Arkansas Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

04/03/2026

It’s Library Month at Braille Institute! We’re celebrating as a reminder that reading belongs to everyone—and you can always find new ways to enjoy reading.

Vision loss doesn’t mean your connection to the books you love has to change. It just means discovering new ways to experience them.

Join us for a series of exciting author conversations and workshops all about how to make reading more accessible and enjoyable for you!

This month, we’ll be welcoming guests like Nita Prose, Lachi, the Braille and Talking Book Library, María Dueñas, and more.

Find the whole lineup of events and sign up here: https://www.brailleinstitute.org/library-month/

11/12/2025

Did you know that the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts offers tours to Blind and/or Low Vision patrons? On Thursday, November 13, at 2:00 PM you can drop in and discover AMFA with a docent-led tour through the galleries and a studio art activity with their instructors!

Led by trained docents, this program starts with a tour that offers an opportunity for guests with visual impairments to engage with the artwork through rich visual descriptions and in-depth discussions. Participants then create artwork based on themes observed during the tour.

This is a free program, but reservations are requested as space is limited. Here is the program registration link: https://events.arkmfa.org/event/art-together-for-guests-with-low-vision-or-who-are-blind-5/

Alternatively, guests can register by calling 501-372-4000 and speaking with Guest Services.

Drop in and discover AMFA with a docent-led tour through the galleries and a studio art activity with our instructors! Led by trained docents, this program starts with a tour […]

10/15/2024

In case you missed the Many Faces of BARD program last Thursday, here is a recording of the program featuring the "My Talking Books" skill for Alexa Smart Speakers. https://www.loc.gov/nls/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/October-2024-Many-Faces-of-BARD.mp3

Now NLS patrons can enjoy talking books on BARD using voice commands with their Alexa-enabled smart speakers! The topic for Thursday's (October 10) Many Faces of BARD program will be the NLS My Talking Books skill for Alexa smart speakers. The program will start with a discussion of the use of BARD on Alexa devices and will include a demonstration. After the presentation, we will entertain questions about the presentation or anything else relating to BARD. Want to join in? Visit www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/many-faces-of-BARD?loclr=fbnls.

[Image: Woman using a smart speaker to enjoy her talking book. iStock photo.]

10/08/2024

Call or email the Arkansas Library for the Blind and Print Disabled to inquire about library services for those with reading disabilities. 501-682-1155 or [email protected]

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month—and we want you to be aware of the resources NLS has available! People with dyslexia and other reading disabilities are eligible for service from NLS, which offers a vast library of audiobooks and magazines for immediate download to personal devices. Learn more about how NLS serves reading disabled patrons at www.loc.gov/nls/who-we-serve/reading-disabled?loclr=fbnls. And if you know one of the one in five Americans impacted by dyslexia, encourage them to sign up today.

[Image: A man listens to an audiobook on a smartphone using headphones. Text reads “October is Dyslexia Awareness Month.”]

09/25/2024

BARD Express Version 3.1.0.1 is now available for download. The update fixes a list of known bugs in the original release. Among others, navigation problems and the inability to copy downloaded materials to external media have been corrected. Everything you need to know about BARD Express, including the download link for the latest version, is available at https://www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile/welcome-to-bard-express/.

If you have been loving the new version of BARD Express with its built-in audio player, but have noticed it has a few small bugs, we have great news! BARD Express Version 3.1.0.1 is now available for download, and it fixes a whole list of known bugs in the original release. Among others, navigation problems and the inability to copy downloaded materials to external media have been corrected with this update. Everything you need to know about BARD Express, including the download link for the latest version, is here: https://www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile/welcome-to-bard-express/.

[Image: A screenshot from BARD Express with text reading BARD Express Version 3.1.0.1 is available now.]

09/17/2024

Be sure to check out our resources as well. We have a team ready to assist you with your library needs!

Beginning a new school year, students should have all the support they need to succeed. Did you know that NLS library services are available to anyone with dyslexia? NLS patrons with reading disabilities like dyslexia have free access to talking books, magazines and music appreciation and instructional materials, as well as services provided locally through NLS network libraries in every state. Find out more about eligibility and services at www.loc.gov/nls/who-we-serve/reading-disabled?loclr=fbnls or by calling 888-NLS-READ (888-657-7323) to be connected to your local NLS library. Also check out our Talking Books and Reading Disabilities information guide at www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/informational-publications/talking-books-reading-disabilities?loclr=fbnls.

[Image: A young patron listens to a talking book with the BARD Mobile app on her tablet.]

07/29/2024

Braille will be on the 2024 Paralympic medals in honor of Louis Braille, the French educator and inventor of Braille!

Here are a few titles about Louis Braille and the courageous lives of several Paralympians with varying disabilities. You can find them on BARD or email us at [email protected] to request the books via USPS.

DB 68015
Triumph Over Darkness: The Life of Louis Braille

DB 09596
Louis Braille: Windows for the Blind

DBC 15421
Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes

DB 119093
Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph

DB 86882
Fire in my Eyes: An American Warrior's Journey from Being Blinded on the Battlefield to Gold Medal Victory

DB 106815
Colors of the Wind: The Story of Blind Artist and Champion Runner George Mendoza

Who else is eagerly anticipating Paris?! We're so excited about the inclusion of braille on the Paralympic medals! These unique medals that celebrate the birthplace of braille even contain a piece of scrap iron from the Eiffel Tower, shaped like a hexagon and engraved with the Paris 2024 emblem. The front showcases a view of the Eiffel Tower from below, along with braille inscriptions and tactile line patterns for easy identification.
Image Credit:

07/25/2024

Check this out tonight at 6 p.m. central time!

Join us online this coming Thursday, July 25, at 7 p.m. eastern time for the final live event in the NLS Summer Reading Program: a conversation with Angeline Boulley, author of the New York Times bestsellers “Firekeeper’s Daughter (BR24040, DB102762)” and “Warrior Girl Unearthed (BR25116 in process, DB114761).” The conversation will be moderated by award-winning author Andrea L. Rogers. It’s free, but you need to register in advance at the NLS Summer Reading Program web page: www.loc.gov/nls/summerreading2024?loclr-fbnls. And while you’re there, check out the family-friendly Whispering Library Escape Room and the audio tour of the Library of Congress’s historic Thomas Jefferson Building!
[Image: Collage with photo of Angeline Boulley and the two books.]

07/01/2024

We will be closed Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

06/24/2024

Summer reading kicks off today at 3pm! Register for upcoming events at https://www.loc.gov/nls/summerreading2024.

TODAY at 3 p.m. join the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Summer Reading Kickoff Event! Pre-registration is required for this online event.

Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, will read "The Adventures of Marshmallow and Peter" by Peter Heath. Peter, a seven-year-old who loves the outdoors, goes on an incredible journey with his cane, Marshmallow.

Find details, including a link to register for today’s kickoff and other live events—at the NLS Summer Reading Program web page, www.loc.gov/nls/summerreading2024?loclr-fbnls.

06/12/2024

The NLS Summer Reading Program starts in two weeks! The kickoff event on June 24 at 3 p.m. features the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, reading “The Adventures of Marshmallow and Peter (BR25025, DBC30393),” a picture book written by an 8-year-old NLS patron. On July 25, Chippewa author Angeline Boulley will discuss her highly praised YA novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter (BR24040, DB102762)” and its follow-up, “Warrior Girl Unearthed (BR25116 in process, DB114761),” with award-winning author Andrea L. Rogers. All Summer Reading Program events will be held online, so anyone, anywhere, can join the fun – but you need to register in advance. Get a complete schedule and find out how to register on our Summer Reading Program web page: https://www.loc.gov/nls/summerreading2024.

[Image: A girl enjoys an audiobook on the NLS BARD Mobile app.]

05/06/2024

Mark your calendar for our next Many Faces of BARD online program, on Using the Siri Shortcuts for BARD. It’s this coming Thursday, May 9, starting at 6:00 p.m. central time. After a brief presentation, we’ll answer any questions you have about Siri shortcuts or BARD usage in general. Get the Zoom link on our website, at https://www.loc.gov/nls/news-and-updates/many-faces-of-bard — where you also can find audio archives of previous Many Faces of BARD programs.

[Image: A patron enjoys an NLS audiobook on a tablet using the BARD Mobile app.]