Assistance for users with disabilities

In recognition that users with disabilities may have special difficulties with accessing the full services and resources of the Barr Smith Library we welcome the opportunity to assist you personally.
This document describes the services available at the Barr Smith Library; there are separate documents for the Law Library, the Roseworthy Campus Library and the Waite Library.

Help with finding information, including assistance with the use of the Library Catalogue, electronic resources and the collections, is available from the Research Help desk, phone 8303 5372.

Individual orientation tours for students who would find it difficult to participate in regular tours, may be arranged by contacting Margaret Colmer (telephone: 8303 5349).

Access

The Library entrance has ramps leading to it from the Hughes Plaza and from the Students' Union. If you have difficulty getting into the Library special arrangements can be made for you by the Counselling and Disability Service in the Horace Lamb Building.
There are two lifts in the Library, providing access to all Levels.

Seating

Specially adapted study carrels, identified by wheelchair signs, are located in the Reference collection area on Level 3 South and in the link areas of Levels 1 and 2.

Toilets

Access toilets are located on Level 3 South directly opposite the main entrance and on Level 1 North.

Emergency exits

Emergency exits are located on all floors. If you have a disability that may make it difficult to use the emergency exits, please notify the librarian at the Research Help desk of your presence in the building, and of your likely movements within the Library. This is especially important in the evening and at weekends when there are not many people in the Library.

Paging/Photopying of items

If you are unable to retrieve items in the Barr Smith Library from the shelves, we will try to collect them for you.  Place your requests via the Library Catalogue using the "Joint Store and Intercampus Request" option.   Requests made using using this method will be recorded in MyLibrary, allowing you to track the progress of your request.  You will be emailed when the items are available.

Requests for paging of items can also be made by filling in the Paging/photocopy service request form and handing it in at the Research Help desk. If there is more than one book that you need, you may attach a list of books to a single request form. Requests may be faxed to 8303 4370 (Attention: Disability paging) or sent by e-mail to library-external@adelaide.edu.au. To register for the electronic requesting service, please contact Margaret Colmer or Mary Georgopoulos.

If you are unable to use a photocopier because of a disability, the Library will do photocopying on your behalf. The cost of photocopies is 11 cents per A4 page. Fill in the details, and sign the Copyright declaration, on a Paging/photocopy service request form for each item you need. Please note: the Library is able to copy material subject to the 'fair dealing' provisions of the Copyright Act. If you require more than 'fair dealing' allows, you will need to talk to Learning and Disability Access staff.

You should allow a minimum of 24 hours, Monday-Friday, for your request to be processed.

Pick up your items from Service Enquiries. Your requested items will be held for 48 hours after the time for which they were requested.

Reserve collection books

Books from the Reserve collection cannot be requested by means of the Paging/photocopy service request form. A request may be placed on a Reserve item for any three hour period. This should be done in person at the Reserve and Multimedia desk or by telephoning 8303 5273. Books on Request from the Reserve collection must be collected within fifteen minutes of the arranged time.

Loans

Users with disabilities who are referred to the Library by Learning & Disability Access, may be entitled to an extended loan period.
If another user places a Request on an item that has been borrowed for an extended loan period, the loan period will be reduced to the minimum loan period for that item. A loan may be renewed up to four times, provided that nobody has placed a Request on the book.

Adaptive Technology

The Adaptive Technology resource room is available for users with disabilities. It is located on Level 3 South.

Equipment

The following equipment is in the Adaptive Technology resource room

• Three PCs with:
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional version
  • JAWS 7.0 - computer screen reading software
  • Microsoft Office 2003 (Word/Excel/Access/PowerPoint)
  • Acrobat Reader 7.0
  • Pagemaker 6.5
  • Zoom Text 8.1
  • Read & Write Gold 7
  • Internet Explorer
  • and other smaller applications



• Printers and scanners connected to all three PCs.
• HP ScanJet Automatic Document Feeder scanner connected to PC1
• Reineker Videomatic machine which magnifies printed text and images and displays them on a television screen
• Portable leaning board which may be set up for use within the Library
• Telephone with direct dial to the Information Technology Services Help desk and to Learning & Disability Access

The equipment may be booked on the booking sheet inside the room.

Training in the use of the equipment may be arranged through Learning & Disability Access, telephone 8303 5962.

Library policy

The Library supports the University's policy of equal access for all users and will assist users with both short-term and longer term disabilities to make full use of our resources.

The University of Adelaide Library will provide:

1. access to all areas of the Library
2. special toilets
3. appropriate seating and study facilities
4. a resource room in the Barr Smith Library which houses appropriately adapted computer equipment and software
5. special borrowing privileges for users with disabilities, including those with visual impairment and dyslexia
6. remote Library services for approved staff or students who are registered as having special needs
7. a paging service to collect items from the shelves for users who are not able to do so
8. a photocopying service at standard copying charges
9. help with finding information, including assistance with the use of the Library Catalogue, electronic resources and the collections, from the Research Help desk or from your branch librarian
10. in-depth assistance by the appropriate Research or Branch Librarian
11. individual orientation tours and introduction to the Library for students who would find it difficult to participate in regular tours
12. regular dissemination of information and updates to ensure that users are aware of the range of services available
13. training for Library staff to enable them to assist users
14. specific emergency procedures to allow users to evacuate the buildings
15. a designated Library staff member to work on the development of services in consultation with users and the University's Disability Liaison Office

Useful contacts

• Research Help desk - telephone: 8303 5372
• Service Enquiries - telephone: 8303 5124
• Learning and Disability Access