Announcements and Notices

Three digital talking book players.

Last updated: 10/08/2026.

Topic for October Patron Corner

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. eastern time, the NLS Patron Engagement Section will host a Patron Corner. The topic for this program is Celebrating 20 Years of BARD: Part Two. The session will feature a panel of NLS colleagues and patrons who were part of the BARD beta test in 2006 and the first users of BARD. We will also offer an opportunity for audience members to express what BARD has meant to them as patrons.

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.

Please join us at: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1659059099?pwd=3SodtbmALTT85MNnxbb0butQjpsspU.1 .

Part One of this program took place on July 13 and featured NLS narrators who have worked in both the analog and digital age. A recording is available online at www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/patron-corner .

When you join this Zoom event, you will be in the waiting room until the program starts. When you enter the room, you will be muted. Please stay on mute unless you are called on. If you want to ask a question, you may raise your hand by pressing Alt Y on your computer or Star 9 on your phone. Once you are called on, press Alt A on your computer or Star 6 on your phone to unmute yourself.

This meeting will be recorded. If you do not wish to be recorded, we ask that you avoid speaking during the call. Also, please note that since we are using Zoom.gov for these sessions, if you choose to dial in, you must use the Zoom.gov phone numbers provided. The regular Zoom phone numbers will not allow access to the Zoom.gov IDs.

Following is additional Zoom access information:

Join Zoom Meeting

One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1659059099# or +16469641167,,1659059099#

Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1659059099?pwd=3SodtbmALTT85MNnxbb0butQjpsspU.1
Meeting ID: 165 905 9099
Passcode: 891804

Join by Telephone

Dial:
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)

Meeting ID: 165 905 9099

NLS Music Notes Webinar featuring tenor vocalist Noah Tobias Carver

The next NLS Music Notes Webinar for patrons and network staff will take place Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. eastern time.

For this NLS Music Notes webinar, we will be joined by NLS Music Section patron Noah Tobias Carver. We’ll discuss his musical journey, how technology and braille music have shaped his experiences and his advocacy for disability rights, among other topics.

Noah Tobias Carver (he/him) is a tenor soloist and disability rights advocate creating impactful musical experiences and working to protect and expand awareness for disabled musicians and the public.

Carver has enjoyed success as a soloist both in recordings and live performance. He has been featured as the tenor soloist in multiple performances with ensembles at the Eastman School of Music and throughout the Rochester area. Winner of the 2026 Eastman Concerto Competition, Carver can also be heard on a recording of Noel da Costa's “Two Songs for Julie Ju (Part 2)” with pianist Dr. Brock Tjosvold on the album “In Plain Sight: The Black Anthology.”

In addition to his work on the concert stage, Carver serves as second vice president and director of operations for Judy's League, a grassroots organization dedicated to raising awareness of disability rights laws on which 80 million Americans rely. He previously served as president of the Empire Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of New York State and as a board member of the National Association of Blind Students.

Carver is currently in his fourth year at the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance.

To access the meeting, go to https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1654494695?pwd=wA3sFcwrxTPjRewlFoYWMccbxbIrmu.1
Meeting ID: 165 449 4695

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.

You can find recordings of previous NLS Music Notes Webinars on the NLS website: https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/music-service-and-materials/music-notes-from-the-music-section/

The complete Zoom information is below.

Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1654494695?pwd=wA3sFcwrxTPjRewlFoYWMccbxbIrmu.1
Meeting ID: 165 449 4695
Passcode: 514045

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)
One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1654494695# or +16469641167,,1654494695#

That All May eRead, October 2026

The topic for the Tuesday, October 27, 2026, That All May eRead online program will be Care and Use of NLS eReaders: Troubleshooting and Other Miscellany. In the remaining time, we will answer any questions you have about the NLS Braille eReaders.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. EST and will last for one hour. The meeting will be recorded. To access the meeting, go to https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1603971745?pwd=AAyByFXmbZ94WHMCroPt1Iw28Se5mU.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.

You can find recordings and transcripts of previous That All May eRead programs on the NLS website at www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/that-all-may-eread.

Join Zoom Meeting

One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1603971745# or +16469641167,,1603971745#
Meeting URL: https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1603971745?pwd=AAyByFXmbZ94WHMCroPt1Iw28Se5mU.1
Meeting ID: 160 397 1745
Passcode: 471174

Join by Telephone
Dial:
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
Meeting ID: 160 397 1745

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!