay support: There’s now an AirPlay button right on the Now Reading screen. From there you can send your audio to any available AirPlay or connected Bluetooth device.
- Braille/audio indicator: For lists with mixed formats (Wish List, Previous Downloads) there's a format indicator icon distinguishing format type so you know if it's audio and/or braille
- Save “jump by” setting with each book: The app will now remember how you had your “jump by” button set when you close a book and will restore that setting the next time you open it.
The release also includes internal updates and significant download reliability improvements.
We’ve updated the user guide. It will also be found here: https://nlsbard.loc.gov/apidocs/BARDMobile.userguide.iOS.1.3.html
1.2.2
Jun 7, 2019
This version (1.2.2) fixes a bug related to audio decoding.
Version 1.2 of BARD Mobile for iOS adds the following features:
- Addition of “My previous downloads” and “Most popular books” to the top-level Get Books menu
- Browse magazines by title
- Braille reflow (lines of braille break to match your display length)
- Beep-free mode
- VoiceOver actions added to bookshelf items
- Dynamic sleep timer (matches the jump-by level)
- Autolayout of screens (for compatibility with a wider variety of iOS devices)
- Adheres to system-wide type size setting (Dynamic Type)
- Total reading time or number of braille volumes added to summary listings
- Automatically reloads next 50 items as you scroll (no more tapping “Load more”)
- Error message refinements
- Double-tap gesture to reset speed/tone
...along with bug fixes, stability improvements, iOS compatibility, and performance enhancements.
The user guide has been updated to reflect all feature changes.
Version 1.2 of BARD Mobile for iOS adds the following features:
- Addition of “My previous downloads” and “Most popular books” to the top-level Get Books menu
- Browse magazines by title
- Braille reflow (lines of braille break to match your display length)
- Beep-free mode
- VoiceOver actions added to bookshelf items
- Dynamic sleep timer (matches the jump-by level)
- Autolayout of screens (for compatibility with a wider variety of iOS devices)
- Adheres to system-wide type size setting (Dynamic Type)
- Total reading time or number of braille volumes added to summary listings
- Automatically reloads next 50 items as you scroll (no more tapping “Load more”)
- Error message refinements
- Double-tap gesture to reset speed/tone
...along with bug fixes, stability improvements, iOS compatibility, and performance enhancements.
The user guide has been updated to reflect all feature changes.
1.2.1
Aug 4, 2018
Fixes a problem with braille reflow at some page boundaries and a bug that would cause the app to freeze when loading the bookshelf.
v1.2:
- Adds “My previous downloads” and “Most popular books” to Get Books
- Browse magazines by title
- Braille reflow (lines of braille break to match your display length)
- Beep-free mode
- VoiceOver actions added to bookshelf items
- Dynamic sleep timer (matches the jump-by level)
- Adheres to system-wide type size setting (Dynamic Type)
- Total reading time or number of braille volumes added to summary listings
- Automatically reloads next 50 items as you scroll (no more tapping “Load more”)
- Error message refinements
- Double-tap gesture to reset speed/tone
...along with bug fixes, stability improvements, and performance enhancements.
v1.2:
- Adds “My previous downloads” and “Most popular books” to Get Books
- Browse magazines by title
- Braille reflow (lines of braille break to match your display length)
- Beep-free mode
- VoiceOver actions added to bookshelf items
- Dynamic sleep timer (matches the jump-by level)
- Adheres to system-wide type size setting (Dynamic Type)
- Total reading time or number of braille volumes added to summary listings
- Automatically reloads next 50 items as you scroll (no more tapping “Load more”)
- Error message refinements
- Double-tap gesture to reset speed/tone
...along with bug fixes, stability improvements, and performance enhancements.
1.2
Jun 13, 2018
- Adds “My previous downloads” and “Most popular books” to Get Books
- Browse magazines by title
- Braille autoreflow (lines of braille break to match your display length)
- Beep-free mode
- VoiceOver actions added to bookshelf items
- Dynamic sleep timer (matches the jump-by level)
- Adheres to system-wide type size setting (Dynamic Type)
- Total reading time or number of braille volumes added to summary listings
- Automatically reloads next 50 items as you scroll (no more tapping “Load more”)
- Error message refinements
- Double-tap gesture to reset speed/tone
...along with bug fixes, stability improvements, and performance enhancements.
- Browse magazines by title
- Braille autoreflow (lines of braille break to match your display length)
- Beep-free mode
- VoiceOver actions added to bookshelf items
- Dynamic sleep timer (matches the jump-by level)
- Adheres to system-wide type size setting (Dynamic Type)
- Total reading time or number of braille volumes added to summary listings
- Automatically reloads next 50 items as you scroll (no more tapping “Load more”)
- Error message refinements
- Double-tap gesture to reset speed/tone
...along with bug fixes, stability improvements, and performance enhancements.
1.1.1
Jun 3, 2016
Bug fixes and performance improvements.
1.1
Oct 17, 2015
- Built-in sleep timer
- New setting keeps device from sleeping while download is in progress
- Add to wish list directly from details screen
- Enhanced braille search function
- Improved VoiceOver hints and labels
- New braille shortcut key
- Improved Magic Tap response
- Works with iOS 9
- New setting keeps device from sleeping while download is in progress
- Add to wish list directly from details screen
- Enhanced braille search function
- Improved VoiceOver hints and labels
- New braille shortcut key
- Improved Magic Tap response
- Works with iOS 9
1.0
Sep 19, 2013
BARD Mobile FAQ
BARD Mobile is available in regions other than the following restricted countries:
France
BARD Mobile supports English, Spanish
Click here to learn how to download BARD Mobile in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of BARD Mobile.
iPhone
Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 14.0 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
