BARD Mobile iOS (August 2024)

Table of Contents

Section 1: Getting Started with BARD Mobile

Welcome to the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) Mobile app user guide for devices using the iOS and iPadOS operating systems. This app allows BARD users to browse, download, manage, and read braille and audio content using an iPhone or iPad.

1.1: Different Ways to Get the BARD Mobile User Guide

There are several ways to access this user guide:

  1. Within the BARD Mobile app
  2. On the web
  3. From an electronic braille file

1.1.1: Accessing the User Guide within the BARD Mobile App

To read the user guide conveniently located within the BARD Mobile app:

  1. Locate and select the Bookshelf tab.
  2. Find and activate Help.
  3. Activate the BARD Mobile user guide to open it.

1.1.2: Accessing the User Guide on the Web

To access the BARD Mobile User Guide on the web:

  1. From a device with Internet access, open a web browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, etc.
  2. Open the web page www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile/bard-mobile-ios-version.
  3. Consider saving or bookmarking the user guide for future reference.

1.1.3: Accessing the User Guide from an Electronic Braille File

To download the BARD Mobile User Guide in braille:

  1. From a device with Internet access, open a web browser such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, etc.
  2. Open the web page www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile.
  3. Find and activate the link for BARD Mobile User Manual for iOS in ebraille [BRF].

1.2: Making the Most of the BARD Mobile User Guide

Consider the following to help navigate the BARD Mobile User Guide more efficiently:

1.2.1: Settings App vs Settings Tab

Throughout this User Guide, you will be asked to make changes in both the Settings app and the Settings tab. The Settings app is a separate app that is part of the iPhone or iPad. Although the Settings app has many options, this user guide will only discuss options that affect the BARD Mobile App. The Settings tab is part of the BARD Mobile app and has options specific to BARD Mobile.

1.2.2: Check the Settings Tab if the App Doesn’t Match the User Guide

While navigating the BARD Mobile app, if some results do not match all the information from the user guide, you may have made changes in the Settings tab. The user guide generally documents information with default settings. It is recommended to check the Settings tab or read Section 5: Settings.

1.2.3: Some iPhone Models with Smaller Screens May Not Include Everything.

When using BARD Mobile with iPhone models with a smaller screen and the settings set to default, results might be missing information. For example, when an Audio title is opened in the Now Reading tab, smaller-screen iPhones will only include the title of the book. Larger-screen iPhones and iPads will include the title along with the author, narrator, and book number.

1.2.4: Read Notes for VoiceOver Users

Throughout this user guide, there are notes for VoiceOver users providing additional information about VoiceOver in relation to that portion of the guide. To help users locate these notes, they are inside the * (asterisk) symbols. A general note for VoiceOver Users is below:

*Note for VoiceOver users: When activating an option that opens a screen that has a search field or a list of titles, VoiceOver focus either goes to the search field or the first item of the results list, not to the top of the screen. *

1.3: Access to BARD

Use of BARD Mobile is restricted to eligible NLS patrons who have a BARD account. Individuals and institutions who are currently not a patron of NLS should read about the NLS eligibility requirements and learn about signing up for NLS services. Eligible NLS patrons with a BARD account can use the BARD Mobile for iOS and iPad app. For those who do not have a BARD account, read the BARD application instructions here.

BARD Mobile operates on an iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 14 and higher. To download materials, connection to Wi-Fi or cellular data is necessary.

1.4: Creating a Password for the First Time Using the BARD Website

New BARD members must create a password following these instructions:

  1. During the process of signing up for BARD, an active email address is required. Be sure to provide the email address correctly because an email containing log-in information and other valuable resources will be sent to that address.
  2. Use the link provided in the email to go to the BARD website. When this link is activated, the default browser will open and the page for creating a password loads.
  3. After reading the rules listed on the web site to create a new password, type the password in the first input field, then confirm it by typing the password a second time in the password confirmation field.
  4. Activate the Submit button to log in to the BARD website with the newly created password.
  5. Read and agree to the reading pledge. If successful, a page with the title BARD Main Page will open. Be sure to note the email address along with the newly created password since this will be needed to sign in to BARD Mobile.

1.5: Operating BARD Mobile with VoiceOver and Zoom

BARD Mobile is accessible to blind and visually impaired patrons when used in conjunction with the VoiceOver screen reader or the Zoom magnifier, two features of iOS and iPad OS.

1.5.1: Operating BARD Mobile with the VoiceOver Screen Reader

VoiceOver provides speech and braille feedback for blind or visually impaired users of Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads. While the primary navigation method using VoiceOver is with gestures, there are notable differences when using gestures with VoiceOver versus without VoiceOver.

When using VoiceOver with gestures, a one finger single tap does not activate the item; it places focus on that item. This is because a blind or visually impaired user needs to know the location of the item before activating it. When the VoiceOver user is ready to activate an item, the gesture is a one finger double tap. Throughout this user guide, there will be instructions to activate various items. This means that non voiceover users will perform a one finger single tap on the item while VoiceOver users will need to first find the item, and then perform a one finger double tap.

In addition to locating an item with a one finger single tap to place focus on a specific item, users can then navigate to the previous item with a one finger flick left, or next item with a one finger flick right anywhere on the screen. This means if the user performed a one finger single tap near the desired item but not on the exact location, they could perform another one finger single tap until the item is located. However, if the user already knows that screen and understands the desired item is the next one, then a one finger flick right is also an option.

Beginner VoiceOver users will need to pay close attention to the VoiceOver hints. These hints are on by default and are provided after the name of the item.

Although the VoiceOver screen reader provides many useful options and tools, beginner users will need to spend time to read and learn this feature. While this user guide will provide notes and tips for VoiceOver specifically with the BARD Mobile app, it is recommended to use the below links along with additional links within these web pages to help improve efficiency when using VoiceOver in general:

To learn more about using the VoiceOver screen reader on an iPhone, go to: Turn on and practice VoiceOver on iPhone — Apple Support External.

TO learn more about using the VoiceOver Screen reader on an iPad, go to: Turn on and practice VoiceOver on iPad — Apple Support External.

For short video demonstrations of using VoiceOver with the BARD Mobile app, go to: BARD Mobile How-To Series External. While the previous two links go to Apple, this is a YouTube channel from NLS.

To activate VoiceOver on an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings> Accessibility> VoiceOver, and then turn on VoiceOver.

1.5.2: Operating BARD Mobile with the Zoom Magnifier

Zoom is a magnifier that benefits many low-vision users since it provides visual enhancements such as magnification levels, colors, etc.

For those who use a combination of magnification with speech or braille, Zoom can also work in conjunction with the VoiceOver screen reader.

To learn more about using the Zoom magnifier on an iPhone, go to: Zoom in on the iPhone screen —Apple Support External

TO learn more about using the Zoom magnifier on an iPad, go to: Zoom in on the iPad screen — Apple Support External.

To activate Zoom on an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings>Accessibility>Zoom, and then turn on Zoom.

1.6: BARD Mobile Installation and Login

Use the following instructions to install and log in to BARD Mobile for the first time:

  1. To install BARD Mobile, open the App Store on an iPhone or iPad.
  2. Locate the search tab on the bottom right of the device and if it is not already selected, activate to select the search tab.
  3. Locate and activate the search field near the top of the screen and search for BARD Mobile.
  4. Once selected, find BARD Mobile in the results, and press the Get button.
  5. When the download is complete, press the Open button. This opens the BARD Mobile app and focuses on the NLS Mobile End-User License Agreement.
  6. Once the document is reviewed, navigate to the bottom of the page.
  7. Activate the Agree checkbox to check it.
  8. When the box is checked, navigate to the Start button and activate it.
  9. After the Start button is selected, a BARD login screen will appear.
  10. Enter the email address associated with your BARD account in the user ID text field.
  11. Enter the password you previously created on the BARD website in the password text field.
  12. Select the Return button on the bottom right corner of the on-screen keyboard to complete the login. BARD Mobile will remember the username and password.
  13. When successfully logged in, focus will be on the Get Books screen. It is now time to download the first book or magazine!

Section 2: An Overview of BARD Mobile

This section provides an overview of BARD Mobile to help you get the most out of the app.

2.1: Orientation of the BARD Mobile App

When the BARD Mobile app is opened, the screen is divided into three areas:

  1. The status bar at the top
  2. The content of the currently selected tab. This is below the status bar and takes up most of the screen.
  3. The tab bar at the bottom with four tabs allowing the user to choose a tab and confirm the currently selected tab

2.2: The Status Bar

The status bar, located at the top of the screen, provides information about the iPhone or iPad such as time, battery status, Wi-Fi connection, cellular status, etc.

The status bar is not part of the BARD Mobile interface. It is a feature of the iPhone or iPad. Since it appears at the very top of the screen when BARD Mobile is opened, this is mentioned here to provide background information and orientation.

*Note for VoiceOver users: If focus is not on the status bar, performing a one finger flick left will not focus on the status bar. The VoiceOver user must perform a one finger single tap near the very top of the screen to locate one of the status bar items such as time, battery status, Wi-Fi connection, or cellular status. Once on the status bar, it is possible to go to the previous item with a one finger flick left and next item with a one finger flick right. To leave the status bar, VoiceOver users must perform a one finger single tap anywhere away from the status bar. *

2.3: The Content of the Currently Selected Tab

Below the status bar is the content of the currently selected tab. This takes up most of the screen. The available information depends on which of the four tabs on the tab bar, located below the content, is selected. This area can only show the content of one tab at a time and will change if another tab from the tab bar is selected.

When a tab is selected, focus will be placed at the top of the content screen. From the main screen of each tab is a heading containing the title at the very top of the content area.

If the user chooses various items from the content area, a back button at the top left will be available allowing the user to navigate back to the previous screen.

Some screens will also have an Edit or Done button on the top right. These buttons allow the user to customize categories, select titles to delete, and finalize actions.

2.4: The Tab Bar

The tab bar is located at the bottom of the screen and contains the four tabs of the BARD Mobile app. The tabs from left to right are:

  1. Bookshelf
  2. Get Books
  3. Settings
  4. Now Reading

This means that Bookshelf is on the bottom left, while Now Reading is on the bottom right. Use the tab bar to choose a different tab to display on the main content area or to find out the tab that is currently selected.

*Note for VoiceOver users: Quickly place focus on the tab bar by performing a one finger tap at the bottom of the screen. Tap specifically on the bottom left for Bookshelf, to the right of this for Get Books, to the right of that for Settings, and bottom right for Now Reading.

While using speech, when navigating through the tab bar, VoiceOver will indicate the currently selected tab by saying the word selected in front of the tab that is chosen. For example, “Selected, Bookshelf tab.” When using a braille device with VoiceOver, the letters “seld” will be shown after the name of the tab that is selected. For example, “Bookshelf seld tab.” *

2.4.1: Bookshelf

Bookshelf is the first of four tabs on the tab bar. It is used to view and manage downloaded content. All downloaded books, along with this user guide, can be found within the bookshelf. Titles are divided within the following:

  1. Audio books (includes audio content such as foreign-language titles, music materials, and books)
  2. Audio magazines
  3. Braille books (includes braille content such as foreign-language titles, music materials, and books)
  4. Braille magazines
  5. Help (includes this user guide)

To read more about Bookshelf and how to use it, go to Section 3: Bookshelf.

2.4.2: Get Books

Get Books is the second of four tabs on the tab bar. It is used to search, browse, manage, and download content on BARD. Available options from Get Books include:

  1. Search
  2. Wish list
  3. Recently added to BARD
  4. Most popular books
  5. Browse magazines
  6. Previous downloads
  7. Search music

To read more about Get Books and how to work with it, go to Section 4: Get Books.

2.4.3: Settings

Settings is the third of four tabs on the tab bar. It is used to view and customize various settings for the BARD Mobile app. The main screen of Settings includes the following:

  1. Audio settings
  2. Braille and Display settings
  3. User account settings
  4. Siri settings
  5. Currently running version of BARD Mobile

To read more about Settings, go to Section 5: Settings.

2.4.4: Now Reading

Now Reading is the last of four tabs on the tab bar. While the other tabs can be selected at any time, the Now Reading tab cannot be selected without an opened title.

The Now Reading tab cannot be activated without first opening an audio or braille book or magazine. To open a title, locate a book or magazine from the Bookshelf, or locate and download a title from Get Books, then activate the Read button, automatically moving the user to the Now Reading tab. When a title is opened from Bookshelf or Get books, the Now Reading tab is automatically selected and focus is on the main content area of the Now Reading tab. Once a book is opened, you can select another tab from the tab bar and can also use the tab bar to select and go back to the Now Reading tab since it has an opened title.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When navigating to the Now Reading tab on the bottom right of the screen, if a book is not opened, VoiceOver will indicate this with the word “dimmed” after the words Now Reading. *

When the Now Reading tab is selected, the content area above the tab bar serves as a player for the currently opened book. Some controls are only available when audio content is opened while others are only for braille content.

Some available controls when audio content is opened include sleep timer, jump by chapter, rewind, play/stop, fast forward, and adjust speed. To read more about working with the Now Reading screen when audio content is opened, go to Section 6: Reading Audio Titles.

Some available controls when braille content is opened include the actual braille book, jump by volume, jump by page, and jump by line. To read more about working with the Now Reading screen when braille content is opened, go to Section 7: Reading Braille Titles.

Section 3: Bookshelf

Bookshelf is used to view and manage downloaded content. All downloaded audio and braille books and magazines, along with this user guide, can be found within Bookshelf.

3.1: Accessing Bookshelf

  1. Locate the tab bar on the bottom of the screen.
  2. Find Bookshelf, which is the first of four tabs and is located on the bottom left.
  3. If Bookshelf is already selected, the Bookshelf screen is already shown above the tab bar.
  4. If it is not selected, activate the Bookshelf tab to select it. The Bookshelf screen will appear on the content area above the tab bar.

3.2: Bookshelf Quick Start

This provides quick instructions on how to read and delete titles. For more detailed orientation and information about the various screens of the Bookshelf tab, start Section 3.3: The Bookshelf Screen.

3.2.1: Reading Titles

  1. While on the Bookshelf screen, choose one of the first four categories (Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, and Braille magazines).
  2. When the Current Category screen opens, navigate to a title of interest, and activate the title name. Once the title is chosen, the user is automatically moved to the Now Reading tab, away from the Bookshelf, with player controls allowing the user to read the title.

3.2.2: Deleting Titles without VoiceOver

  1. While in the Bookshelf screen, choose one of the first four categories (Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, and Braille magazines).
  2. When the Current Category screen opens, activate the edit button on the top right.
  3. Once the edit button is activated, navigate to the list of titles. You can search by title or author to filter the list. You can also sort the list alphabetically by title or author’s last name or by recently read.
  4. Once focused on the list, select an item to delete.
  5. Swipe left on the title, revealing the delete option.
  6. Tap the delete option to complete the process.
  7. At this point, either locate another title to delete or use the back button or done button to go back to previous screens.

3.2.3: Deleting Titles with VoiceOver

  1. While in the Bookshelf screen, choose one of the first four categories, (Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, and Braille magazines).
  2. When the Current Category screen opens, navigate to a title of interest.
  3. Perform a one finger flick up or down to get to the delete option.
  4. Perform a one finger double tap to delete the title.
  5. At this point, either locate another title to delete or use the back button to go back to the Bookshelf screen.

3.3: The Bookshelf Screen

The Bookshelf screen shows these items in the following order:

  1. A heading with the title that says Bookshelf
  2. Audio books (includes audio content such as foreign-language titles, music materials, and books)
  3. Audio magazines
  4. Braille books (includes braille content such as foreign-language titles, music materials, and books)
  5. Braille magazines
  6. Help (includes this user guide)

*Note for VoiceOver users: When navigating to different categories, VoiceOver will first indicate the name of the category followed by the number of items within that category. For example: “Audio books, 11 items” or “Help, 1 item.” *

Screenshot of the Bookshelf categories.
Figure 1: Bookshelf categories on an iPad

3.4: The Current Category Screen

This screen appears if the user selects one of the first four categories from the Bookshelf screen, Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, or Braille magazines. While the results will be different depending on the chosen category, the screen is very similar. Therefore, this orientation for the Current Category screen applies to all four categories:

  1. Back button on the top left (used to go back to the Bookshelf screen)
  2. A heading with the name of the chosen category and the number of items. Example: “Audio books (11).”
  3. Edit button on the top right (used to search, view, and delete downloaded titles from the current category)
  4. Search bar (used to search within the current category)
  5. Sorting buttons (by Title, Author, or Latest)
  6. The list of titles (either all items for the current category or results matching the search)
Screenshot of Audio books on the bookshelf. 6 items. Sorted by title.
Figure 2: Audio books category on the Bookshelf on an iPad

*Note for VoiceOver users: When one of the four categories is chosen and the Current Category screen is opened, focus is on the first item of the list of titles, not at the top of the screen. *

3.4.1: Search by Title and Author

Below the back button, the heading , and the edit button is the search field. This is used to search the chosen category by either title or author. To search within the current list, do the following:

  1. Activate the search field.
  2. An onscreen keyboard should appear on the bottom half of the display. An exception to this is if an external keyboard or braille device is connected, since the user is expected to use that instead.
  3. Start typing either the title or the author’s last name.
  4. As information is typed, the list of titles below the search and sorting options will change to match the search.
  5. When the search field is activated, there is a cancel button to the far right of the search field.
  6. If any text is typed, a Clear text button appears directly to the right of the search field and to the left of the cancel button.
Screenshot of Search audio books on the Bookshelf. Harry in the search bar. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the first item in the list. The onscreen keyboard is active.
Figure 3: Bookshelf tab search by title or author feature on an iPad

3.4.2: Sort the List

Below the search field are three buttons allowing you to sort titles. The three sorting options include:

  1. Title (alphabetical order by title)
  2. Author (alphabetical order by author’s last name)
  3. Latest (sorted by date when the user accessed the titles, with most recent on top)

When Title or Author is selected, a section index appears above the list of titles allowing the user to quickly navigate by first letter of a title or an author’s last name.

When Latest is selected, each date is indicated by a heading allowing the user to quickly navigate to a specific date of access.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When navigating to one of these three buttons, VoiceOver will indicate the currently chosen option by either saying the word selected before the name of the button with speech, or with the letters “seld” after the name of the button with braille. *

3.4.3: List of Titles

Below the three buttons to sort titles is the list of downloaded titles for the chosen category. By default, this list contains all titles from the currently chosen category. However, if you perform a search by title and author using the search field above the three sorting buttons, then the list will only contain the matching results. In addition, the order of the titles on this list can be sorted with the three buttons above the list itself.

While in the list of titles, each title may include the following information:

  1. Title name
  2. Author or authors
  3. Total reading time (audio only)
  4. Number of volumes (braille only)
  5. More Info button (appears as a circle with a lowercase "i" located after the total reading time or the number of volumes)

Activating the title name will select the title, automatically moving the user into the Now Reading tab and away from the Bookshelf tab, allowing the user to read that title.

Activating the More Info button will open another screen allowing the user to select additional actions for that title.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When navigating to the next item with a one finger flick right, you will first encounter the Title, where VoiceOver will read title name, author, and either total reading time or number of volumes. If you then navigate to the next item with another one finger flick right, VoiceOver will read More Info, followed by the Title name and author. Activating the title name will start reading that title, and activating the More Info button will open another screen allowing you to select additional actions for that title. Additionally, VoiceOver users can perform a one finger flick up or down on the title name or the More Info button to access many additional actions and then activate to quickly take that action without having to open the More Info screen. *

3.5: The Edit Screen of the Bookshelf

This screen is used to manipulate downloaded items from the current category. These categories include Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, and Braille magazines. This does not apply to the Help category because it contains the user guide and users cannot delete or edit this.

3.5.1: Accessing the Edit Screen

Users can access this screen by doing the following:

  1. Select the Bookshelf tab from the tab bar located on the bottom left of the screen.
  2. Choose one of the first four categories from the Bookshelf screen (Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, or Braille magazines).
  3. Activate the edit button.

3.5.2: Orientation of the Edit Screen

This is similar to the Current Category screen with a few differences.

  1. Back button on the top left (used to go back to the Bookshelf screen to choose another category)
  2. A heading with the name of the chosen category along with the number of items. Example: “Audio books (11).”
  3. Done button on the top right (used to go back to the Current Category screen)
  4. Search bar (used to search within the edit screen)
  5. Sorting buttons (by Title, Author, or Latest)
  6. The list of titles (either all items for the edit screen or results matching the search)

The two main differences with this screen are (1) the edit button is replaced by the done button, and (2) the list of titles does not have a More Info button since this screen is used to delete titles.

Screenshot of Edit audio books on the Bookshelf. Red circle with a white minus sign in the middle next to each title. List sorted by title, beginning with Dog tacos by Terry McChesney.
Figure 4: Bookshelf, Audio books edit screen on an iPad

3.5.3: Deleting Titles without VoiceOver

To delete titles without VoiceOver:

  1. Once the edit button is activated, navigate to the list of titles. You can search by title or author to filter the list. You can also sort the list alphabetically by title or author’s last name or by recently read.
  2. Once focused on the list, select an item to delete.
  3. Swipe left on the title, revealing the delete option.
  4. Tap the delete option to complete the process.
  5. Either locate another title to delete or use the back button or done button to go back to previous screens.

3.5.4: Deleting Titles with VoiceOver

*Note for VoiceOver users: This provides instructions for deleting titles from the Edit screen; however, a faster method exists. For that method, read Section 3.2.3: Deleting Titles with VoiceOver. *

To delete titles from the Edit screen if you are using VoiceOver, do the following:

  1. Once the edit button is activated, navigate to the list of titles. You can sort the list alphabetically by title or author’s last name, or by how long ago the titles were accessed
  2. Once focused on the list, navigate to the item to delete.
  3. Perform a one finger flick up to get to the delete option.
  4. Activate the delete option to complete the process.
  5. Either locate another title to delete or use the back button or done button to go back to previous screens.

3.6: The More Info Screen

The More Info screen is used to get additional information or take additional actions for a specific title.

3.6.1: Accessing the More Info Screen

  1. Select the Bookshelf tab from the tab bar located on the bottom left of the screen.
  2. Choose one of the first four categories from the Bookshelf screen (Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, and Braille magazines).
  3. Activate the More Info button next to the desired title.

3.6.2: Orientation of the More Info Screen

  1. Back button on the top left (used to go back to the previous screen)
  2. The Details heading
  3. More actions button on the top right
  4. Title name
  5. Author name (if available)
  6. Annotation (books only)
  7. Button with plus (+), sign (expand annotation, books only)
  8. Narrator (audio only)
  9. Total time (audio only)
  10. Number of volumes (braille only)
  11. Book number
  12. Read button
Screenshot of The More Info screen for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling.
Figure 5: The More Info screen

*Note for VoiceOver users: VoiceOver speaks the button with the plus (+) sign as the “expand annotation button.” *

3.6.3: Working with the More Actions Button

Activating the More actions button will provide the following choices:

  1. Read button (moves into the Now Reading tab, and away from the Bookshelf tab, to read the title)
  2. All books by author button (opens another screen with list of books by this particular author)
  3. All books in subject button (opens another screen with list of books matching subject of book in focus. There may be multiple buttons if book belongs to multiple subjects.).
  4. All books in series button (opens another screen with list of series, only available for books that belong to a series)
  5. Subscribe to or unsubscribe from series button (only available for books that belong to a series)
  6. Subscribe to or unsubscribe from magazine button (magazines only)
  7. Cancel button (closes More actions)

The All books buttons (including all books by author, all books in subject, and all books in series) open another screen. These screens are similar to the screen that shows titles for a specific category. This means you can search, sort, download, read, and work with the list of titles.

If a book has multiple authors, there will be buttons that allow you to browse all books by each author. The button for the primary author will be first.

If a book belongs to multiple subjects, there will be buttons that allow you to browse all books from each subject. The buttons for the subjects are in alphabetical order.

Screenshot of the More actions panel for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling.
Figure 6: More actions screen on an iPad

3.6.4: Expanding and Contracting the Annotation

When in the More Info screen for a book, to the right of the annotation is a button that has a plus (+) sign. This is used to expand the annotation.

Once the annotation is expanded, it is maximized, which means the annotation takes up the majority of the screen.

When the annotation is expanded, there is a button with a minus (-) sign, allowing the user to contract the annotation again.

*Note for VoiceOver users: VoiceOver speaks the button with the + as the “expand annotation button” and the button with the - as the “contract annotation button.” *

Screenshot of the expanded annotation screen for Harry Potter and the cursed child by Jack Thorne.
Figure 7: Expanded annotation on an iPad

Section 4: Get Books

The Get Books tab is used to search, browse, download, and manage content from BARD. An Internet connection is required to use the Get Books tab.

4.1: Accessing the Get Books Tab

  1. Locate the tab bar on the bottom of the screen.
  2. Find Get Books, which is the second of four tabs from the left. If Get Books is selected, the Get Books screen appears above the tab bar.
  3. If it is not selected, activate the Get Books tab to select it. The Get Books screen will appear above the tab bar.

4.2: Get Books Quick Start

The following sections provide quick instructions to use the seven features on the Get Books screen to search, browse, download, and manage titles. For more detailed orientation and information about the various features of the Get Books tab, start with Section 4.3: The Get Books Screen.

Use this function to perform a BARD search.

  1. While in the Get Books screen, choose Search (this is the first feature).
  2. When the Search screen opens, type in the search field or dictate using the dictate button from the search bar near the top of the screen. Review the available search types, formats, and or languages below the search bar.
  3. To finalize the search, activate the go button from the search bar. Alternatively, activate the search button on the bottom right if the onscreen keyboard is shown.
  4. When the Results screen opens, read through the titles. The default view is relevant to the search term; however, it is possible to change the sorting order by title, author, or latest using the buttons above the list of titles.
  5. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download.

4.2.2: Wish List

The Wish list is used to manage items marked for future reading.

  1. While in the Get Books screen, choose Wish list.
  2. When the Wish list opens, read through the titles, or search using the search bar to limit results. The default view is newly added to Wish list on top; however, it is possible to change the sorting order by title or author using the buttons above the list of titles.
  3. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download. Downloaded titles will be automatically removed from Wish list.

4.2.3: Recently Added to BARD

Recently added To BARD lists books and magazines added in the last thirty days

  1. While in the Get books screen, choose Recently added to BARD.
  2. Choose from Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, and Braille magazines.
  3. When the Results screen opens, read through the titles. Alternatively, search using the search bar to limit results. The default view is newly added on top; however, it is possible to change sorting order by title or author using the buttons above the list of titles.
  4. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download.

Most popular books lists the most downloaded books in the last thirty days.

  1. While in the Get Books screen, choose Most popular books.
  2. Choose from Audio books and Braille books.
  3. When the Results screen opens, read through the titles. Alternatively, search using the search bar to limit results. The default view is most popular; however, it is possible to change sorting order by title or author using the buttons above the list of titles.
  4. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download.

4.2.5: Browse Magazines

Browse magazines provides access to an alphabetical list of magazines.

  1. While in the Get Books screen, choose Browse magazines.
  2. Choose from Audio magazines and Braille magazines.
  3. When the audio or braille magazines screen opens, either search for the name of a magazine or read through the list and choose one.
  4. When the Results screen for the chosen magazine opens, subscribe, or unsubscribe to that magazine by using the subscribe or unsubscribe button at the top.
  5. Alternatively, read through the titles or search using the search bar to limit results.
  6. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download.

4.2.6: Previous Downloads

Choose this option to see a list of previously downloaded titles, which you can download again on the current device or on another device.

  1. While in the Get Books screen, choose Previous downloads.
  2. When the Previous downloads screen opens, read through the titles. Alternatively, search using the search bar to limit results. The default view puts the most recently downloaded on top; however, it is possible to change sorting order by title or author using the buttons above the list of titles.
  3. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download.

4.2.7: Search Music

Choosing the Search music option allows you to specifically search for music books and scores from the NLS Music collection.

  1. While on the Get Books screen, choose Search music (the last feature).
  2. When the Search music screen opens, type in the search field or dictate using the dictate button from the search bar near the top of the screen. Review the available search types and formats below the search bar.
  3. To finalize the search, activate the go button from the search bar. Alternatively, activate the search button on the bottom right if the onscreen keyboard is shown.
  4. When the Results screen opens, read through the titles. The default view is relevant to the search term; however, it is possible to change sorting order by title, author, or latest using the buttons above the list of titles.
  5. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download.

4.2.8: Additional Options for All Seven Features

When in the list of titles for all seven features, before downloading a title consider activating the info button for additional options. The More Info screen will present options such as the book annotation, download title, Add to wish list, and Delete from wish list. Choose More actions for additional choices.

More actions lists the previous actions and additional choices such as All books by author, All books in subject, All books in series, Subscribe to or unsubscribe from series, and Subscribe to or unsubscribe from magazine. (These are possible actions, but only actions relevant to the title will be available.)

4.3: The Get Books Screen

The Get Books screen shows these items in the following order:

  1. A heading with the title that says “Get Books”
  2. Search (by book series, title, author, subject, annotation, book number, and narrator)
  3. Wish list (manage items marked for future reading)
  4. Recently added to BARD (books and magazines added in the last thirty days)
  5. Most popular books (most downloaded books in the last thirty days)Browse magazines (all audio or braille magazines alphabetically by title)
  6. Previous downloads (shows previously downloaded titles for the current account)
  7. Search music (find music books and scores from the music collection)
Screenshot of the Get Books tab. Search, Wish list, Recently added to BARD, Most popular books, Browse magazines, Previous downloads, and Search music.
Figure 8: Get Books screen on an iPad

Note: Sections 4.4 to 4.10 will cover the seven features from the Get Books screen. For explanations about options in common, including the More Info screen and the More actions button, go to Section 4.11: Options That Apply to all Get Books Features.

4.4: Search

Perform a BARD search by book series, title, author, subject, annotation, book number, or narrator. When Search from the Get Books screen is selected, the screen for the Search feature opens and shows the following:

  1. Back button, on the top left (returns to the Get Books screen)
  2. A heading with the title that reads “Search”
  3. Search bar (includes search field, dictate, go, clear text, and cancel)
  4. Search type (includes Keyword, Title, Author, and Annotation)
  5. Format (includes Audio, Braille, and All)
  6. Language (default options are English and Spanish)
Screenshot of the Get Books tab search feature.
Figure 9: Get Books search feature on an iPad

The search bar is used to add a search term by typing or dictating, edit the current search term, cancel the search, and finalize the search.

By default, the search bar includes the search field, dictate button, and go button.

4.4.1.1: The Search Field
  1. The search field is used to type, view, and edit a search term.
  2. When the search field is activated, the search bar now shows the search field, clear text button (only if any text is in the search field), go button to finalize the search, and cancel button.
  3. When the search field is activated, an onscreen keyboard should appear on the bottom half of the display to allow you to start typing. An exception is if an external keyboard or braille device is connected, since the user is expected to use that instead.
4.4.1.2: The Dictate Button
  1. Activate the dictate button to add a search term with speech.
  2. Activate it again to stop dictation. Dictated text will appear in the search field.
4.4.1.3: The Go Button

The go button is used to finalize the search. It is dimmed until text is added to the search field. Be sure to review the selected buttons for search type, format, and language before finalizing the search. Alternatively, activate the search button on the bottom right if the onscreen keyboard is shown.

4.4.2: Search Type

Located below the search bar, search type determines the search criteria and includes the following:

  1. Search by Keyword (selected by default and includes book series, title, author, subject, annotation, book number, and narrator)
  2. Search by Title
  3. Search by Author (type last name, first name)
  4. Search by Annotation

*Note for VoiceOver users: When navigating the buttons to determine search type, VoiceOver will indicate the currently chosen option by either saying the word selected before the name of the button with speech, or with the letters “seld” after the name of the button with braille. This also applies to the buttons for format and language. *

4.4.3: Format

Format determines the format(s) that appear in the search results. Available options include:

  1. Format Audio (selected by default)
  2. Format Braille
  3. Format All (includes audio and braille)

4.4.4: Language

Language determines the language of the titles in the search results. The default options include:

  1. Language English (selected by default)
  2. Language Spanish
  3. Language All (only for BARD Mobile 2.2.1 and earlier).

For BARD mobile 2.2.1 and earlier, the above three items are available and cannot be changed.

Introduced in BARD Mobile 2.2.2, languages can be added and removed from within the Settings tab. Select User account settings, then Language preferences. English is always the first option. To read more about adding and removing languages, go to Section 5.6.5: Language Preferences.

4.4.5: Results Screen for Search Feature

This screen has the following items:

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the previous screen to perform another search).
  2. A heading with the title that shows “Search results,” along with the number of results
  3. Search bar (includes search field with search term from previous screen, dictate button, and go button and is used to modify the search).
  4. Sorting buttons (by Title, Author, or Latest; the default is the one most relevant to the search term on top).
  5. List of titles that match the search (includes title name, which you can activate and confirm to download; author or authors; icon for audio or braille if format All is selected; total reading time for audio; number of volumes for braille; date added to BARD if sorting by date; and More Info).
Screenshot of Search results for Harry Potter in the Get Books tab. Search results: 48.
Figure 10: Get books search results on an iPad

If you activate the search field or the dictate button from the search bar to modify the search term, buttons for search type, format, and language will appear below the search bar and above the buttons for sorting. Once you activate the go button to confirm the search modification, the additional buttons are no longer available.

4.4.5.2: Sorting Titles

By default, the results screen shows titles by relevance to the search term, with most relevant on top. Use the three buttons above the titles to do the following:

  1. Sort by Title (alphabetical order by title)
  2. Sort by Author (alphabetical order by author’s last name)
  3. Sort by Latest (by date when the title was added to BARD, with most recent on top).

Activate one of the above three buttons to select and change the sorting order. To go back to the original sorting order by relevance, activate the currently selected button to unselect it.

4.5: Wish List

The Wish list is the second option on the Get Books screen. This is a powerful feature used to keep track of books you are interested in reading in the future.

4.5.1: The Benefits of the Wish List

  1. The Wish list is associated with a specific user’s account. This means if the user is signed into several devices with the same account, items added to the Wish list will appear in the Wish list feature of these devices.
  2. Items added to the Wish list can be downloaded at a later time or from a different device.
  3. If a user subscribes to a book series or magazine, any newly added titles will be automatically added to the Wish list when available.
  4. Network librarians also have the ability to add and remove items to a user’s Wish list if requested.
  5. Once a title is downloaded, it is automatically removed from the Wish list. If you want to download the same title on multiple devices, either search for and download the book on another device, or work with the Previous downloads feature to download the same title again. For more information, see Section 4.9: Previous Downloads.
  6. Users can remove items from the Wish list if there’s no longer a desire to download them.

4.5.2: The Wish List Screen

This screen has the following items:

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the Get Books screen)
  2. A heading with the title that shows “Wish list” along with the number of results
  3. Edit button on the top right (used to search, view, and delete downloaded titles from the Wish list)
  4. Search bar (used to search the Wish list by title or author)
  5. Sorting buttons (by Title and Author; the default is date added to Wish list, with newest on top).
  6. List of titles in the Wish list (includes title name, author or authors, icon for audio or braille, total reading time for audio, number of volumes for braille, and More Info).
4.5.2.1: Sorting Titles

By default, the results screen shows titles in the order of the date the user added them to the Wish list, with most recent on top. Users can also use the two buttons above the titles to do the following:

  1. Sort by Title (alphabetical order by title)
  2. Sort by Author (alphabetical order by author’s last name)

Activate one of the above two buttons to select and change the sorting order. To go back to the original sorting order of date added to Wish list, activate the currently selected button to unselect it.

4.5.3: The Edit Screen of the Wish List

This screen, which is opened by activating the edit button, is used to manipulate items from the Wish list. It has the following:

  1. Back button on the top left (used to go back to the previous screen)
  2. A heading with the title that says the name of the chosen category along with the number of items. Example: “Audio books (11).”
  3. Done button on the top right (used to go back to the Wish list)
  4. Search bar (used to search by title or author within the edit screen).
  5. Sorting buttons (by Title and Author; the default is by date added, with the newest on top)
  6. The list of titles (either all items for the edit screen or results matching the search).

The main difference with this screen is the list of titles does not have a More Info button, since this screen is used to delete titles.

Screenshot of the Wish list edit screen in the Get Books tab. Title list with delete button next to each title.
Figure 11: Wish list edit screen on an iPad
4.5.3.1: Deleting Titles From the Edit Screen

Instructions for deleting titles from the Wish list are different for users who are not using VoiceOver versus those who are using VoiceOver. Please use the appropriate instructions below:

To delete titles for users who are not using VoiceOver do the following:

  1. Once the edit button is activated, navigate to the list of titles. You can search by title or author to filter the list. You can also sort the list alphabetically by title or author’s last name or by date added.
  2. Once focused on the list, select an item to delete.
  3. Swipe left on the title, revealing the delete option.
  4. Tap the delete option to complete the process.
  5. At this point, either locate another title to delete or use the back button or done button to go back to previous screens.

*Note for VoiceOver users: The above provides instructions for deleting titles from the Edit screen. However, a faster method exists for VoiceOver users. While in the main Wish list screen, focus on the title to delete, perform a one finger flick down to find delete, and activate to delete from Wish list. *

4.6: Recently Added to BARD

Recently added to BARD is the third feature of Get Books and is used to browse books and magazines added to BARD in the last thirty days.

4.6.1: Orientation of the Recently Added to BARD Screen

The Recently added to BARD screen shows the following:

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the Get Books screen)
  2. A heading with the title that shows “Recently added to BARD”
  3. Audio books (includes audio content such as foreign-language titles, music materials, and books)
  4. Audio magazines
  5. Braille books (includes braille content such as international language titles, music materials, and books)
  6. Braille magazines
Screenshot of the Recently added to BARD categories: Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, Braille magazines.
Figure 12: Recently added category screen on an iPad

4.6.2: Results Screen for Recently Added to BARD

After choosing Audio books, Audio magazines, Braille books, or Braille magazines, the results screen shows the following items:

  1. Back button on the top left (used to return to the previous screen)
  2. A heading with the name of the chosen category along with the number of items. Example: “Audio books (50).”
  3. Search bar (used to search within the current category by title and author)
  4. Buttons to sort the list by Title or Author (default is by date added to BARD, newest on top)
  5. The list of titles (includes title name, which you can activate and confirm to download; author or authors; total reading time for audio; number of volumes for braille; and More Info)
Screenshot of the Audio books listing in Recently added to BARD list on the Get Books tab.
Figure 13: Recently added results for audio books screen on an iPad
4.6.2.1: Sorting Titles

By default, the results screen shows titles in the order of the date added to BARD, with most recent on top. You can also use the two buttons above the titles to do the following:

  1. Sort by Title (alphabetical order by title)
  2. Sort by Author (alphabetical order by author’s last name)

Activate one of the above two buttons to select them and change the sorting order. To go back to the original sorting order of date added to BARD, activate the currently selected button to unselect it.

When viewing titles in the default order of date added to BARD, a section index appears below the sorting buttons. This is used to quickly navigate to a specific date. In addition, the dates are indicated by headings.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When on the index, perform a one finger flick up or down to quickly navigate by date. It is also possible to navigate by date by using the rotor to go to headings and then perform a one finger flick up for previous heading and one finger flick down for next heading. *

Most popular books is used to browse the most downloaded books in the last thirty days.

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the Get Books screen)
  2. A heading with the title “Most popular books”
  3. Audio books
  4. Braille books
Screenshot of the Most popular books categories in the Get Books tab. Audio books, Braille books.
Figure 14: Most popular books categories screen on an iPad

The results screen appears when Audio or Braille books is chosen and shows the following:

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the previous screen)
  2. A heading with the name of the chosen category along with the number of items. Example: “Audio books (50).”
  3. Search bar (used to search within the current category by title and author)
  4. Buttons to sort the list by Title or Author (default is by most popular)
  5. The list of titles (includes title name, which you can activate and confirm to download; author or authors; total reading time for audio); number of volumes for braille; and More Info).
Screenshot of the Audio books listing in the Most popular books list in the Get Books tab.
Figure 15: Most popular audio books results screen on an iPad
4.7.2.1: Sorting Titles

By default, the results screen shows titles in the order of the most downloaded books in the last thirty days, with the most popular on top. Use the two buttons above the titles to do the following:

  1. Sort by Title (alphabetical order by title)
  2. Sort by Author (alphabetical order by author’s last name)

Activate one of the above two buttons to select and change the sorting order. To go back to the original sorting order of most popular, activate the currently selected button to unselect it.

4.8: Browse Magazines

Browse magazines is used to browse all audio or braille magazines alphabetically by title.

4.8.1: Select a Format Screen

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the Get Books screen)
  2. A heading with the title “Browse magazines”
  3. Audio magazines
  4. Braille magazines
Screenshot of the Browse magazines categories in the Get Books tab.
Figure 16: Browse magazines format selection screen on an iPad

4.8.2: Choose a Magazine Screen

The below orientation applies to both audio and braille magazines:

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the previous screen)
  2. A heading with the name of the chosen category along with the number of items. Examples: “Audio magazines (96),” or “Braille magazines (103).”
  3. Search bar (used to search for a specific magazine).
  4. The list of magazines (in alphabetical order by title)
Screenshot of the Audio magazines listing in the Browse magazines list in the Get Books tab.
Figure 17: Audio magazine list screen on an iPad

4.8.3: Manage Chosen Magazine Screen

Once you select a magazine title, the resulting screen displays the following items:

  1. Back button on the top left (returns to the previous screen)
  2. A heading with the title that shows the name of the chosen magazine, the format, and with the number of items. Example: “Talking Book Topics (audio) (50).”
  3. Button to subscribe or unsubscribe to the current magazine
  4. Search bar (used to search for a specific magazine issue)
  5. Section index (used to go to a specific month and year)
  6. The list of magazines (in order by newest on top). Activate name and confirm to download.
Screenshot of American History magazine issue listing in the Audio magazines category of the Browse magazines list in the Get Books tab.
Figure 18: Download magazine issues screen on an iPad

4.9: Previous Downloads

Previous downloads is used to view and manage previously downloaded titles

4.9.1: Benefits of Previous Downloads

  1. Allows user to view a list of previously downloaded titles
  2. Downloaded titles include books or magazines that are downloaded on another device using the same user account.
  3. Allows users to redownload a previously deleted title.
  4. Users will be informed if a specific title is downloaded to the current device when browsing titles.

4.9.2: The Previous Downloads Screen

When Previous downloads from the Get Books screen is selected, the following items are shown:

  1. Back button, on the top left (returns to the Get Books screen)
  2. A heading with the title “Previous downloads” along with the number of results
  3. Search bar (used to search by title or author).
  4. Sorting buttons (by Title and Author), (default is by date downloaded with newest on top).
  5. List of titles in Previous downloads (includes title, which you can activate and confirm to download); author or authors; icon for audio or braille; total reading time for audio;, number of volumes for braille; and More Info).
Screenshot of the Previous downloads listing in the Get Books tab.
Figure 19: Previous downloads screen on an iPad
4.9.2.1: Sorting Titles

By default, the results screen shows titles in the order of the downloaded date, with most recent on top. Use the two buttons above the titles to do the following:

  1. Sort by Title (alphabetical order by title).
  2. Sort by Author (alphabetical order by author’s last name).

Activate one of the above two buttons to select and change the sorting order. To go back to the original sorting order of date downloaded from BARD, activate the currently selected button to unselect it.

When viewing titles in the default order of date downloaded from BARD, a section index appears below the sorting buttons. This is used to quickly navigate to a specific date. In addition, the dates are indicated by headings.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When on the index, perform a one finger flick up or down to quickly navigate by date. It is also possible to navigate by date by using the rotor to go to headings and then perform a one finger flick up for previous heading and one finger flick down for next heading.*

4.10: Search Music

Search music is used to find music books and scores from the music collection by series, title, author, subject, annotation, book number, and narrator.

The Search music feature has similar functions as those from the Search feature, the first feature of Get Books). There are two differences:

  1. Search music only searches the music collection.
  2. Search music does not have buttons to filter by language, since music titles do not have an assigned language.

When Search music from the Get Books screen is selected, the following items are shown:

  1. Back button, on the top left (returns to the Get Books screen)
  2. A heading that reads “Search music”
  3. Search bar (includes search field, dictate, go, clear text, and cancel)
  4. Search type (includes Keyword, Title, Author, and Annotation)
  5. Format (includes Audio, Braille, and All)
Screenshot of the Search music screen in the Get Books tab.
Figure 20: Search music screen on an iPad

4.10.1: Search Bar

The search bar is used to add a search term (by typing or dictating), edit the current search term, cancel the search, and finalize the search.

By default, the search bar includes the search field, dictate button, and go button.

4.10.1.1: The Search Field
  1. The search field is used to type, view, and edit a search term.
  2. When the search field is activated, the search bar shows the search field, clear text button (only if any text is in the search field), go button to finalize the search, and cancel button.
  3. When the search field is activated, an onscreen keyboard should appear on the bottom half of the display to allow you to start typing. An exception to this is if an external keyboard or braille device is connected, since the user is expected to use that instead.
4.10.1.2: The Dictate Button
  1. Activate the dictate button to add a search term with speech.
  2. Activate it again to stop dictation. Dictated text will appear in the search field.
4.10.1.3: The Go Button

The go button is used to finalize the search. It is dimmed until text is added to the search field. Be sure to review the selected buttons for search type and format before finalizing the search with the go button.

4.10.2: Search Type

Located below the search bar, search type determines the search criteria and includes the following:

  1. Search by Keyword (selected by default; includes series, title, author, subject, annotation, book number, and narrator)
  2. Search by Title
  3. Search by Author (type last name, first name)
  4. Search by Annotation

*Note for VoiceOver users: When navigating the buttons to determine search type, VoiceOver will indicate the currently chosen option by either saying the word selected before the name of the button with speech, or with the letters “seld” after the name of the button with Braille. This also applies to the buttons for Format. *

4.10.3: Format

This determines the format(s) that appear in the search results. Available options include:

  1. Format Audio (selected by default)
  2. Format Braille
  3. Format All (includes audio and braille)

4.10.4: Results Screen for Search Music

The Search music screen displays the following items:

  1. Back button on the top left, returns to the previous screen to perform another search)
  2. A heading that shows “Search results” along with the number of results
  3. Search bar (includes search field with search term from previous screen, dictate button, and go button and is used to modify the search)
  4. Sorting buttons (by Title, Author, or Date)
  5. List of titles that match the search (includes title, which you can activate and confirm to download), author or authors, icon for audio or braille if Format All is selected, total reading time for audio, number of volumes for braille, and More Info).
Screenshot of the Search music results screen in the Get Books tab. Search term: Guitar.
Figure 21: Music Search Results screen on an iPad
4.10.4.1: Modifying the Search

If you activate the search field or the dictate button from the search bar to modify the search term, buttons for search type and format will appear below the search bar and above the buttons for sorting. Once you activate the go button to confirm the search modification, the additional buttons are no longer available.

4.10.4.2: Sorting Titles

By default, the results screen shows titles by relevance to the search term, with most relevant on top. Use the three buttons above the titles to do the following:

  1. Sort by Title (alphabetical order by title)
  2. Sort by Author (alphabetical order by author’s last name)
  3. Sort by Latest (by date of when the title was added to BARD, with most recent on top)

Activate one of the above three buttons to select and change the sorting order. To go back to the original sorting order by relevance, activate the currently selected button to unselect it.

4.11: Options That Apply to All Get Books Features

This section explains the common options that applies to all seven features of the Get Books screen, including the results, More Info, and More actions.

4.11.1: Common Options in the Results Screen.

All features of Get Books lead to a results screen and allow users to do the following:

  1. Use the Search box to change the results that appear
  2. Change the sorting order
  3. Activate the name of the title you want to read and then confirm to download
  4. Activate the More Info button (appears as a circle with a lowercase "i" after the total time or the number of volumes and opens another screen with additional options for that title)

4.11.2: The More Info Screen

The More Info screen is used to get additional information or take additional actions for a specific title.

4.11.2.1: Accessing the More Info Screen
  1. Choose one of the seven features from the Get Books screen.
  2. For some features, the results screen will open once that feature is chosen. Other features will require choosing additional options from additional screens before getting to the results.
  3. When the screen that shows titles opens, activate the More Info button next to the desired title.
4.11.2.2: Orientation of the More Info Screen
  1. Back button on the top left (used to go back to the previous screen)
  2. A heading with the title Details
  3. More actions button on the top right
  4. Title
  5. Author name (if available)
  6. Annotation (books only)
  7. Button with plus (+) sign (expand annotation, books only)
  8. Narrator (audio only)
  9. Total time (audio only)
  10. Number of volumes (braille only)
  11. Book number
  12. Add to wish list button (available when title is not already on the Wish list or downloaded to the current device)
  13. Delete from wish list button (available when title is previously added to the Wish list)
  14. Download button (available when title is not downloaded to the current device)
  15. Read button (available when title is downloaded to the current device)
Screenshot of the More information screen--Details--for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling.
Figure 22: More book information screen on an iPad

*Note for VoiceOver users: VoiceOver speaks the button with the plus (+) sign as the “expand annotation button.” *

4.11.2.3: The More Actions Button

Activating the More actions button from the More info screen will provide the following choices:

  1. Download button (available when title is not downloaded to the current device)
  2. Add to wish list button (available when title is not already on the wish list or downloaded to the current device)
  3. Delete from wish list button (available when title is previously added to the wish list)
  4. Read button (moves into the Now Reading tab and away from the Get Books tab to read the title; available when title is downloaded to the current device)
  5. All books by author button, (opens another screen with list of books by author, books only).
  6. All books in subject button (opens another screen with list of books matching subject, may have multiple buttons if book belongs to multiple subjects, books only)
  7. All books in series button (opens another screen with list of series, only available for books that belong to a series)
  8. Subscribe to or unsubscribe from series button (only available for books that belong to a series)
  9. Subscribe to or unsubscribe from magazine button (magazines only)
  10. Cancel button (closes More actions button)

The All books buttons (including all books by author, all books in subject, and all books in series) open another screen. These screens are similar to the screen that shows titles for a specific category. This means users can search, sort, download, read, and work with the list of titles.

If a book has multiple authors, there will be buttons to allow the user to browse all books by each author. The button for the primary author will be first.

If a book belongs to multiple subjects, there will be buttons to allow the user to browse all books from each subject. The buttons for the subjects are in alphabetical order.

Screenshot of the More actions screen for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling.
Figure 23: More actions screen on an iPad
4.11.2.4: Expanding and Contracting the Annotation

When in the More Info screen for a book, to the right of the annotation is a button that has a plus (+) sign. This is used to expand the annotation.

Once the annotation is expanded, it is maximized, which means the annotation takes up the entirety of the content screen.

When the annotation is expanded, there is a button with a minus (-) sign, allowing the user to contract the annotation again.

*Note for VoiceOver users: VoiceOver speaks the button with the plus (+) sign as the “expand annotation button,” and the button with the minus (-) sign as the “contract annotation button.” *

Screenshot of the Expanded annotation screen for Harry Potter and the cursed child by Jack Thorne.
Figure 24: Expanded annotation field on an iPad

Section 5: Settings

BARD Mobile allows the user to adjust audio, display, user account, and Siri settings to optimize the reading experience through the Settings tab.

5.1: Accessing the Settings Tab

  1. Locate the tab bar on the bottom of the screen.
  2. Find Settings, which is the third tab from the left.
  3. Activate the Settings tab to select it. The Settings screen will appear in the content area above the tab bar.

5.2: The Settings Screen

This is the screen that appears when the Settings tab is activated. It contains the following items:

  1. Audio settings
  2. Braille and Display settings
  3. User account settings
  4. Siri settings
  5. Currently running version of BARD Mobile

5.3: Difference between BARD Mobile Settings with iPhone vs an iPad

When in the Settings tab using an iPhone, if you choose one of the four buttons within the Settings screen, this will open a new screen with specific settings allowing you to make adjustments. When you are finished making adjustments, the back button on the top left can be activated to go back to the Settings screen to choose other settings.

When in the Settings tab using an iPad, if you choose one of the four buttons within the Settings screen, which is located on the left side of the display, the right side of the display will show options for that chosen setting. When you finish making adjustments, activate one of the other four buttons on the left side of the screen instead of activating the back button. The reason for that is the iPad shows the Settings screen on the left and the options for the selected button on the right.

Screenshot of the Settings screen for iPhone.
Figure 25: Settings screen on an iPhone
Screenshot of the Settings screen for iPad.
Figure 26: Settings screen on an iPad

5.4: Audio Settings

The first button on the Settings screen is the Audio settings button. The Audio settings screen has the following options:

  1. Speed
  2. Tone
  3. Background playback
  4. Auto-lock during playback
  5. Automatic start playback
  6. Automatic 5 second rewind
  7. Skippable
  8. Verbosity
  9. Silence button beeps
  10. Restore Defaults
Screenshot of the Audio settings screen for iPad.
Figure 27: Audio settings on an iPad

The audio settings for speed and tone are the global settings for playing audio content. Speed and tone are also available while in the Now Reading tab for individual audio titles. A global setting will affect audio titles that did not have individual adjustments. For example, if the global audio settings speed is set to 125 percent and the user changes a specific audio title to 75 percent, then the 75 percent would only apply to that specific title. The other audio content will remain at 125 percent.

5.4.1: Speed

Speed allows you to adjust the global audio playback speed. The default speed is at 100 percent and is adjusted by a slider. Users not using VoiceOver can slide the slider to the left to decrease the speed or to the right to increase the speed.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When on the slider for speed, adjust the speed by performing a one finger flick up or down. A one finger flick up increases the speed by 25 percent and one finger flick down decreases the speed by 25 percent. *

5.4.2: Tone

Tone allows you to adjust the global audio playback tone for audiobooks and magazines. The narration tone determines the level of bass or treble in the reading voice. The default tone is zero and can be adjusted by a slider. Increasing the tone adds more treble and decreasing the tone adds more bass while reading audio content. Users not using VoiceOver can slide the slider to the left to decrease the tone or to the right to increase the tone.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When on the slider for tone, adjust the tone by performing a one finger flick up or down. A one finger flick up increases the tone by 1 and one finger flick down decreases the tone by1. *

5.4.3: Background Playback

Background playback determines whether or not audio content continues to play when the user locks the device or moves away from the BARD Mobile app. The default for this setting is On.

When on, the audio content will continue to play, even if the device is locked or the user moves away from BARD Mobile.

When Background Playback is set to Off, BARD Mobile will stop playing when the user locks the device or moves away from the app.

5.4.4: Auto-Lock during Playback

Auto-lock during playback is used to determine how an iPad or iPhone will behave while audio content is playing. It works in conjunction with the Auto-lock feature in the main Settings app of an iPad or iPhone, which determines how much time will pass before the device turns off the display in order to save battery life and prevent unintended operation. The default for Auto-lock during playback is Off.

When the Auto-lock during playback setting is Off and audio content is playing with the BARD Mobile app, the device will not lock, no matter how the Auto-lock feature was set in the main Settings of the device.

When audio content is not playing, the device will lock according to the time chosen for the Auto-lock feature in the main Settings.

When the Auto-lock during playback setting is On, the device will lock according to the time chosen for the Auto-lock feature in the main Settings of the device, whether or not audio content is playing.

If audio content is playing, the device locks, and the Background playback setting is turned off, BARD Mobile will stop playing.

If audio content is playing, the device locks, and the Background Playback setting is turned on, BARD Mobile will continue to play.

5.4.5: Automatic Start Playback

Automatic start playback determines the app’s behavior when the user chooses an audio title to read and is placed in the Now Reading tab with player controls for the audio. This is off by default. When it is off, the user must activate the play button to begin playing the title. When Automatic start playback is on, the audio content will begin playing without the need to activate the play button.

5.4.6: Automatic 5 Second Rewind

Automatic 5 second rewind is off by default. When this is off, resuming playback of audio content will continue reading from the last reading position.

When Automatic 5 second rewind is on, audio content will automatically rewind five seconds from the last reading position under the below conditions:

  1. While reading an audio title, the user reads another audio title and then chooses to continue reading the original audio title.
  2. The user closes the BARD Mobile app, reopens it, and resumes audio in the Now Reading tab.

Closing the BARD Mobile app means going to the device’s app switcher and closing the app. Simply moving away from the BARD Mobile app, returning to it, and resuming audio playback will not rewind playback 5 seconds.

5.4.7: Skippable

Skippable allows the user to control whether items such as sidebars, page numbers, and footnotes, when marked by the producer of the audio content, will be played or skipped during normal playback. The default setting is to play this information.

Unlike the other buttons from the audio settings, the Skippable button does not toggle between Play and Skip when activated. Instead, it opens an additional screen where the user has to navigate to Play or Skip and activate that button. Activating the back button on the top left returns to the other audio settings.

5.4.8: Verbosity

This only affects the behavior of BARD Mobile for users not using VoiceOver, since VoiceOver handles the verbosity when enabled. This setting determines if messages are spoken as users navigate a book using the buttons on the Now Reading screen. By default, the Verbosity option is on, and spoken messages are provided. This is similar to the messages heard when using a digital talking-book player.

5.4.9: Silence Button Beeps

Silence button beeps allows users to determine whether or not to play the beeps that sound when activating the button controls in the Now Reading tab. This is off by default.

When off, audible beeps will sound when the Sleep Timer, Bookmark, Previous, Menu, Next, Rewind, Play/Stop, Forward, Speed, and Tone buttons are activated in the Now Reading tab. When it is on, the beeps will not sound.

Since the purpose of the setting is to silence the beeps, choosing On will silence the beeps, while Off will play the beeps.

5.4.10: Restore Defaults

The Restore Defaults button is located at the bottom of the audio Settings screen. This is used to reset all audio settings to BARD Mobile default values. To learn about default values for each of the above settings, please read the appropriate sections.

When users activate the restore defaults button, this action will take place immediately. There is no confirmation before the action is taken. It is also not possible to undo this action.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When activating this action, VoiceOver does not say that any changes were made. However, reviewing the settings will reflect the default values. *

5.5: Braille and Display Settings

The second button on the Settings screen is the Braille and Display settings button. Once activated, the following options are available:

  1. Contrast
  2. Braille reflow
  3. Braille display length
  4. Braille autoscroll
  5. Time per Line
  6. Time per Character
  7. Restore Defaults
Screenshot of the Braille and Display settings screen for iPad.
Figure 28: Braille and Display settings on an iPad

5.5.1: Contrast

Contrast allows users to choose a contrast option for the text in relation to the background color. This is set to black text on a white background by default.

The Contrast button opens an additional screen where the user has to navigate to the desired contrast and activate that button. Available contrast choices include:

  1. Black text on a white background
  2. White text on a black background
  3. Black text on a yellow background
  4. Yellow text on a black background

When satisfied with the selection, activate the back button on the top left to go back to the other Braille and Display settings.

The Contrast button is used to configure the way text and background appear visually and is not related to braille.

The below options are related to the use of VoiceOver with an external braille device.

5.5.2: Braille Reflow and Braille Display Length

Braille reflow allows BARD Mobile to tailor line lengths to match braille display size, breaking lines only when necessary (for example, at the ends of paragraphs), to provide a smoother reading experience. This is off by default.

When braille reflow is on, users can customize the braille display length. The default value is 40 cells. Select the Braille display length button to change the display length. A new screen will appear. Available values are: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 32, and 40. When satisfied with the selection, activate the back button on the top left to go back to the other Braille and Display settings.

For more information, read Section 7.9 Braille Reflow.

5.5.3: Braille Autoscroll

Autoscroll allows the user to read a braille book with minimal hand movement. This is set to off by default. When autoscroll is on, the braille display will begin advancing automatically. Below the autoscroll button are the options for Time per Line and Time per Character. When Braille autoscroll is turned on, Time per Line and Time per Character can be increased or decreased.

The default value for autoscroll Time per Line is 1,500 milliseconds (1.5 seconds) for a 40-cell display. Changing the display length will prorate the amount. For example, setting display length to 20 will result in the autoscroll Time per Line to change to 625 milliseconds. The default Time per Character on the line is 50 milliseconds.

For more information, read Section 7.10: Braille Autoscroll.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When Braille autoscroll is off, users cannot adjust Time per Line and Time per Character. When navigating to Time per Line or Time per Character, VoiceOver will say “dimmed” with speech and show “dmd” in braille. *

5.5.4: Restore Defaults

The Restore Defaults button is the last option on the Braille and Display settings screen. This is used to reset all Braille and Display settings to BARD Mobile default values. To learn about default values for each of the above settings, please read the appropriate sections.

When users activate the Restore Defaults button, the action will take place immediately. There is no confirmation before the action is taken. It is also not possible to undo this action.

* Note for VoiceOver users: When activating this action, VoiceOver does not say that any changes were made. However, reviewing the settings will reflect the default values. *

5.6: User Account Settings

The third button on the Settings screen is the User account settings button. This has the following options:

  1. BARD account
  2. Download over mobile network
  3. Auto-lock during download
  4. Show me (both audio and braille, audio only, or braille only)
  5. Language preferences
  6. Restore Defaults
User account settings screen
Figure 29: User account settings on an iPhone

5.6.1: BARD Account

The BARD account screen is used to view and edit account information, read the device ID, and send diagnostic logs to NLS.

When the BARD account button is activated, a new screen opens displaying the following items:

  1. Back button on the top left to return to the previous screen.
  2. Heading that reads “BARD account.”
  3. Subtitle that reads Login Information
  4. Text field for user ID (email address)
  5. Text field for password
  6. Reset password button
  7. Subtitle for Device ID
  8. The device ID itself
  9. Send diagnostic log to NLS button
Screenshot of the BARD account screen for iPad.
Figure 30: BARD account screen on an iPad

BARD Mobile allows multiple users to use one device. Users log into BARD Mobile using a unique email address and password. This is done by changing the information from the two edit fields to reflect the proper email address and password for each user.

When the same device is used to sign into multiple accounts, the current user will also see books from other users, but the current user cannot read those books.

5.6.2: Download over Mobile Network

Download materials over a mobile network only appears in User Account Settings if the device has cellular capabilities. This is off by default. When on, users can download titles using a mobile network. A data plan is required, and data rates may apply.

5.6.3: Auto-Lock during Download

Auto-lock during download determines whether or not the device automatically locks the screen while a download is in progress. It works in conjunction with the Auto-lock feature in the main settings of an iPad or iPhone, which determines how much time will pass before the device turns off the display in order to save battery life and prevent unintended operation.

Auto-lock during download is off by default. When it is off, while a download is in progress, the device will not lock, no matter how the Auto-lock feature was set in the device’s main settings. When Auto-lock during download is on, the device will lock according to the time chosen for the Auto-lock feature in its settings, possibly interrupting the download process.

5.6.4: Show Me

Show me allows the user to customize the preferred format shown when specifically viewing three features of the Get Books tab. This includes recently added to BARD, Most popular books, and Browse magazines. The default is both audio and braille. Additional options include audio only and braille only.

Note: The sections on the three features lists the options that appear if this setting is set to the default of both audio and braille. When reading Sections 4.6.1: Orientation of the Recently Added to BARD Screen, 4.7.1: Orientation of the Most Popular Books Screen, and 4.8.1: Select a Format Screen, results will be different if this setting is changed.

5.6.5: Language preferences

Introduced in BARD Mobile 2.2.2, Language preferences determine the available language options when using the search feature of the Get Books tab. By default, the first language is English and the second is Spanish. Choose the language preferences button, browse through the available languages, activate a language to add it, and activate an added language again to remove it. While browsing languages, users will also be informed of the number of available titles for that specific language.

The first language is English and cannot be changed. Additional languages will be presented in the order they will appear in the search feature. For example, the default has English as the first language and Spanish as the second language. If the user adds French, this will be the third language. If the user would like French to be the second language, activate Spanish to remove it and then activate French to add it as the second language. When satisfied with language preferences, activate the back button on the top left to return to the User account settings.

5.6.6: Restore Defaults

The Restore Defaults button is the last option on the User account settings screen. This is used to reset account settings to BARD Mobile default values. This does not reset the BARD account information, which is the first setting on this screen. To learn about default values for each of the above settings, please read the appropriate sections.

When users activate the Restore Defaults button, the action will take place immediately. There is no confirmation before the action is taken. It is also not possible to undo this action.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When activating this action, VoiceOver does not say that any changes were made. However, reviewing the settings will reflect the default values. *

5.7: Siri Settings

The last button on the Settings screen is Siri settings. Introduced in BARD Mobile 2.2.2, this provides the user options to add, remove, and customize Siri shortcuts for BARD Mobile. When a shortcut is added, users can call Siri, speak a command, and verbally control the Now Reading audio content from BARD mobile.

5.7.1: Working with Siri Settings to Locate Commands

Once users choose Siri settings from the Settings screen, the following steps can be used to locate Siri shortcuts:

  1. Select the Now Reading Audio button.
Screenshot of the Siri settings screen for iPad.
Figure 31: Siri settings on an iPad

In the next screen, either choose the Playback button or the Navigate button.

Screenshot of the Siri Now Reading Audio screen for iPad.
Figure 32: Siri Now Reading Audio screen on an iPad

Available Siri shortcuts that control playback include:

  1. Start playing
  2. Stop playing
  3. Sleep timer, An interactive shortcut
  4. Sleep timer 15
  5. Sleep timer 30
  6. Sleep timer 45
  7. Sleep timer 60
  8. Sleep chapter
Screenshot of the Playback setting screen for Siri.
Figure 33: Playback Siri settings screen on an iPad

For the Sleep timer interactive shortcut, Siri will list available options and require the user to respond before taking the action .

For the commands that contain a number after the words “sleep timer,” the numbers represent minutes. For example, “Sleep timer 15” will ask Siri to set a sleep timer for 15 minutes.

Available Siri shortcuts used to navigate BARD audio content include:

  1. Next chapter
  2. Previous chapter
  3. Jump, an interactive shortcut
  4. Jump 20 seconds
  5. Jump back, an interactive shortcut
  6. Jump back 20 seconds
  7. Bookmark
Screenshot of the Navigation setting screen for Siri.
Figure 34: Navigation Siri settings screen on an iPad

For the Jump and Jump back interactive shortcuts, Siri will list available options and require the user to respond before taking the action.

5.7.2: Managing Siri Shortcuts

When navigating through the Siri shortcuts from the Playback or Navigation screens, you will encounter the name of the shortcut followed by the status of the shortcut. It will either indicate that the shortcut is already added to Siri or provide the option to add it to Siri. Activating the Add to Siri option will add the shortcut. Activating the Add to Siri or Added to Siri options will open an additional screen with the following options:

  1. Edit in shortcuts button, which opens the shortcuts app of the device
  2. Image of the Siri icon. It is decorative, which means activating it does not take any action.
  3. Edit field to customize preferred voice phrase
  4. Change voice phrase button to dictate the new phrase
  5. Done button to exit this screen
  6. Remove shortcut button
Screenshot of the Customize Siri shortcut screen.
Figure 35: Customize Siri shortcut screen on an iPad

Section 6: Reading Audio Titles

The Now Reading tab, located on the bottom right, is used to read audio and braille titles that are downloaded onto the device. The information in the main content area of the Now Reading tab is different when an audio or braille title is opened. Section 6 provides information about working with audio titles in the Now Reading tab. For information about the Now Reading tab when a braille title is opened, go to Section 7: Reading Braile Titles.

6.1: Accessing the Now Reading Tab

The Now Reading tab cannot be activated without first opening an audio or braille book or magazine. To open a title, locate a book or magazine from the Bookshelf, or locate and download a title from Get Books, then activate the read button, automatically moving the user to the Now Reading tab.

If a title is already opened, and the user explores another tab, the user can return to the Now Reading tab to access controls for the current title with the following:

  1. Locate the tab bar on the bottom of the screen.
  2. Find Now Reading, which is the last of four tabs, on the bottom right.
  3. Activate the Now Reading tab to select it. The main screen of Now Reading with the most recent title will appear on the content area above the tab bar.

6.2: Orientation for Now Reading Screen

When the Now Reading tab is selected and an audio title is opened, these items appear on the screen in the following order:

  1. Title bar (includes recently read titles, AirPlay options, current book title, and navigation)
  2. Title information (includes current section title, author, narrator, and book number)
  3. Reading time and current position
  4. Sleep timer
  5. Bookmark
  6. Jump by various navigation points (includes Previous, the Jump by menu, and Next)
  7. Primary player controls (includes Rewind, Play/Stop, and Fast Forward)
  8. Speed/Tone
Screenshot of the Now Reading screen with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets loaded in the reading position.
Figure 36: Now Reading screen on an iPad

6.3: Title Bar

At the top of the Now Reading screen is the title bar. It displays the following items:

  1. Recently read button on the top left
  2. AirPlay button (an Apple feature to send audio to AirPlay-compatible devices)
  3. Title of the current book
  4. Navigation button on the top right (provides an additional way to navigate through the book by contents, pages, and bookmarks).

6.3.1: Recently Read

Recently read allows users to view and continue reading recently read titles on the iPhone or iPad. This includes both audio and braille. If a recently read title is deleted, then it will not be included.

6.3.1.1: View Recently Read

There are two methods to view Recently read:

Method one: From the Now Reading screen, activate the Recently read button on the top left.

Method two: From the Now Reading screen, swipe left.

*Note for VoiceOver users: From the Now Reading screen, perform a three finger flick left for method two instead. *

6.3.1.2: Working With Recently Read

Recently read opens in a new screen for iPhones and a pop-up for iPads.

Recently read lists titles with the most recent on top. Each item includes the title and audio or braille icon to identify the format.

To exit Recently read without choosing another title:

  1. Activate the back button on the top left when using an iPhone.
  2. Activate the dismiss popup button on the bottom left when using an iPad.
  3. Both iPhone and iPad users can also activate the first title, which is the current title.
Screenshot of the Recently Read screen on iPhone.
Figure 37: Recently read screen on an iPhone
Screenshot of the Recently Read pop-over screen on iPad.
Figure 38: Recently read screen on an iPad

To access the Navigation screen, activate the Navigation button located on the top right corner of the Now Reading screen. (The iPad Navigation screen is displayed as a pop-up.)

The Navigation screen provides an alternate way to navigate through the contents of the current title.

6.3.2.1: Orientation for the Navigation screen
  1. Back button on the top left (iPhone only, used to return to previous screen)
  2. Dismiss pop-up on the top left (iPad only, used to return to previous screen)
  3. Heading that says “Navigation”
  4. Skippable button on the top right
  5. Toolbar to determine the items that appear below (includes Contents, Page, and Bookmark; Contents is selected by default.)
  6. List of items determined by the toolbar
Screenshot of the Navigation screen on iPhone for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Figure 39: Navigation screen on an iPhone
Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Figure 40: Navigation screen on an iPad
6.3.2.2: Skippable Button

Skippable allows you to control whether items such as sidebars, page numbers, and footnotes, when marked by the producer of the audio content, are played or skipped during normal playback. The default setting is to play this information.

This is for the current audio title. To adjust the skippable setting for all titles, change it under Audio settings in the Settings tab.

To browse the contents for the current title while in Navigation:

  1. Make sure Contents is selected on the toolbar.
  2. The contents appear below the toolbar.
  3. A triangle next to a navigation item indicates that the item can be expanded to display additional information. Tap and hold to expand or collapse.
  4. Tap on the desired item to close the Navigation screen. The playing position moves to the selected navigation point.
Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad. Contents tab activated with contents expanded for The Women by Kristin Hannah.
Figure 41: Navigation screen with contents expanded on an iPad

*Note for VoiceOver users: If a navigation item can be expanded to show more items, VoiceOver both verbalizes and shows in braille the word “plus” in front of the item name. Perform a one finger double tap and hold to expand the item, resulting in additional items below.

If a navigation item is already expanded showing more items below that item, VoiceOver both verbalizes and shows in braille the word “minus” in front of the item name. Perform a one finger double tap and hold to collapse the item, hiding additional items below.

Performing a one finger double tap closes the Navigation screen, and the playing position moves to the selected navigation point. *

6.3.2.4: Navigating by Page

To go to a specific page for the current title while in navigation:

  1. Make sure Page is selected on the toolbar. (Not all titles have page navigation.)
  2. The pages appears below the toolbar.
  3. Activate the desired page to close the Navigation screen. The playing position moves to the selected page.
Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad. Navigate by page tab activated for The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier.
Figure 42: Navigate by page screen on an iPad

*Note for VoiceOver users: When navigating the toolbar, if page navigation is not available, then VoiceOver says “Page dimmed button” or shows “Page dmd btn” in braille. *

These instructions are for accessing bookmarks within Navigation. For detailed information to insert, go to, and remove bookmarks, read Section 6.7: Bookmark.

To go to a Bookmark for the current title while in Navigation:

  1. Make sure Bookmark is selected on the toolbar. The bookmarks appears below the toolbar. (This includes Beginning of book, any previously added Bookmarks, and End of book.)
  2. Activate the desired bookmark to close the Navigation screen. The reading position moves to the selected bookmark.
Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad. Navigate by bookmark tab activated for The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier.
Figure 43: Navigate by bookmark screen on an iPad

6.4: Title Information

Below the Title bar is the title information, which includes the following:

  1. Title of the current section, part, chapter, article, recipe, etc.
  2. Author
  3. Narrator
  4. Book number

6.5: Reading Time and Current Position

Reading time provides the time elapsed and the total amount of time for the audio title.

Below the reading time is the current position slider. This is used to adjust the position within the title.

Adjust the slider to the left to move the reading position toward the beginning of the title or to the right to move the reading position toward the end of the title.

*Note for VoiceOver users: To adjust the current position slider:

  1. Navigate to the current position slider.
  2. Advance the current position by ten percent with a one finger flick up. Go back by ten percent with a one finger flick down.
  3. Alternatively, perform a one finger double tap and hold, and then slowly move that finger to move by smaller increments. Release the finger when finished.
  4. When satisfied with the current position, navigate to another item to avoid accidentally making additional adjustments. *

6.6: Sleep Timer

The Sleep timer button is used to automatically stop audio playback after a specific amount of time or at the end of a navigation point.

6.6.1: Available Options with the Sleep Timer

  1. 15 minutes
  2. 30 minutes
  3. 45 minutes
  4. 60 minutes
  5. End of navigation point (section, part, chapter, article, recipe, etc.)
  6. Off

6.6.2: Working with the Sleep Timer Button

  1. Activating the sleep timer once sets it for 15 minutes. (If the title was not playing before activating the sleep timer, this starts the audio.)
  2. Activating the sleep timer repeatedly in quick succession cycles through the available options.

*Note for VoiceOver users: While on the Sleep timer button, perform a one finger double tap to set the sleep timer to 15 minutes. Perform additional one finger double taps in quick succession to cycle through the additional options.

Activating the Sleep timer button outside the allotted amount of time results in VoiceOver saying “sleep timer” with the name of the current option, for example, “Sleep timer 15 minutes.” If VoiceOver users hear “sleep timer” before hearing the amount of time, it is possible that they did not activate the Sleep timer button within the allotted amount of time to cycle through the options. *

6.6.3: Stopping the Sleep Timer

Activate the Play/Stop button to stop the sleep timer as well as the audio playback.

The sleep timer can also be stopped by activating the Sleep timer button repeatedly in quick succession to eventually land on the off option.

*Note for VoiceOver users: Quickly activate the Play/Stop button by performing a two finger double tap. This gesture can be performed without the need to first locate the Play/Stop button. *

6.7: Bookmark

A bookmark is used to remember reading positions to read at a later time, such as an interesting passage or a recipe. Each title has its own bookmarks, and BARD Mobile remembers bookmarks even if the user closes the app.

6.7.1: Inserting Bookmarks

Selecting the Bookmark button inserts a bookmark at the current reading position.

6.7.2: Going to a Previously Added Bookmark

There are two methods to go to a previously added bookmark.

Method one:

  1. From the Now Reading screen, activate the Jump by menu button. Continue activating the Jump by menu button until the Jump by Bookmark option is chosen.
  2. Activate the Previous button to go to the previous bookmark and the Next button to go to the next bookmark.

Method two:

  1. From the Now Reading screen, activate the Navigation button (located on the top right).
  2. Activate the Bookmark button (located on the right side of the toolbar near the top). Added bookmarks are listed below the toolbar.
  3. Activate the desired bookmark. (This exits the Navigation screen and moves the reading position to the bookmarked location).

6.7.3: Removing Bookmarks

To remove a bookmark while reading a book, go to the desired bookmark using one of the above two methods and then select the Bookmark button.

6.8: Jump by Various Navigation Points

Below the Sleep timer and Bookmark buttons are three buttons to allow users to go to various navigation points. These buttons appear in the following order from left to right:

  1. Previous
  2. Jump by menu
  3. Next

The Jump by menu button is described first because it affects the behavior of the Previous and Next buttons.

6.8.1: Jump by Menu

The Jump by Menu button is located between the Previous and Next buttons. Activating the Jump by menu cycles through and selects the different types of navigation. Some possible examples include parts, chapters, sections, recipes, and bookmarks. Once the user locates the desired navigation, use the Previous and Next buttons to move to the previous and next navigation.

6.8.2: Previous and Next

Located to the left of the Jump by menu button is the Previous button, and to the right of the Jump by menu button is the Next button.

Once the user locates the desired navigation with the Jump by menu button:

  1. Activate the Previous or Next buttons to go back or forward by one item.
  2. Press and hold the Previous and Next buttons to quickly go back and forward by five navigation points, with the exception of pages which is ten at a time.

*Note for VoiceOver users: To go back or forward one navigation point at a time, do a one finger double tap while on the Previous or Next buttons.

To quickly go back or forward five navigation points or ten pages, do a one finger double tap and hold while on the Previous or Next buttons. *

When working with the Previous and Next buttons to go back or forward through items, if the audio title is not playing, the book narrator reads the heading of the new item selected. Activate the Play/Stop button to resume audio playback. If audio is already playing, playback automatically starts from the new location.

6.9: Primary Player Controls

Below the Previous, Jump by menu, and Next buttons are three buttons for primary player controls. These buttons appear in the following order from left to right:

  1. Rewind
  2. Play/Stop
  3. Fast forward

The Play/Stop button is described first because the Play/Stop button affects the behavior of the Rewind and Fast forward buttons.

6.9.1: Play/Stop

The Play/Stop button is located between the Rewind and Fast forward buttons. Activate the button to either start or stop playing a title.

*Note for VoiceOver users: Quickly activate the Play/Stop button by performing a two finger double tap. This gesture can be performed without the need to first locate the Play/Stop button.

If Background Playback is on and an audio title is opened in the Now Reading tab, users can also use the two finger double tap gesture to play or stop the audio even when away from the BARD Mobile app. This includes going to the home screen. For more information about Background playback, go to Section 5.4.3: Background Playback.

The two finger double tap gesture to play or stop the audio is a standard Apple feature. Using it to play audio for BARD Mobile only works if the most recently playing audio is with BARD Mobile. *

6.9.2: Rewind and Fast Forward

Located to the left of the Play/Stop button is the Rewind button, and to the right of the Play/Stop button is the Fast forward button. They are used to move the reading position backwards and forward by a specific amount of time.

  1. Activate the Rewind or Fast forward buttons to go back or forward by five seconds.
  2. Press and hold the Rewind or Fast forward buttons to go back or forward by larger amounts of time. Release on the desired spoken amount (20 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.).

Beeps during Rewind and Fast forward indicate the user passed a navigation point.

When working with the Rewind and Fast forward buttons, if the audio title is not playing, audio playback does not resume automatically. Activate the Play/Stop button to resume audio playback. If audio is already playing, playback starts from the new location.

*Note for VoiceOver users: To go back or forward five seconds at a time, perform a one finger double tap while on the Rewind or Fast forward buttons.

To Rewind or Fast forward by larger amounts of time, perform a one finger double tap and hold while on the Rewind or Fast forward buttons. Release on the desired spoken amount (20 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.). *

6.10: Speed and Tone

The last controls on the Now Reading screen are used to adjust the Speed and Tone for the current audio title and include:

  1. Speed and Tone button, a single button used to change the slider that appears to the right of the Speed and Tone button
  2. Speed or Tone slider (adjusts the Speed or Tone for the current audio title)
Screenshot of the Now Reading screen on iPad with Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier loaded in the reading position. Speed adjustment slider at the bottom.
Figure 44: Speed slider on an iPad
Screenshot of the Now Reading screen on iPad with Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier loaded in the reading position. Tone adjustment slider at the bottom.
Figure 45: Tone slider on an iPad

These controls are used to adjust the speed and tone for the current audio title. You can change the global speed and tone under Audio settings in the Settings tab. For more information, go to Sections 5.4: Audio Settings, 5.4.1: Speed, and 5.4.2: Tone.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When focus is on the Speed/Tone button, VoiceOver says the currently chosen function, for example, “Speed button” or “Tone button.” The slider located to the right of the Speed/Tone button is used to adjust the speed or tone, depending on which function is selected. *

6.10.1: Adjusting the Speed

Speed determines how fast or slow the narration is. The default speed is at 100 percent and is adjusted by a slider. To adjust the speed of the current audio title:

  1. Go to the Speed and Tone button.
  2. If it is set to Speed, ignore the next step.
  3. If it is set to Tone, activate it to change it to Speed.
  4. Navigate to the Speed slider.
  5. Users not using VoiceOver can adjust the slider to the left to decrease the speed or to the right to increase the speed.

*Note for VoiceOver users: When on the slider for speed, adjust the speed by performing a one finger flick up to increase the speed by 25 percent and one finger flick down to decrease the speed by 25 percent.

Alternatively, perform a one finger double tap and hold, and then slowly move that finger to move by smaller increments. Release the finger when finished. *

6.10.2: Adjusting the Tone

Tone determines the level of bass or treble in the reading voice. The default tone is zero and can be adjusted by the slider. Increasing the tone adds more treble and decreasing the tone adds more bass while reading audio content. To adjust the tone of the current audio title:

  1. Go to the Speed / Tone button.
  2. If it is set to Speed, activate it to change it to Tone.
  3. If it is set to Tone, navigate to the Tone slider.
  4. Users not using VoiceOver can adjust the slider to the left to add bass or to the right to add treble.

*Note for VoiceOver users. When on the slider for tone, adjust the tone by performing a one finger flick up to increase the tone (add treble) by 1 increment and one finger flick down to decrease the tone (add bass) by 1 increment. *

6.11: Using Siri to Control Audio

Introduced in BARD Mobile 2.2.2, BARD Mobile has Siri commands to allow the user to verbally activate many Now Reading audio controls.

Each Siri command needs to be added before it can be used, and they are not added by default. To add and manage Siri commands, read Section 5.7: Siri Settings.

6.11.1: Calling Siri

Siri first needs to be configured in the settings of the iPhone or iPad. Once configured, call Siri using the following methods:

  1. Say “Hey Siri.”
  2. If your device has a home button, press and hold it.
  3. If your device doesn’t have a home button, press and hold the power button.

6.11.2: Available Siri Commands

Once commands are added and Siri is configured, you can call Siri and speak the following commands (assuming you did not change the phrases to activate the associated commands):

  1. “Start playing”
  2. “Stop playing”
  3. “Sleep timer,” an interactive shortcut. (Siri provides available sleep timer options, requiring the user to choose one.)
  4. “Sleep timer 15”
  5. “Sleep timer 30”
  6. “Sleep timer 45”
  7. “Sleep timer 60”
  8. “Sleep chapter”
  9. “Next chapter”
  10. “Previous chapter”
  11. “Jump,” an interactive shortcut. (Siri provides available time options, requiring the user to choose one.)
  12. “Jump 20 seconds”
  13. “Jump back,” an interactive shortcut. (Siri provides available time options, requiring the user to choose one.)
  14. “Jump back 20 seconds”
  15. “Bookmark”

The numbers after the words “Sleep timer” represent minutes. For example, “Sleep timer 15” tells Siri to set a sleep timer for 15 minutes.

For the “Sleep timer,” “Jump” and “Jump back” interactive shortcuts, Siri lists available options and requires the user to respond before taking the action.

6.11.3: Siri Commands That Work Without Unlocking Device

The previously listed commands require the user to unlock their device with the passcode, touch ID, or face ID before they work. There are two additional Siri commands that work without the need to unlock the device. These are standard device commands and not Siri commands provided by BARD Mobile:

  1. “Stop playback”
  2. “Start playback”

Section 7: Reading Braille Titles

The Now Reading tab, located on the bottom right, is used to read audio and braille titles that are downloaded onto the device. The information in the main content area of the Now Reading tab is different when an audio or braille title is opened. Section 7 provides information about working with braille titles in the Now Reading tab. For information about the Now Reading tab when an audio title is opened, go to Section 6: Now Reading.

7.1: Accessing the Now Reading Tab

The Now Reading tab cannot be activated without first opening an audio or braille book or magazine. To open a title, locate a book or magazine from the Bookshelf or download a title from Get Books, then activate the Read button, automatically moving the user to the Now Reading tab.

If a title is already opened and the user explores another tab, they can return to the Now Reading tab to access controls for the currently opened title by doing the following:

  1. Locate the tab bar on the bottom of the screen.
  2. Find Now Reading, which is the last of four tabs, on the bottom right.
  3. If it is not selected, activate the Now Reading tab to select it. The main screen of Now Reading will appear on the content area above the tab bar.

7.2: Requirements for Reading Braille Titles for BARD Mobile

  1. While braille titles are downloaded to the BARD Mobile app on the iPhone or iPad, a connected refreshable braille display is required to read them. (The process of connecting a Braille display can be different and specific to the device. Refer to the braille display’s user guide for connection instructions.)
  2. VoiceOver must be enabled for a braille display to work with an iPhone or iPad. All instructions for Section 7 assume that VoiceOver is running.
  3. When navigating braille content, VoiceOver does not speak the content correctly, because BARD Mobile does not translate braille files into visually readable, fully spelled-out text. To avoid listening to incomprehensible speech, users should turn off speech (not VoiceOver) and read the braille content with the braille display. Toggle speech on and off by performing a three finger double tap gesture or type m with space (Dots 1-3-4 with space) with the braille display.
  4. To read any braille book or magazine with BARD Mobile, set braille input and output to eight-dot.

7.2.1: Setting Braile Input and Output to Eight-Dot

Braille titles are translated before they are available for BARD. Since titles are translated in different formats and grades, to read braille titles with BARD Mobile users must set braille input and output to eight-dot. This prevents the content from being translated again and allows the user to read it in the title’s original translation.

There are two methods to change braille input and output:

Method one: Using braille commands with the connected braille display from anywhere:

  1. Change braille input: dots 2-3-6-spacebar (repeat this command until it is set to eight- dot).
  2. Change braille output: dots 1-2-4-5-spacebar (repeat this command until it is set to eight-dot).

Method two: Using the Settings app of the iPhone or iPad:

  1. From the iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
  2. from the main screen of Settings, activate Accessibility.
  3. While in Accessibility, activate VoiceOver to open the VoiceOver settings.
  4. Activate Braille to open the braille settings.
  5. From the braille settings, navigate to Output.
  6. If Output is already set to eight-dot, then skip to step 10.
  7. If Output is set to anything else, activate Output.
  8. Activate “Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille”.
  9. Activate the back button on the top left to go back to the main braille settings screen.
  10. From Braille settings, navigate to Input.
  11. If Input is already set to eight-dot, then nothing further is needed.
  12. If Input is set to anything else, activate Input.
  13. Activate “Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille”.

7.2.2: Turn off Navigation Quick Keys to Use Shortcut Keys

BARD Mobile has shortcut keys that are usable from any point on the Now Reading screen when a braille book or magazine is displayed. To use these shortcut keys, turn off single letter quick nav. This is toggled with q with dot 7 and space, (Dots 1-2-3-4-5-7 with space). Repeat the command until it is set to off.

7.3: Quick Start: Braille Shortcut Keys

This provides a quick reference list of shortcut keys that can be used while reading a braille title. For more detailed orientation and information about various features of the Now Reading tab with braille titles, start with Section 7.4: Orientation for Now Reading Screen.

Listed below are shortcut keys that can be used from a braille display that includes a braille or Bluetooth keyboard. They are usable from any point on the Now Reading screen when a braille book or magazine is displayed.

The commands are presented in the following order:

  1. Name/purpose of command. Each new command starts with a bullet to the left of the name/purpose.
  2. The shortcut key that has to be typed, which can be a letter or symbol. If the shortcut key needs the feature turned on from BARD Mobile’s settings before it will work, an asterisk appears to the left of the shortcut.
  3. The braille dots that represent the shortcut key, which appear after the shortcut in parenthesis).
  4. Summary of the command
  • Menu (Navigation points) m (Dots 1-3-4) Cycles through the options available on the Jump by menu, such as search keyword, line, volume, page, and bookmark. The first press of the menu key reports the current setting. Subsequent presses cycle through the available options.
  • Previous navigation p or ‘ (Dots 1-2-3-4 or dot 3) Moves to the previous instance of the currently selected navigation point. For example, if Navigation is set to page, then this shortcut moves to the previous page.
  • Next navigation n or , (Dots 1-3-4-5 or dot 6) Moves to the next instance of the currently selected navigation point. For example, if Navigation is set to page, then this shortcut moves to the next page.
  • Volume Navigation v (Dots 1-2-3-6) Moves to the Navigation screen with Volume selected. The user is no longer on the Now Reading screen and shortcuts do not work until the user returns to Now Reading.
  • Page Navigation a (Dot 1) Moves to the Navigation screen with the Page selected. The user is no longer on the Now Reading screen and shortcuts do not work until the user returns to Now Reading.
  • Bookmark Navigation k (Dots 1-3) Moves to the Navigation screen with the Bookmark selected. The user is no longer on the Now Reading screen and shortcuts do not work until the user returns to Now Reading.
  • Where am I? w (Dots 2-4-5-6) Displays the current volume, page, and line number.
  • Search s (Dots 2-3-4) Moves to the search box. The edit box is ready for braille entry and the braille keyboard is used for typing the search term instead of shortcuts. Type the search keyword(s) exactly as it appears in the book. The only exception to this is when searching for a dots 4-5-6 character, type dots 4-5-6-7.
  • Bookmark b (Dots 1-2) Activates the Bookmark button on the Now Reading screen to add or remove bookmarks.
  • Reading area r (Dots 1-2-3-5) Moves to the reading area showing the current line of the braille book.
  • Last Reading Position l (Dots 1-2-3) Moves the focus to the “stored last” reading position.
  • Skips to next non- blank line t (Dots 2-3-4-5) Moves to the next line with content.
  • Toggle braille reflow on and off *d (Dots 1-4-5) Toggles the reflowing of the braille text on and off. The default is 40 cells. To reflow to a display length shorter than 40 cells, the desired length must be configured in settings.
  • Toggle braille autoscroll on and off */ (Dots 3-4) Toggles the automatic scrolling of the braille text on and off. The default is off. To activate this feature, turn braille autoscroll on in settings.
  • Increase braille autoscroll speed *+ (Dots 3-4-6) This key sequence increases the braille autoscroll speed. Note that autoscroll must first be activated in the settings. Changes made to braille autoscroll is not saved for each title when the app is closed.
  • Decrease braille autoscroll speed *- (Dots 3-6) Decrease the braille autoscroll speed. Note that autoscroll must first be activated in the settings. Changes made to braille autoscroll for each title is not saved when the app is closed.

7.4: Orientation for Now Reading Screen

When the Now Reading tab is selected, and a braille title is opened, the main screen for Now Reading can be divided into three distinct sections:

  1. The section above the reading area (includes the title bar and search tool bar)
  2. The reading area itself (includes the current title)
  3. The section below the reading area (includes the status and reading controls)

Since there are many features within the three sections, a more in-depth orientation of the Now Reading screen follows:

  1. Title bar (includes recently read titles, current book title, and navigation)
  2. Search toolbar (used to search the current braille title)
  3. The reading area itself (shows the content of the current title)
  4. Book status information (includes volume number, page number, and line number)
  5. Title information (includes author and book number)
  6. Bookmark
  7. Jump by various navigation points (includes Previous, the Jump by menu, and Next)
  8. Scroll/Stop button and Autoscroll time per character slider (when braille autoscroll is enabled)
Screenshot of the Now Reading screen with A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean in the reading position.
Figure 46: Now Reading braille screen on an iPad

7.5: Title Bar

At the top of the Now Reading screen is the title bar. It displays the following items:

  1. Recently read button on the top left.
  2. Title of the current book
  3. Navigation button on the top right (provides an additional way to navigate through the book by volumes, pages, and bookmarks)

7.5.1: Recently Read

Recently read allows users to view and continue reading recently read audio and braille titles on the iPhone or iPad. If a recently read title is deleted, it will not be included.

7.5.1.1: View Recently Read

There are two methods to view Recently read:

Method one: From the Now Reading screen, activate the Recently read button on the top left.

Method two: From the Now Reading screen, perform a three finger flick left. (This must be done when focused above or below the braille content.)

7.5.1.2: Working With Recently Read

Recently read opens in a new screen for iPhones and a pop-up for iPads.

Recently read lists titles with the most recent on top. Each item includes the title and audio or braile icon to identify the format.

To exit Recently read without choosing another title:

  1. Activate the back button on the top left when using an iPhone.
  2. Activate the dismiss popup button on the bottom left when using an iPad.
  3. Both iPhone and iPad users can also activate the first title, which is the current title.
Screenshot of the Recently Read screen on iPhone.
Figure 47: Recently Read screen on an iPhone
Screenshot of the Recently Read screen on iPad.
Figure 48: Recently read screen on an iPad

To access the Navigation screen, activate the Navigation button on the top right corner of the Now Reading screen. (The iPad Navigation screen is displayed as a pop-up.)

The Navigation screen provides users an alternate way to navigate through the contents of the current title.

7.5.2.1: Orientation for the Navigation screen
  1. Back button on the top left (iPhone only, used to return to previous screen)
  2. Dismiss pop-up on the top left (iPad only, used to return to previous screen)
  3. Heading that says “Navigation”
  4. Toolbar to determine the items that appear below the toolbar (includes Volume, Page, and Bookmark; Page is selected by default)
  5. List of items determined by the toolbar
Screenshot of the Navigation screen on iPhone. Navigate by volume tab activated for A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean.
Figure 49: Navigation screen for an iPhone
Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad. Navigate by volume tab activated for A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean.
Figure 50: Navigation screen on an iPad

To navigate to another volume for the current title while in Navigation:

  1. Make sure Volume is selected on the toolbar.
  2. The volumes appear below the toolbar.
  3. Activate the volume of interest to close the Navigation screen, and the reading position moves to the selected volume.

Alternatively, while in Now Reading, type v to open navigation with volume selected.

Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad. Navigate by volume tab activated for A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean.
Figure 51: Navigate by Volume screen on an iPad
7.5.2.3: Navigating by Page

To go to a specific page for the current title while in Navigation:

  1. When Navigation is first opened, Page is selected by default
  2. Activate the page of interest to close the Navigation screen, and the reading position moves to the selected page

Alternatively, while in Now Reading, type a to open navigation with page selected.

Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad. Navigate by page tab activated for A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean.
Figure 52: Navigate by page screen on an iPad

These instructions are for accessing bookmarks within Navigation. For detailed information to insert, go to, and remove bookmarks, go to Section 7.8: Bookmark.

To go to a bookmark for the current title while in Navigation:

  1. Select Bookmark on the toolbar.
  2. The bookmarks appear below the toolbar. (This includes Beginning of Book, any previously added bookmarks, and End of book.)
  3. Activate the bookmark of interest to close the Navigation screen. The reading position moves to the selected bookmark.

Alternatively, while in Now Reading, type k to open Navigation with Bookmark selected.

Screenshot of the Navigation pop-over screen on iPad. Navigate by bookmark tab activated for A dog called Homeless by Sarah Lean.
Figure 53: Navigate by Bookmark screen on an iPad

7.6: Search Bar

Below the title bar is the search bar. By default, the search bar includes the search edit field.

7.6.1: Searching within a Braille Title

Activating the search edit field or typing the s shortcut key puts the user into edit mode. Once in edit mode, the clear text button (if something is typed in the search edit field), go button and cancel button appear to the right of the search field.

Type the search keyword(s) exactly as it appears in the book. The only exception to this is when searching for a dots 4-5-6 character, type dots 4-5-6-7.

After typing the keyword(s), press enter (dot 8) along with space, or navigate to and activate the go button. The reading position moves to the line of the book matching the search.

If the search keyword(s) cannot be found, an ascending tone plays, and the words “no match” appear on the braille display.

7.6.2: Search Previous and Next

After successfully performing a search, search for the previous occurrence of the same search keyword(s) by activating the Previous button or typing p, and the next occurrence by activating the Next button or typing n. If the Jump by menu was changed to another navigation point, then it is necessary to first activate the Jump by menu button or type m to get to “jump by search keyword” before activating Previous or Next. For more information about the Jump by menu, go to Section 7.8: Jump by Various Navigation Points.

7.7: Bookmark

Below the reading area is the Book Status information such as volume number, page number, and line number. Users can read this information on the braille display at any time by typing w. Below the status information and to the right is the Bookmark button.

A Bookmark is used to remember reading positions to read at a later time. For example, an interesting passage, or a recipe. Each title has its own bookmarks, and BARD Mobile remembers Bookmarks even if the user closes the app.

The Bookmark button is used to insert and remove bookmarks. To activate it from the braille display, type b.

7.7.1: Inserting Bookmarks

Selecting the Bookmark button inserts a bookmark at the current reading position.

7.7.2: Going to A Previously Added Bookmark

There are two methods to go to a previously added bookmark.

Method one:

  1. From the Now Reading screen, type m or activate the Jump by menu button until the jump by Bookmark option is chosen.
  2. Type p or dot 3, or activate the Previous button, to go to the previous bookmark. Type n or dot 6, or activate the Next button, to go to the next bookmark.

Method two:

  1. From the Now Reading screen, type k to open the Bookmark navigation screen or activate the Navigation button (located on the top right) and then activate the Bookmark button (located on the right side of the toolbar near the top).
  2. All bookmarks are listed below the toolbar.
  3. Activate the desired bookmark. This exits the navigation screen and moves the reading position to the bookmarked location.

7.7.3: Removing Bookmarks

To remove a bookmark while reading a book, go to the desired bookmark using one of the above two methods and then type b or activate the Bookmark button.

7.8: Jump by Various Navigation Points

Below the Bookmark button are three buttons to allow users to go to various navigation points. These buttons appear in the following order from left to right:

  1. Previous
  2. Jump by menu
  3. Next

The Jump by menu button is described first because it affects the behavior of the Previous and Next buttons.

7.8.1: Jump by Menu

The Jump by Menu button is located between the Previous and Next buttons. Activating the Jump by menu or typing m cycles through and selects the different types of navigation. Some possible examples include page, volume, bookmark, search keyword, and line. Once the user locates the desired navigation, type p or dot 3, or n or dot 6, or use the Previous and Next buttons to move to the previous and next navigation points.

7.8.2: Previous and Next

Located to the left of the Jump by menu button is the Previous button, and to the right of the Jump by menu button is the Next button.

Once you locate the desired navigation by typing m or with the Jump by menu button, type p or dot 3, or activate the Previous button, to go to the previous navigation point. Type n or dot 6, or activate the Next button, to go to the next navigation point.

7.9: Braille Reflow

Braille reflow allows BARD Mobile to tailor line lengths to match your braille display size, breaking lines only when necessary (e.g., at the ends of paragraphs), to provide a smoother reading experience.

Braille reflow is off by default. To use Braille reflow, it must be turned on in Braille and Display settings under Settings. Once turned on, select the desired display length using the picker item.

The shortcut key d toggles Braille reflow on and off. When turned on, text reflows to the value selected in Settings. If no value is selected in Settings, typing d sets braille reflow to the default setting of 40 cells.

When Braille reflow is active, paragraphs are indented as usual, page numbers are correctly positioned, and other items, such as lists of ingredients in a recipe, are properly formatted. Braille reflow is an automatic process. Therefore, there may be occasional instances when the reflow is incorrect.

7.10: Braille Autoscroll

Autoscroll allows the user to read a braille book with minimal hand movement. When Braille autoscroll is activated, the braille display advances automatically. A fixed amount of time is set for the display of each line, and an additional small amount of time is set for the display of each character on a line so the app displays short lines for a shorter time than longer lines.

Users can start and stop autoscrolling with the / (slash, dots 3-4) key and increase/decrease the rate at which the display advances with the + (plus, dots 3-4-6) and – (minus, dots 3-6) keys respectively. Each press of the (+) or (-) keys changes the autoscroll Time per Character value by 5 milliseconds and has no effect on the autoscroll Time per Line value.

The speed can be changed while autoscrolling is active or inactive but not while it is disabled.

When Braille autoscroll is enabled, an additional button appears on the Now Reading screen, labeled "Scroll" and "Stop." Activating this button begins automatic scrolling, and activating it again stops autoscrolling. This behavior is analogous to starting and stopping audio playback when reading an audiobook.

When Braille autoscroll is enabled, the speed slider also appears. Adjusting this slider varies the autoscroll Time per Character setting. Users can adjust both the time per line and the time per character from the Braille and Display settings screen. These values can only be adjusted if autoscroll is on.

Note that changing autoscroll speed with the plus and minus buttons only changes it until the user switches to a new book or removes BARD Mobile from the app switcher and restarts it. Use the controls on the Settings screen for the changes to be permanent.

Section 8: Tips and Hints

8.1: VoiceOver Tips

All Tips under 8.1 provide instructions with the assumption that VoiceOver is enabled.

8.1.1: Audio Titles

The below tips assume the user is in the Now Reading tab with an opened audio title, because they are related to playing audio:

8.1.1.1: Gesture to Quickly Start and Stop Playback

Within an open book, audio playback can be started and/or stopped with a two-finger double tap anywhere in the app. This will also start and stop playback outside of the app if BARD Mobile is the current source of audio playback.

8.1.1.2: Rewind and Fast Forward

To rewind or fast forward 5 seconds at a time, Double tap the Rewind or Fast forward buttons. To quickly move by a larger amount of time, double tap and hold the Rewind or Fast forward buttons, then release on the desired spoken amount (20 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.).

8.1.1.3: Adjust Current Reading Position

When focused on the current position slider, adjust the current reading position by 10 percent with a one finger flick up or down. A finer adjustment can be achieved by performing a one finger double tap and hold, and then sliding left or right. Release when on the desired percentage.

8.1.1.4: Adjust Reading Speed

When focused on the Speed slider, adjust the current reading speed by 25 percent with a one finger flick up or down. A finer adjustment can be achieved by performing a one finger double tap and hold, and then sliding left or right. Release when on the desired percentage. The Speed slider can be found in the Now Reading tab when an audio title is opened to adjust the reading speed for that title. The Speed slider can also be found in the Settings tab, then Audio settings, to adjust the global playback speed.

8.1.1.5: Sleep Timer

While on the Sleep timer button, perform a one finger double tap to set the sleep timer to 15 minutes. Perform additional one finger double taps in quick succession to cycle through and select the additional options. For users who have difficulty performing additional one finger double taps within the allotted amount of time, consider using the split tap method. (Locate and place one finger on the Sleep timer button, then use a second finger to tap once to activate the Sleep timer button. Continue using the second finger to tap to get to the desired option, then release the first finger from the Sleep timer button.)

8.1.1.6: Working With the Contents

When in the Navigation screen for an audio book, and Contents is selected, if a navigation item can be expanded to show more items, VoiceOver both verbalizes and shows in braille “plus” in front of the item name. If a navigation item is already expanded showing more items below that item, VoiceOver both verbalizes and shows in braille “minus” in front of the item name.

8.1.2: Braille Titles

8.1.2.1: Using Braille Commands for BARD Mobile

If users are having problems with typing the shortcut keys provided in Section 7.4: Quick Start: Braille Shortcut Keys, consider the following:

  1. Go to Section 7.2: Requirements for Reading Braille titles for BARD Mobile to confirm those requirements are satisfied.
  2. If that still does not resolve the problem, then confirm that single-letter Quick Nav is off.
  3. Toggle single-letter Quick Nav with Braille: dots 1-2-3-4-5-7.
  4. Toggle single-letter Quick Nav with a QWERTY keyboard: control+option+q.
  5. Repeat the command until it is set to off.
8.1.2.2: Using VoiceOver Activities to Apply Braille Settings

Activities allows the user to associate a set of VoiceOver settings with a particular app or context within an app. Creating a VoiceOver activity can be a useful way to ensure the user has the braille settings necessary for the proper display of braille books and magazines in BARD Mobile.

There are three VoiceOver settings that are necessary to read braille in BARD Mobile. To create an activity that includes these settings, do the following:

  1. Go to Settings>Accessibility>VoiceOver>Activities.
  2. Double tap Add Activity.
  3. The Add Activity screen has one text field at the top followed by many buttons and switches that are grouped into five headings.
  4. The text field is Name. The word "Activity" followed by a number will already be in the edit box. It is possible to accept that or edit it.
  5. In Verbosity settings, double tap on Punctuation. This will bring up a new screen with four options. They are Default, All, Some, and None. Double tap on Some. VoiceOver will say, "Selected, Some."
  6. Double tap on the back button in the upper left corner of the screen.
  7. In the Braille settings section, double tap on Braille Output. This will bring up a screen with three options. They are: Uncontracted Six-dot Braille, Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille, and Contracted Braille. Double tap on Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille. VoiceOver will say, "Selected, Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille."
  8. Double tap on the back button in the upper left corner of the screen.
  9. In the same section, double tap on Braille Input. This will bring up a screen with three options. They are: Uncontracted Six-dot Braille, Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille, and Contracted Braille. Double tap on Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille. VoiceOver will say, "Selected, Uncontracted Eight-dot Braille."
  10. Double tap on the back button in the upper left corner of the screen.
  11. In the Automatic Switching section, double tap the Apps button. A list of all the apps installed on the iPhone or iPad will appear. Navigate to BARD Mobile and double tap it. VoiceOver will say, "Selected, BARD Mobile." On this screen, it is possible to select more than one app to have these settings applied.
  12. When finished selecting apps, double tap on the back button in the upper left corner of the screen.
  13. Double tap on the Add Activity back button in the upper left corner of the screen.
  14. The new activity should now be listed on the Activities screen.
8.1.2.3: Searching Within A Braille Title
  1. Type the s shortcut key to go into edit mode.
  2. Type the search keyword(s) exactly as it appears in the book. The only exception to this is, when searching for a dots 4-5-6 character, type dots 4-5-6-7.
  3. After typing the keyword(s), type enter with spacebar. The reading position moves to the line of the book matching the search.
  4. After successfully performing a search, search for the previous occurrence by typing p, and the next occurrence by typing n.
8.1.2.4: Reading .brf Files With BARD Mobile

Any braille file with a .brf file extension can be read by BARD Mobile. One way to bring the file into the app is through Dropbox. Dropbox is a popular third-party file-sharing application that can be used to side load titles on BARD Mobile. The following instructions for using these applications have been included here as a courtesy to BARD Mobile users. This inclusion does not imply that these applications are supported or endorsed by NLS:

  1. On a Windows or Mac computer, put each .brf file you want to import into a Dropbox folder. This currently only works with unzipped individual .brf files.
  2. Open BARD Mobile on the iPhone or iPad if it isn’t already opened.
  3. From the same iPhone or iPad, open Dropbox and find the folder containing the .brf file(s).
  4. Open the desired .brf file to import.
  5. Activate the Share button in the lower right corner of the screen.
  6. Choose Export a copy.
  7. Activate the Export button.
  8. From the available onscreen options, select the More button.
  9. A list of apps the device recognizes as being able to accept the file will open. Choose BARD Mobile.
  10. The file will be brought into BARD Mobile. Focus will automatically move to the BARD Mobile app, in the Now Reading screen, with the file opened.

8.2: General Tips

8.2.1: When Navigating a Large List

A quick way to navigate a large list of books is to use the index located along the right side of the screen. For screens that have an index, tap the far-right side of the screen.

The table is adjustable by flicking either up or down one letter at a time. Slide up or down to move quickly through the sections.

8.2.2: Downloading Titles

To quickly pause downloading, select the name of the title.

8.2.3: Undo Previous or Next Navigation

While playing an audio title, if you unintentionally move forward or backward by selecting the Next or Previous button, it is possible to “undo” this action and return to the original place. To do this, select the button of the opposite action within 5 seconds. For example, if you are reading Chapter 4, and accidentally select the Next button and jump to Chapter 5, within 5 seconds select the Previous button to return to the previous location within Chapter 4.

8.2.4: Adjusting the Font Size

To adjust the font size:

  1. Open the device settings.
  2. Select Display & Brightness.
  3. Then select Text Size.
  4. Use the slider to increase or decrease to a size between 0 and 100 percent.

Larger sizes are available in Accessibility settings:

  1. Open the device settings.
  2. Select Accessibility.
  3. Choose Display & Text Size
  4. Select Larger Text. Turn Larger Accessibility Sizes on and use the slider to increase or decrease the font size.

8.3: Side Loading Audio Books

Books that are stored on a computer can be side loaded onto BARD Mobile by using services that allow users to store files in the cloud and access them from a phone, computer, or the company website. To side load audio books, they must be zipped, with each book zipped as a separate file. Currently, this only works with audio books, not audio magazines. You can also side load .brf files, but the process is different. For that information, read Section 8.1.2.4: Reading BRF Files with BARD Mobile.

Dropbox and Airdrop are popular third-party file-sharing applications that can be used to side load titles on BARD Mobile. The following instructions for using these applications have been included here as a courtesy to BARD Mobile users. This inclusion does not imply that these applications are supported or endorsed by NLS.

8.3.1: Loading Books via Dropbox

  1. On a Windows or Mac computer, put each .zip audiobook file that you want to import into a Dropbox folder.
  2. Open BARD Mobile on the iPhone or iPad if it isn’t already open.
  3. From the same iPhone or iPad, open Dropbox on the mobile device and find the folder containing the .zip file.
  4. Open the desired .zip file to import.
  5. Activate the Share button in the lower right corner of the screen.
  6. Choose Export a copy.
  7. Activate the Export button.
  8. From the available onscreen options, select the More button.
  9. A list of apps that the device recognizes as being able to accept the file will open. Choose BARD Mobile.
  10. The book will be brought into BARD Mobile. Focus will automatically move to the BARD Mobile app, in the Now Reading screen, with the book opened.

8.3.2: Loading Books Via Airdrop from a Mac

Both the Mac and the iPhone or iPad must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before using the below instructions:

  1. Unlock the iPhone or iPad.
  2. Open BARD Mobile on the iPhone or iPad if it isn’t already open.
  3. From the Mac, locate the .zip file in Finder.
  4. Open the context menu.
    *Note for VoiceOver users: Press VO-Shift-M. *
  5. Choose Share and press Return.
  6. Choose AirDrop
    *Note for VoiceOver users: Tab to AirDrop and press Return. Focus goes to a table listing devices available for AirDrop. Press VO-Shift-Down Arrow to interact with the table. *
  7. The unlocked iPhone or iPad should appear. Select it.
    *Note for VoiceOver users: Press VO-Space to select it. *
  8. The file is copied to the iPhone or iPad and the Files app opens.
  9. From the Files app, select the Share button near the bottom of the screen.
  10. Select BARD Mobile. The Download Complete chime plays, and the BARD Mobile Now Reading screen opens to the imported book.

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