Announcements and Notices

BARD 2.0 Office Hours: Sept 16 thru Nov 25

The Patron Engagement Section is offering a new program to assist patrons using the new BARD 2.0 website. BARD 2.0 Office Hours will be held each Tuesday night from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., starting September 16, 2025, and ending November 25, 2025. Each session will be informal in structure, specifically designed to assist patrons as they learn and use the new BARD website.
These meetings are not hosted by the Florida Braille and Talking Book Library, however, they are hosted by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress, for all users.

Sessions will not begin with a presentation and will not be recorded. Patron questions will be addressed on a first come, first served basis. Staff will share their screen reader sound for the patrons as they answer patron questions and demonstrate features.

This program is a limited series as we roll out new products. The Zoom link for this program will remain the same. The session can be joined by going to
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1614022132?pwd=dXpMb93HfrUi17rM3a8UNd3d8OSwtY.1  Remember that this meeting will not be recorded. If you wish to speak, you may request to do so by raising your hand. On a PC, press Alt Y to toggle raising and lowering your hand; on a Mac, press Option Y; and if dialing in via telephone, press Star 9. To mute or unmute yourself on a PC, press Alt A; on a Mac, press Command-Shift A; and on a telephone, press Star 6. If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov ID will not work with standard Zoom.us.

The complete Zoom information is located below.

Join Zoom Meeting
One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1614022132# or +16468287666,,1614022132#
Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1614022132?pwd=dXpMb93HfrUi17rM3a8UNd3d8OSwtY.1
Meeting ID: 161 402 2132
Passcode: 342222
Join by Telephone
Dial:
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
Meeting ID: 161 402 2132
International numbers

Join from an H.323/SIP room system

H.323: 161.199.138.10 (US West)
            161.199.136.10 (US East)
Meeting ID: 161 402 2132
Passcode: 342222

SIP: 1614022132@sip.zoomgov.com
Passcode: 342222

Webinar featuring singer and NLS patron Holly Connor October 21

Join us for our next NLS Music Notes webinar on Tuesday, October 21, at 7:30 p.m. eastern time via Zoom.

For this NLS Music Notes webinar, we will be joined by singer, pianist and NLS Music Section patron Holly Connor. We will discuss her journey as an undergraduate student, her use of braille music and her artistry as a performer of opera, art songs and musical theater.

Holly Connor is a junior at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. While at Webster, she has performed in lead roles of productions of “Dido and Aeneas,” “Suor Angelica,” “Die Fledermaus” and “Le Nozze di Figaro.” She has also performed in the chorus in “The Mikado,” “Turandot,” “Les Contes d’Hoffmann,” “Madama Butterfly” and “Nabucco,” and has been a featured soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Connor sings in the Bach Society of Saint Louis Chorus, Webster University Chamber Choir and Jazz Singers, studies classical and jazz piano and is a member of the Student National Association of Teachers of Singers. She was a first-place winner in the Webster University Orchestra Aria Competition, winner of an alumni scholarship from Opera Theater of Saint Louis’ Artists-in-Training program and a Young Artist in the Crescendo program at Union Avenue Opera the past two years. You can read more about Holly Connor at www.hollyconnor.com.

These meetings are not hosted by the Florida Braille and Talking Book Library, however, they are hosted by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress, for all users.

This NLS Music Notes webinar can be joined by going to https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1613081087?pwd=LQta4d9Q9uar3fanKw1na1K7oNsFf4.1.
Remember that the webinar is recorded. Do not speak if you do not wish to be on the recording. If you wish to speak, you may request to do so by raising your hand. On a PC, press Alt Y to toggle raising and lowering your hand; on a Mac, press Option Y; and if dialing in via telephone, press Star 9. To mute or unmute yourself on a PC, press Alt A; on a Mac, press Command-Shift A; and on a telephone, press Star 6. If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov ID will not work with standard Zoom.us.

The complete link and dial-in information are below.

          Link to Zoom meeting on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. eastern time:
          Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1613081087?pwd=LQta4d9Q9uar3fanKw1na1K7oNsFf4.1
          Meeting ID:   161 308 1087
          Passcode:     772562
          Join by Telephone
          For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.
          Dial:   +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
          +1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
          +1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
          +1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
          +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
          +1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)

5 each month to keep

You may request up to 5 titles per month with the updated Braille on Demand program from NLS, these are books you can keep!
The form to request a braille-on-demand book can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLSbrailleondemand.
Patrons may complete the form themselves or contact their network library for assistance. They may also contact NLS Reference at nlsref@loc.gov for assistance in completing the form.

Longer Book Descriptions

NLS is now using publisher-provided book descriptions for new titles added to the collection in Braille Book Review, Talking Book Topics, and on BARD and in the catalog.
These publisher descriptions are longer and present richer, more detailed book descriptions to NLS patrons that is routinely used by other libraries and book providers. These descriptions provide more insight into book topics and will make it easier for patrons to identify and search titles of interest.

New Improved NLS Catalog

Finding your next great read is easier than ever with the new NLS Catalog search features! NLS Catalog boasts a new, clean design and advanced search functionality, direct links to BARD from catalog listings for quick downloads, and for the first time, patrons can directly request books to add to our collection! Patrons will also find links to contact a librarian and other resources to get the most out of NLS. Start exploring the catalog here: https://nlscatalog.loc.gov.

Get NLS News in your Inbox!

Want to get the latest news and updates from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled? NLS’s Patron Engagement Section now hosts an announce-only listserv that will include announcements about NLS programs, services, and products that might be of interest to patrons. New announcements will be posted to the list few times a week. If you are interested in signing up for this listserv, please send your name and email address to the Patron Engagement Section at NLSPES@loc.gov. You will be able to unsubscribe yourself from the list at any time. So email NLSPES@loc.gov now!

Getting Help Downloading

Technology is wonderful when it works. However, when something goes wrong, sometimes it can seem as though it takes forever to get the right help.

Email NLSDownload@loc.gov for immediate help straight from the experts. Be sure to include the email address you use for BARD/BARD Express and specific details about what device you are using, and what error messages you are getting. You cannot give too much information!