New App for Braille & Talking Book Library

TO: Minnesota Library Staff
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: February 27, 2014
SUBJECT: MN BARD

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..

New Download Service for Qualified Users

The Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library, which provides direct library service to individuals who cannot read standard print materials, has a new service available for  library patrons. Through MN BARD (Minnesota Braille and Audio Reading Download) or an iOS app, BARD Mobile (download BARD Mobile from iTunes), it offers patrons access to 52,000 downloadable audio and braille books and magazines.

To support patrons who may be eligible to use MN BARD, public libraries can apply for demonstration-only accounts. Demonstration accounts offer a test drive of the service through access to sample titles. Full access to the growing collection is limited to qualified and registered users. MN BARD is maintained by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a division of the Library of Congress, which accepts applications for the service. Fill out an application.

For more information about the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library or MN BARD, please contact Catherine Durivage at 507-384-6860 or Catherine.durivage@state.mn.us.

ENABLE: Seeking Library Participation!

Project ENABLE is a collaborative project between Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, Center for Digital Literacy, and Burton Blatt Institute. ENABLE strives to provide high quality, comprehensive, train-the-trainer continuing education programs for school librarians with a special focus on delivering effective library and information services to PreK-12 students with disabilities.

If this sounds like a program you would be interested in being a part of, they are currently recruiting 3-person teams consisting of a librarian, general educator and special educator as well as 15 school library faculties in higher education. Participants will be asked to attend a four and a half day workshop on the Syracuse University campus in either June or August 2013. For more information contact cdl@syr.edu.