Readers with Accessibility Requirements

Library staff are very happy to be of assistance to readers who have accessibility requirements. You are welcome to contact us by email, telephone, or in person to discuss any concerns or requirements you have, or make suggestions.

Physical access

The main entrance to the library is through the Department of HPS, via several flights of stairs. Step-free access is available via an alternative route through the Whipple Museum. Please contact us in advance and we can direct you as necessary. This entrance is available 09.00-17.30 Monday to Friday.

Within the library there is lift access to all floors. A gender neutral wheelchair-accessible bathroom is available in the museum.

Using library resources

Electronic access to many of our resources is available - you can search for e-resources using iDiscover. Key reading list texts not available electronically may also be scanned and uploaded to Moodle.

The space between stacks is 100cm in the main library, and 70cm in the Old Library. There are kick-stools available on each floor. Library staff are able to fetch books if needed.

Loan periods are typically 28 days for open shelf material, and 1 day for reserve books. Non-reserve books will auto-renew. Books can also be renewed online through your library account, or you can ask library staff to renew books for you.

Library rules are available here.

Documents in alternative formats

If the Library holds a copy of a book, journal or other work in a format which is not accessible to you, please contact disability@lib.cam.ac.uk. We may be able to obtain or make an accessible alternate format for you using the copyright exception for disability. This is usually a digital version provided by the publisher or RNIB Bookshare. We require as much advance notice as possible; turnaround times can vary depending on the publisher and can be as little as 24 hours or up to 10 weeks.

Alternatively, if you have a digital resource that needs converting/making accessible, you can try using SensusAccess, a self-service online tool for current staff and students.

Additional support

You may find the Accessibility and Disability LibGuide a helpful resource.

If you have concerns or requirements that are not covered by the above, we are happy to discuss these with you.

Students may get in contact with us directly, or speak to the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre about obtaining a Student Support Document that lists additional recommendations for support. All other library users can talk to us by email, telephone or in person.