The National Library Service will demonstrate updated preferences for its My Talking Books Alexa skill and answer patrons’ questions during a free online program on August 20.
A smart speaker can become much more than a timer, weather service, or music player. For eligible National Library Service patrons, an Alexa-enabled device can also provide voice-controlled access to English-language audiobooks from BARD.
On Thursday, August 20, 2026, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled will help listeners make better use of that experience. Its monthly Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker program will present Updated Preference Options in the My Talking Books Skill on Alexa: Part 2.
The online workshop is scheduled from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. NLS will present and demonstrate the updated preference options before opening the program to questions from participants.
For blind and low-vision audiobook listeners, this is more than a lesson about changing settings. It is an opportunity to learn how a large accessible audiobook collection can be searched, organized and heard through spoken commands, with less dependence on a phone screen or computer.
What Listeners Will Learn
The August workshop continues a preferences presentation that began earlier this summer. NLS has made the July 2026 Part 1 recording available as a downloadable MP3, allowing listeners to review the first session before attending Part 2.
The official announcement does not list every preference that will be demonstrated in August. However, the My Talking Books service supports several voice-controlled listening features, including:
- Searching for BARD audiobooks
- Hearing book descriptions
- Managing wish lists, book lists and bookshelves
- Creating and using bookmarks
- Reviewing streaming history
- Adjusting reading speed
- Setting book-specific volume
- Jumping forward or backward by time
- Using a sleep timer
- Changing preference settings
After the presentation, participants can ask questions about using My Talking Books on an Alexa-enabled smart speaker.
This human-instruction element is important. Voice interfaces can remove visual barriers, but they can also become frustrating when a listener does not know the correct command or cannot easily discover what choices are available. A spoken demonstration can make those commands easier to understand and remember.
What Is My Talking Books?
My Talking Books is an Amazon Alexa skill developed by NLS. It provides a voice-only interface for streaming English-language audiobooks from the Braille and Audio Reading Download service, better known as BARD.
BARD is part of the National Library Service, a free library program for people who are blind, have low vision, or have a physical, perceptual or reading disability that makes conventional print difficult to use.
Unlike a commercial audiobook subscription, NLS does not charge eligible patrons for its books or library service. Patrons must qualify for NLS service, enroll through a participating library and obtain a BARD account.
The Alexa skill is currently offered as an open beta. Eligible NLS patrons must complete the My Talking Books registration process before using it. NLS sends an email when access has been approved.
Patrons younger than 18 must also have a parent or legal guardian complete the required acknowledgment form.
Once access is established, listeners can begin by saying:
“Alexa, open My Talking Books.”
Account setup may still require interaction with the Alexa application or Amazon website. Patrons also need to complete an authentication process using a telephone number and a code delivered by text message, telephone call or email.
After setup, however, much of the actual book discovery and listening experience can be controlled by voice.
Why This Workshop Matters
Audiobooks are often described as naturally accessible, but access to the recording is only one part of the experience. Listeners must still be able to find a book, hear its description, start playback, return to their place and change listening settings without struggling through an inaccessible interface.
My Talking Books addresses many of those steps through conversation with Alexa.
A listener may be able to search for a title, add it to a bookshelf, begin streaming, adjust narration speed and set a sleep timer without navigating a conventional visual library screen. This can be especially useful for someone who is more comfortable with spoken commands than touchscreen gestures or computer menus.
The skill may also help people with disabilities that affect dexterity, stamina or the ability to hold and operate a device. It is not limited to people who are totally blind.
The August workshop also gives patrons a way to learn directly from NLS staff and ask questions based on their own listening experience. That combination of human instruction and voice-controlled access closely matches Web Radio Info’s belief that audio services become more valuable when someone helps listeners understand how to use them.
Audio Concierge Guide
New My Talking Books users should not feel that they need to master every available command immediately.
A practical starting point is to learn four basic actions:
- Open the My Talking Books skill.
- Search for a familiar author or title.
- Start and stop playback.
- Return to the same book later.
Once those actions feel comfortable, listeners can explore bookmarks, bookshelves, narration speed, volume preferences and the sleep timer.
Before attending the August session, listen to the July Part 1 recording if possible. The archive also contains earlier workshops covering book searches, series, navigation, bookmarks, speed, volume, tone and everyday-use examples.
Experienced users may find the August session particularly useful if they want to understand recent changes to preference options or ask about a setting that has not worked as expected.
How to Attend
Program: Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker
Topic: Updated Preference Options in the My Talking Books Skill on Alexa: Part 2
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Cost: Free
Participants can join through the official NLS Zoom.gov meeting link.
The meeting ID is 161 345 4948, and the passcode is 912911.
NLS also provides telephone participation:
- 646-828-7666
- 551-285-1373
- 669-254-5252
After dialing, enter meeting ID 161 345 4948. Telephone participants can press Star 9 to raise or lower a hand and Star 6 to mute or unmute.
The meeting uses the federal Zoom.gov service. NLS cautions that the Zoom.gov meeting ID will not work through the standard Zoom.us meeting system.
No advance registration requirement is listed on the official program page. That page should be checked again shortly before the session in case participation details change.
Accessibility and Screen-Free Participation
Telephone access provides a valuable alternative for people who do not want to use the Zoom application or navigate a computer interface. It also makes it possible to hear the workshop without watching a screen.
Keyboard commands are available for participants using Zoom.gov on a computer:
- On Windows, press Alt+Y to raise or lower a hand and Alt+A to mute or unmute.
- On a Mac, press Option+Y to raise or lower a hand and Command+Shift+A to mute or unmute.
NLS records these sessions. Participants who do not want their voices included in the recording should remain muted and avoid speaking.
Previous workshops are available as MP3 files from the official program page. These recordings provide an especially useful option for listeners who cannot attend at the scheduled time or who need to repeat a demonstration.
Web Radio Info identified the available Zoom, telephone and MP3 listening options but has not completed a full keyboard, screen-reader or player-accessibility evaluation of the August session.
Important My Talking Books Limitations
My Talking Books is a promising screen-free service, but several limitations should be understood.
The skill currently streams English-language audiobooks from BARD. According to the NLS FAQ, BARD magazines are not available through the current version of the skill.
The service is also restricted to eligible NLS patrons with BARD access. It is not a general public audiobook skill and does not replace enrollment in the National Library Service.
NLS says patrons must use the skill at least once every 30 days to maintain access during the open beta. Because it remains a beta service, users may encounter changes or technical problems and are encouraged to report them to NLS.
Audio Concierge Recommendation
Web Radio Info recommends this workshop for current NLS patrons who use an Echo or another supported Alexa-enabled device, as well as eligible audiobook listeners who are considering voice-controlled access to BARD.
The strongest reason to attend is not simply to hear about new settings. It is the opportunity to learn from a live demonstration, ask questions and discover ways to make audiobook listening more independent.
Listeners who are completely new to NLS should begin with enrollment and BARD registration. Current My Talking Books users should listen to the July Part 1 recording before August 20, then bring any unanswered preference or navigation questions to the live session.
This is precisely the kind of accessibility program that deserves more attention: practical, human-guided and focused on helping people hear books with less reliance on a screen.
Sources and Verification
Program details, participation instructions, and archived recordings were verified through the official Smart Speaking to the Smart Speaker page.
Eligibility, registration, and account information were verified through the official NLS BARD enrollment page and the NLS BARD frequently asked questions.
Schedule and participation information were verified on August 4, 2026. Online program details may change.
About the Author: William Lee is the Accessibility Lead at Web Radio Info Inc., a Clearwater, Florida organization dedicated to making digital audio fully accessible to the visually impaired community. William specializes in rigorously testing smart speakers, screen readers, and mobile applications to break down digital barriers. His work ensures that every listener can seamlessly navigate broadcasts, podcasts, and live events using just their voice.