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NLS Download Instructions
You may choose to download your own books, or you may order digital books through your Talking Book Library (these will have already been downloaded onto cartridges for you). If you decide to download books yourself, you will be using NLS BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)
Note: The BARD system login and password resulting from the process below is separate from the Montana WebOPAC login and password you received when you signed up for WebOpac. WebOpac offers patrons an easy search tool to access BARD. Once a downloadable digital book has been chosen, WebOpac now connects a patron directly to the BARD login page. After logging into BARD, the chosen book will begin downloading immediately from BARD. No extra searching necessary! WebOpac is still available for patrons who wish to order books to be mailed to them from our Helena, Montana, in-house collection.
If you choose to download your own books you will need to follow these steps:
1. You will need to have the following:
- High-speed Internet service such as DSL or cable
- Access to a computer connected to the Internet for downloading
- Sufficient computer hard disk space to temporarily store, then unzip compressed book or magazine files and to archive audio books you wish to keep
- An active email address
- A USB flash memory drive or an NLS book cartridge and USB cable (both available from commercial sources noted on this page)
2. Go to the BARD website and fill out the online application. The site is: https://nlsbard.loc.gov/mt1a. Select the BARD application instructions link on that page.
3. You will receive an email when the application is received and approved with a username, password and login instructions. You may then enter the BARD site and download materials. An email will be sent if your application is rejected.
4. Receiving Download help: The Frequently Asked Questions guide on the NLS BARD website provides helpful information on common problems. If you are subscribed to it, a posting to the BARD-Support list will elicit responses from fellow down-loaders. Limited assistance with BARD downloading is available from the NLS Download email address: NLSDownload@loc.gov. Staff at your local talking book library are available to answer questions about the NLS Digital player and basic questions about BARD.
Flash Drive Information for BARD Downloads ONLY.
Blank NLS digital cartridge with either 1G or 2G memory
- 1G; holds approximately 92 hours of NLS books
- Requires a cable to connect to your computer
- Advantages: Designed for NLS player; fits in cartridge slot; easier to insert/remove from machine
- Sources are as follows:
Adaptive Technology (Perkins Products Store)*** Order information: http://www.perkinsproducts.org and search for "NLS" or "cartridge" - or call: (978) 462-3817. Email is: adaptivetech@perkins.org and the fax number is (978) 462-3928. Adaptive Technology is an online and mail order service run by the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts.
American Printing House for the Blind (APH)***. Order Information: http://shop.aph.org or call 1-800-223-1839. Customer service questions may be sent by E-mail to cs@aph.org.
Flash drive
- Also called jump drive, thumb drive
- Fits in an adaptive USBA device which connects to the USB port on the side of the NLS machine (contact us to order a USBA device for your NLS digital machine). Note: DO NOT place a flash drive in the cartridge slot of the NLS digital machine. Some brands seem to work better than others; look for those without built-in U3 software.
- Brands some patrons and staff have found to work include:
- Kingston
- Verbatim
- Lexar
- Sony
- PNY
- Dane Elec
- Look for 1G to 8G of memory; those with more than 8 G of memory may not work
- Advantage: Available locally at most discount, electronic, or department stores or online; Costs vary (check with your local or online resource for current pricing); available in larger sizes that hold more books
- The flash drive must contain only BARD books. The player will not read a drive with other file formats on it.
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that in providing this information to our patrons we are not endorsing or recommending these products or suppliers. We will provide similar information on other devices or suppliers as we become aware of them. (rev. 9/2010)