BARD is an online catalog of downloadable books and magazines available from the National Library Service.

• Application procedures for the BARD website:

1. Complete and submit the application at the BARD website.
An email notice will be sent confirming your application was received.
2. Library personnel will review your application.
3. An email notice will be sent containing your approval or rejection status.
4. If approved, a Welcome email will be sent containing your login ID, which is your email address, and a temporary password.
5. Login to the BARD website and change your temporary password to a password of your choice according to the instructions.
6. Search the website for books you want to read and download them to a thumb drive or cartridge to play on your digital player.

• Steps to Downloading NLS Digital Books

1. Put a thumb drive into the computer or attach a digital cartridge using a USB cable. The computer will indicate that a device has been connected, recognized as a drive, and assigned it a letter, such as Drive F.
2. Go to Internet website, Braille and Audio Reading Download, otherwise known as BARD, the NLS catalog for download via the Internet, and login with your email address and password. Search for a book from the options listed and select the title. Locate and select the needed DB title link. Please note that download speed using the Internet may be longer at peak times in local libraries compared with 22-35 seconds per title for a previously downloaded DB.
3. When downloading DBs the computer will prompt to either “open” or “save” the file. The terms used may differ based on the web browser, but in Internet Explorer “save” should be selected. When the prompt indicates where the file is being saved, note the location. The computer’s desktop is the original default location for Internet Explorer, but it saves the file to the last location used. Creating a DB folder on the desktop is recommended. Once the location is noted, select “save” and press “enter” to begin the download.
4. Return to the desktop or saved location. Select the located downloaded DB, select the NLS book .zip file, then right click or press Shift F10 on the zip file. From the menu choose “extract all.” An unzip wizard will open. Follow the directions, but specify the destination for the unzipped files as the drive assigned by the computer to the thumb drive or cartridge, such as Drive F. Please note that unzip utilities such as ZipGenius are available as freeware on the Internet.
5. Remove the thumb drive and place it in the side slot on your digital player to listen to the book. If using a cartridge, remove the cartridge and put it in the front of your digital player to listen to the book. Enjoy.