Hello, readers! Welcome to the fourth instalment in our More Than Just Books series. This series was created to draw attention to the wonderful things that the library offers beyond just the books on our shelves. You can check out the other posts in the series here.
Today we’re going to be talking about the accessibility provisions offered in the English Faculty Library. Topics include:
Building Access
The English Faculty Library is located across 2 floors in the St Cross Building. The building itself has level access through a lift in the main foyer, and all parts of the library have level access through a lift located in the library office. You can read more about navigating the building here.
The English Faculty Library is in the St Cross Building at the corner of St Cross Road and Manor Road. Source: Access Guide (linked above)
Parking outside the building is limited and often in high demand, so we usually recommend using the Park and Ride service where possible. However, a parking space for Blue Badge holders is available.
Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome.
Specialist Services
We offer some specialist services to readers who are registered with the Disability Advisory Service or by individual arrangement, at the discretion of the library staff. These include (but are not limited to):
- Hearing Loops
- Extended loan periods and unlimited renewals
- Large print or Braille copies of our informational leaflets
- Permitting the consumption of food and drink in the library (only where medically necessary)
- Pre-booking of socially distanced desk space
- Proxy borrowing
- Book fetching and reserving
- One-to-one inductions
Socially-distanced seating is available upstairs in the library.
You can find out more information about the specialist services we offer here.
Accessibility Station
We’ve talked to you about our Accessibility Station before, but it seems worth reiterating here. We keep a variety of accessibility equipment in the library for any readers to use as necessary. All we ask is that you put it back where you found it when you’re finished. The station includes:
- Footstools
- Bookrests
- Coloured acetate sheets
- Reading rulers
- Earplugs
- Daylight lamp (stored on the height adjustable desk upstairs)
- Magnifying glass
- Laptop stands
The equipment in our Accessibility Hub can be used by any library users.
We also have some height-adjustable desks and ergonomic chairs. You can read more about our height-adjustable furniture here.
The Bodleian Libraries
Beyond just the English Faculty Library, the wider Bodleian Libraries offers a range of services to assist disabled readers with accessing and using resources. This includes, but is not limited to:
- ARACU (The Accessible Resources Acquisition and Creation Unit): a team who can help you with accessing printed resources in alternative formats.
- RNIB Bookshare: a database of accessible books and resources.
- SensusAccess: a service that reformats inaccessible files into accessible ones, including ebooks, audio books, and digital Braille.
- Self-Help Reading Lists: curated by the University Counselling service
You can see the full offering of services for disabled readers here.
Contacts
If you’d like any more information on anything we’ve talked about today, you can contact:
- The English Faculty Library Enquiries Inbox is always open for any queries: efl-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
- Jocelyn English: Librarian-in-Charge and Disability Contact for the English Faculty Library: jocelyn.english@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
- The Disability Advisory Service: There are multiple contact details for the DAS, depending on your particular needs.
- Teresa Pedroso: Disability Librarian for the Bodleian Libraries and manager of ARACU: disability.librarian@bodleian.ox.ac.uk