Maine State Library Outreach Services has launched an app for the “Braille and Talking-Book” program.

People who are registered with the program, which is administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), can use this app to download audio and braille books to their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. NLS is working on an app for Android devices.

The Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) mobile app is now available through the Apple App Store. The BARD app allows readers to download audio and braille books from their NLS BARD account to their mobile devices.

For more information about this app, go to: www.loc.gov/today/pr/2013/13-167.html

Talking Books is a federally-funded program which provides recorded books and special players free to persons who are blind, visually impaired, physically handicapped (cannot hold a book) or who have a doctor-certified reading disability.

This program is administered by the Maine State Library and funded by the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Maine State Library Outreach Services also arranges with the Perkins School for the Blind to have Braille library materials provided directly to eligible Maine residents without cost to users.

For more information about the Maine State Library Talking Books and Braille programs, visit www.maine.gov/msl/outreach/lbph/index.shtml.