Announcements and Notices
Last updated: 1/30/2026.
NLS Music Notes meeting with Karen Gearreald via Zoom, February 3, 2026
The next NLS Music Notes Zoom meeting for patrons and network staff will take place Tuesday, February 3, at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Please join us!
We’re very excited to speak with our guest Karen Gearreald, the most recent National Braille Association Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, who is also a philanthropist, educator, lawyer, actress, international speaker, administrator, pianist, singer and braille music transcription instructor and transcriber. We’ll have a live conversation, which will be followed by a Q&A session.
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.
Remember that the meeting 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 February 3, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time:
Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1616148038?pwd=3KXoSaRnmyan4kzHuXoXvSdbAs5tfP.1
Meeting ID: 161 614 8038
Passcode: 364190
Join by Telephone
For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.
Dial: +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
+1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
+1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
+1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)
Meeting ID: 161 614 8038
One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1616148038# or +16468287666,,1616148038#
February’s Many Faces of BARD Program
The topic for the Thursday, February 12, 2026, Many Faces of BARD program will be Advanced Searching on the DA2. After a presentation and demonstration, we will take your questions about all things BARD for the remainder of the hour.
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.
The program will begin at 7 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. NLS will record this program. The session can be joined by going to:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1606945179?pwd=EH2KEjihYhALNg5ttf816aKuPGgndc.1
Remember that the meeting 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 Zoom invitation is below. To review past programming, please go to www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/many-faces-of-bard .
Join Zoom Meeting
One tap mobile US: US: +16692545252,,1606945179# or +16469641167,,1606945179#
Meeting URL https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1606945179?pwd=EH2KEjihYhALNg5ttf816aKuPGgndc.1
Meeting ID: 160 694 5179
Passcode: 069088
Join by Telephone
Dial:
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
Meeting ID: 160 694 5179
International numbers
Join from an H.323/SIP room system
H.323: 166.108.98.42 (US West)
166.108.66.42 (US East)
Meeting ID: 160 694 5179
Passcode: 069088
SIP: 1606945179@sip.zoomgov.com
Passcode: 069088
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!
