Disability Support & Accessibility: The library space

The main entrance to the IALS building is via a flight of external stairs which take you to the ground floor. There are two accessible entrances: an external lift which takes you to the top of the external stairs and into the ground floor main entrance, and a ramp underneath the external stairs which leads to a door into the lower first floor (L1). These are both located to the left of the external stairs as you look at the building. They are both equipped with a bell which will alert staff on the Reception desk to assist. For more information about the building and the entrances, please see the AccessAble guide to the building.

Once you are inside the building, the entrance to the library is on the second floor. There is a flight of stairs or two lifts that you can use to reach the second floor. From the main lift lobby on the second floor, proceed down the corridor in front of you to the library entrance. 

There is an entry gate to the left to enter the library where you will need to scan your library membership card to enter. The library exit is located just next to the entrance on the second floor. There are no other entrances or exits to the library, other than in emergencies in which case there are fire doors located on each floor, which lead out to the main lift lobby on each floor. 

The Admissions Desk is located to the right of the entrance and exit gates. Please ask staff at the Admissions Desk for assistance if you have any questions about membership or you need to pick up a library card. For more information about accessing and entering the library, please see the AccessAble guide to the library.

The library is located over four floors of the building: the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and L2 floors. The floors can be accessed by either stairs or lift, with the except of L2 floor which is only accessible by the lift. 

The library lift is located in the centre of the library. The dimensions of the lift are 148cm deep by 82cm wide (at the narrowest point).

There are two flights of stairs from the second to the third floor located at the north and south ends of the library. Each of these flights of stairs is made up of 18 steps (9 steps then a landing, then another 9 steps). There is a handrail on either side of the stairs. 

There is one flight of stairs from the third to the fourth floor which is located at the north end of the library. This flight of stairs is made up of 18 steps (9 steps then a landing, then another 9 steps). There is a handrail on either side of the stairs.

If you have any difficulty using the library lift or stairs to navigate through the library, please let us know at the Enquiry Desk and we can assist you to find an alternative route. 

The rest of this guide provides further details about each floor of the library. Floorplans of each floor of the library are also available. For more information, please also see the AccessAble guide to the library. 

Enquiry Desk

In addition to the entrance, exit, and the Admissions desk, the Enquiry Desk is also located on the second floor. Library staff are available to help at the Enquiry Desk with any questions that you may have about the library and the collections. The Enquiry Desk is fitted with an induction loop.

The Short Loan Collection is also located at the Enquiry Desk. If you wish to consult any books with the classmark 'Short Loan', please ask staff at the Enquiry Desk. 

There is a self-issue and returns machine next to the Enquiry Desk which can be used for issuing and returning books when the Enquiry Desk is not staffed. 

Located to the left of the library lift, there is also a microfiche and microfilm reader on the second floor, as well as four multi-functional printers. View our Printing, Copying and Scanning guide for more information on how to use the printers. 

Computers

The Library Training and Computer room is also on the second floor in Room 202. There are 20 PCs in this room which can be used when the room is not being used for training sessions. If there are any training sessions planned or taking place, this will be indicated with a sign on the door. 

There is a height adjustable desk in the Training and Computer room with two PCs. This is the first desk as you enter the room. The height can be adjusted from a minimum height of 61cm to a maximum height of 126cm. 

Outside of the Training and Computer room, there are 12 additional PCs on the second floor. Four of these are located near to the staircase at the north end of the library, and eight more are located near to the staircase at the south end of the library. 

All computers in the library are equipped with Microsoft assistive software. See the Assistive software page of this guide for more information on how to use accessibility features of these PCs. 

We also have laptops available for loan from the lockers on the second floor just to the right of the library lift. View our How To guide on laptops for loan to find out more.

Study Rooms

Also on the second floor are the bookable group study rooms which can be booked via the online booking system for two hours at a time. These are Rooms 201, 203 and 210.

Room 201 is located in the centre of the floor next to the Training and Computer Room, and has a table with eight seats. Room 210 is located next to the staircase at the south end of the library, and has a table with five seats. To use Rooms 201 and 210, you should check in at the time of your booking using the panel on the outside of the room. 

Room 203 is a sound-proofed carrel available for individual use. In order to access Room 203, you will need to report to the Enquiry Desk where the key will be issued to you. 

Other facilities

There is a water fountain next to the lift in the centre of the second floor. 

There are three gender-neutral toilets, including an accessible toilet with support bars. 

The third floor is one of the main library reading rooms. This floor can be accessed by the staircase at the south end of the library next to the Enquiry Desk, by the staircase at the north end of the library, and by the library lift. 

On the third floor, the bookshelves are located in the centre of the floor and there are 94 desks located around the perimeter. The desks are at a fixed height of 71cm, with the exception of one desk at the south end of the library which is fixed at 75cm high. 

There are four PCs located in the centre of the floor behind the library lift. 

There is a carrel on the third floor which is reserved for accessibility use. This is Room 316 which is located in the centre of the floor near the library lift. Please see the Support and facilities page of this guide for more information on using the accessibility carrel.  

There are three gender-neutral toilets, including an accessible toilet with support bars. 

The fourth floor is another one of the main library reading rooms. This floor can be accessed by the staircase at the north end of the library, and by the library lift.

The layout of the fourth floor is very similar to the third floor. The bookshelves are located in the centre of the floor and there are 94 desks located around the perimeter. The desks are at a fixed height of 71cm, with the exception of one desk at the south end of the library which is fixed at 75cm high. 

There are four PCs located in the centre of the floor behind the library lift. 

There are six gender-neutral toilets, including two accessible toilets with support bars. 

The other main library reading room is located on the lower second floor which can be accessed via the library lift only. 

On this floor, there are 24 desks in the centre opposite the lift, including four PCs. There is also a multi-functional printer and a telephone which can be used to contact staff at the Enquiry Desk in emergencies.

The books are located in rolling stacks at either ends of the floor, which are controlled by a wheel which is 1m high. There is a small ramp up into the rolling stacks. Please ask staff at the Enquiry Desk if you need any assistance accessing materials in the rolling stacks.

There are no toilets located on the lower second floor of the library.