Welcome to the Library
Library staff are here to make sure that all students are able to make full use of the Library building and resources.
We offer:
• Individual Library inductions
• A dedicated Assistive Technologies (AT) Room on Level 2 of the Library
• A ‘Fetch and Carry’ service
• Coloured paper for printing
• Lift passes
• Lockers
• Extended loan periods
• Adjustments to Library fines
• Access to the Library for helpers
• Scanning service
• Longer time slots in our Group Discussion rooms
Step-free access to the Library
If you are a wheelchair user or have difficulty climbing the stairs at the main entrance, you can use the key fob provided by Disability Services to enter the Library in the following way:
1. Enter the Library building (Curran Building) through the front doors as usual.
2. Ignore the doors labelled ‘Andersonian Library’ and instead turn right before the Nourish café/Starbucks kiosk and pass through the door to take to Level 3.
3. Turn left out of the lift and push the pad to open the door.
4. A few metres on the right is a small pad on the wall. Swipe your fob on the pad. The door in front of you should open and you can go through this into Level 3 of the Library.
5. Follow the wall round to right and you will come to main entrance area and the Enquiries Desk.
Individual Library inductions
Library staff are happy to give students individual Library inductions, incorporating accessibility information such as accessible routes and our dedicated Assistive Technologies (AT) room. Email help@strath.ac.uk and we can arrange an appointment.
Assistive Technologies Room
The Assistive Technologies (AT) Room is on Level 2 of the Library. It has power-assisted doors which you can open with the push button. The AT Room has:
• height adjustable desks
• document holders
• daylight lamps
• CCTV equipment – EyePal Solo and MyReader
• software including Jaws, Zoomtext, Kurzweil 1000, Read & Write Gold and MindGenius.
All computers throughout the University are equipped with Read and Write Gold.
JAWS and Zoomtext are restricted to User groups. Please discuss your requirements with your Disability Adviser. Ask at the enquiry desk if you need help using the equipment or if you have any questions about the room.
Fetch and Carry service
If you are experiencing difficulty in finding and/or carrying books, staff from our Fetch and Carry service will:
1. Search SUPrimo, the Library catalogue
2. Tell you if any of the books you want are unavailable
3. Retrieve books from the shelf ISD guide for students with additional support needs 6
4. Leave them for you or a nominated helper to collect from the Library
If you would like to use the service, email help@strath.ac.uk with ‘Fetch and Carry’ in the subject line.
Coloured paper for printing
Please ask at the Enquiries desk on Level 3 of the Library if you would like coloured paper to print on.
Lift passes
Lift passes are available for those who have difficulty using the stairs. The lift pass will identify you to Library staff as having permission to use the staff lift. To apply for a pass please ask at the Level 3 Enquiries desk or email help@strath.ac.uk
Lockers
The Library has lockers on Level 2, located on the wall beside the AT room. There is a £10 refundable deposit at the start of the rental period. Once paid you will be given your locker key. You can request a locker by speaking to your Disability Advisor.
Extended loan periods
Reasonable adjustments to loan periods for Short Loan items can be arranged in consultation with Short Loans Staff. Please ask for your extended loan
• at the Short Loan Counter, or
• email help@strath.ac.uk
Adjustments to Library fines
The Library has a Fines and Charges Exceptions policy which allows us to make adjustments to fines and charges in some cases. If you are having difficulty returning/renewing your books on time or paying fines please contact us as soon as possible.
• Email help@strath.ac.uk , or
• Telephone 0141 548 4444
Access to the Library for helpers
You can nominate a friend or relative to collect books or help you around the Library. If you have a helper, please let the staff at the Enquiries Desk know and they can issue a Visitors Reference pass to allow easy
access to the Library.
Your nominated helper can also borrow books on your behalf if you can’t get into the Library. Just let staff know or email help@strath.ac.uk
Scanning service
The Disability Scanning team in the Library scan core reading material, or provide it in electronic form, for students with visual impairments or mobility issues. You will need to be referred to the service by your Disability Advisor.
Group Discussion rooms
Our group discussion rooms are available for all students to book. These can be booked on the day using the keypad at the door, through the Library website or through the Strathclyde mobile app.
If referred by your Disability advisor, the Library can allow you to:
• increase the time you need to arrive at the room to pick up the booking to 30 mins
• book up to 4 weeks in advance
• book longer time slots – up to 8 hours in our small discussion rooms.
Our small discussion rooms are located on Level 2, 4 and 5 of the Library and can accommodate up to 3 people.
Room 204 on Level 2 is suitable for wheelchairs with a wider door and height adjustable table.
You will need to be referred by your Disability Advisor to be eligible for this extension to booking rooms.
See inside the Library before you visit
Our webpages have lots of photographs taken around the Library and we regularly share photos and videos on social media.
• www.twitter.com/unistrathlibit
• www.instagram.com/unistrathlibit
Contact us
You’re always welcome to contact us if you have any questions. You can:
• speak to staff at any of our enquiry desks
• email help@strath.ac.uk, or
• telephone 0141 548 4444