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/

The newest version of BARD Mobile brings major improvements to performance, accessibility, and ease of use.


1. BARD Login Integration
• Updated to the latest BARD Login system
• A smoother, more accessible login experience
• Improved password reset, EULA review, and Terms of Use acceptance

2. BARD 2.0 Integration
• Updated to work seamlessly with the newest BARD system
• Better overall reliability and performance

3. iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Support
• Fully compatible with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18
• Also supports the two previous OS versions

4. Updated User Guides
• English and Spanish guides now reflect current functionality

5. Bug Fixes and Improvements
• Bluetooth headsets (including Shokz) now pause/play reliably
• Playback resumes correctly with a single Bluetooth button tap
• Get Books search results no longer show duplicates
• Music, Magazine, and Series searches now match the BARD 2 website
• VoiceOver improvements, including smoother scrolling in long lists
• Wishlist items remain accessible after deleting a book

6. Technical Enhancements
• Improved monitoring, analytics, and data tracking