Summary
Offered through the New Jersey State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Center, the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) program provides audio and Braille materials to people of all ages who have difficulty reading standard print, holding a book, or turning the pages of a book due to blindness, a vision impairment, a physical impairment, a perceptual impairment, or a reading disability.
Getting Started
- Visit a service desk to learn more or schedule an appointment with a PPL librarian to work on and certify an application.
- Learn more about BARD from the Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC)
- Services available for New Jersey residents. Residents of other states or US citizens living abroad should work with their network library.
- Registration for services must be received and approved by the NJ State Library before materials can be accessed.
Specifics
- Titles available via download to designated players (can be provided by the State Library or purchased on your own) or using the BARD mobile app.
- Titles always available; no waiting, no holds.
- No limit on materials.
- Available materials include audio and Braille books (including both commercially-produced audiobooks and additional titles recorded under special permission for this program), audio and Braille magazines, and music books and scores.
- Titles available in many world languages.
Accessibility Features
- Adjust tone and playback speed.
- Player language can be set to English or Spanish.
- High volume players and additional attachments, including breath switches, available from the Talking Book and Braille Center by request.