Disability Support
The University Library is committed to providing equality of access to services and facilities, and to the development of an inclusive environment for all users and staff.
Services and facilities
We offer the following services and facilities for library users who require additional support:
- Accessible study rooms
- Alternative formats
- BeWell@NCL
- Book retrieval service
- Height adjustable desks
- Lockers
- University computer clusters
If you have specific individual needs, please contact Library Help.
Find out how to use these services and facilities below.
Related topics in Library Help
How to use these services and facilities
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Access to and within the Library
The Visiting the Library pages provide useful information about each Library and contact details.
Philip Robinson Library
The Philip Robinson Library is located on Jesmond Road West.
If you anticipate difficulties, please contact Library Help so staff can provide help and give advice.
There are three parking spaces reserved for disabled users at the rear of the Philip Robinson Library.
Within the building there are two user lifts with low level tactile buttons and audio announcements which give access to all public areas. If user lifts are out of order please contact the Service Desk on Level 2 where staff will provide assistance with using the staff lift.
Most user areas are accessible to wheelchair users. Some areas which may present problems are:
- access to Level 1 which requires negotiating heavy doors
- doors to some study rooms which are of standard width
- Are disabled toilets available in the Library?
Walton Library
The Walton Library is located on the 5th floor of the Medical School.
If you anticipate difficulties, please contact Library Help so staff can provide help and give advice.
There are two parking bays at the front of the building for disabled users.
A ramp gives access to the Medical School and there are lifts with low level tactile buttons and audio announcements which give access to the Library on the 5th floor.
The Walton Library is on one level and all areas are accessible to wheelchair users.
Law Library
The Law Library is located in the basement of 21-24 Windsor Terrace.
If you anticipate difficulties, please contact Library Help so staff can provide help and give advice.
For parking please use the 3 available parking spaces reserved for disabled users at the rear of the Philip Robinson Library which is adjacent to the Law Library.
The library is accessible to wheelchair users via a lift with low level tactile buttons located near to the Law School Reception; there is a power-assisted door to enable entry to the library itself.
There are some areas of the library which will present problems to wheelchair users due to steep ramps.
Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms
The Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms are located at 89 Sandyford Road.
If you anticipate difficulties, please contact Library Help so staff can provide help and give advice.
There are two parking bays to the rear of the Library, and a ramp to the front of the building to give access.
Within the building there are two user lifts with low level tactile buttons and audio announcements which give access to all public areas.
Most user areas are accessible to wheelchair users. Some areas which may present problems are:
- the living room space on the ground floor
- doors to some study rooms which are of standard width
- Are disabled toilets available in the Library?
Philip Robinson Library
It would be helpful if users with mobility problems or impaired hearing could advise Library Staff at the Welcome Desk when entering and leaving the Library, so that we can alert the Fire Brigade in the event of an emergency.
Disabled refuges are situated in staircases C (Levels 3 and 4) and E (Levels 2, 3 and 4). Emergency call points are installed to enable you to contact Library Staff, and the double doors are fire retardent. We have an EVAC chair on Levels 2, 3 and 4, which can be used to evacuate you during an emergency.
Users requiring a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan should contact Library Help.
Walton Library
It would be helpful if users with mobility problems or impaired hearing could advise Library Staff at the Help Desk when entering and leaving the Library, so that we can alert the Fire Brigade in the event of an emergency.
In the event of an emergency evacuation, please make your way to the landing outside the South Side Stairwell where an EVAC chair is available and staff will come to assist you.
Users requiring a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan should contact Library Help.
Law Library
It would be helpful if users with mobility problems or impaired hearing could advise Library Staff at the Issue Desk when entering and leaving the Library, so that we can alert the Fire Brigade in the event of an emergency.
Users with mobility problems should leave the building via the six available Fire Exits and await assistance.
Users requiring a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan should contact Library Help.
Marjorie Robinson Library Rooms
It would be helpful if users with mobility problems or impaired hearing could advise Library Staff at the Welcome Desk when entering and leaving the Library, so that we can alert the Fire Brigade in the event of an emergency.
Disabled refuges are situated in all staircases on the first and second floors. Emergency call points are installed at each point to enable you to contact Library Staff. There are EVAC chairs at all disabled refuges on the second floor.
Users requiring a personal evacuation plan should contact Library Help.