Bard

Subject: Article from Matilda Ziegler Feature Writer 2013 09 30

Feature Writer Alena Roberts - The BARD App Is Finally Here I learned in March of this year that the National Library Services was designing an app for iOS devices. First we were told that it would be ready by July, but sadly that was not the case. The app didn't get released until Sept. 20th, but now that it's here, I am ecstatic because I can now finally get access to all of my books on my iPhone. If you use an iOS device, this needs to be an app that you download. If you've resisted using the BARD service, now is the time to start. The app has a very simple interface, and it is easy to use. When you first open the app, you will need to agree to the terms of service. You then will need to login using the same credentials that you do on the BARD website. If you haven't signed up for BARD, here is the link:https://nlsbard.loc.gov/NLS/ApplicationInstructions.htmlOnce you've logged in, you will never need to log in again. Next you will need to find books to download onto your device. There are multiple ways to do this. You can either choose books from your wish list, look at the most recently added audio and braille books, or you can browse the BARD website. If you choose the browse option, you will need to add the book or magazine that you want to your wish list, you can then choose your wish list in the Get Books section of the app to download the title. Once you've downloaded some titles, you then can access them by selecting the Bookshelf option. Titles are put into different categories. The categories are; audio books, audio magazines, braille books, and braille magazines. Under these categories is where you will find your downloaded titles. To start listening to an audio title, select it and then hit play. You can adjust the speed and skip ahead or backwards by time or by chapter/page. If you've selected a braille title, first make sure that your braille display is connected, then turn contracted braille off by doing a G plus the space bar. I believe this is necessary because the books are already in contracted or uncontracted braille. If you don't turn off contracted braille you will get gibberish. So that's it. Find titles you want to listen to or read on a braille display and then start listening or reading. It's that easy. Here is a link to the app on iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bard-mobile/id705229586? mt=8.