The BARD Mobile apps enable NLS patrons to download audio and braille books, magazines, and music scores directly to their iOS, Android and Kindle Fire devices provided they have a BARD account. (The BARD Mobile app is not currently available for Microsoft Windows devices.)
A refreshable braille display is required to read downloaded braille materials.
The updated BARD Mobile app for iOS, version 1.1, became available at the App Store in October 2015. This updated version of the app includes the following features:
The BARD app for Android devices is available from the Google Play store. It enables NLS patrons to download audiobooks and audio magazines directly to Android devices, provided they:
Instructions for using BARD on an Android device are also available.
An Android BARD app is also available at the Amazon App store for patrons who wish to download their books to a Kindle Fire device. Note that only second-generation Kindle Fire devices are equipped to run the BARD Mobile application. A list of compatible Kindle devices is listed below. Some of these Kindle Fire devices do not include accessibility features.