Disabled access
Access to the Taylor Institution Library (St Giles')
The entrance to the Taylorian is on the corner of Beaumont Street and St Giles’, up 12 steps from street level. The Faculty Teaching Rooms are mainly on the ground floor, which is on two different levels connected by an internal staircase (10 steps).
To reach the ground floor (Teaching Rooms 2 and 3 and the Voltaire Room) from street level, avoiding steps, there is a permanent ramp on the Ashmolean forecourt which is accessed from Beaumont Street. A temporary ramp is available for the two steps connecting the forecourt and the entrance to the Taylorian.
Access from street level to the Lecture Hall and accessible lavatory is from the secondary, St Giles’, entrance to the building. This door is not normally open, but the porter can be reached by telephone on (2)78142 or (2)78143.
The Library is divided into two sections (MLFL for the teaching collections and TAY for the research collections), and is spread over five floors, with the Circulation Desk in MLFL (on the first floor of the 1930s Hughes extension) and the Research Services Desk in TAY (on the first floor of the original Cockerell building). There are two main staircases and several subsidiary ones connecting the different Library levels.
There is no passenger lift in the building.
Lavatories are in the basement, with one accessible lavatory on the ground floor, near the Lecture Hall.
The library is on five floors with no passenger lift. Staff will take books, on request, to the ground-floor reading room (Voltaire Room) for readers with restricted mobility.
The Voltaire Room has an adjustable “action system” chair, and a daylight lamp for readers with impaired vision.
Access to the Taylor Bodleian Slavonic & Modern Greek Library (47 Wellington Square)
The front entrance is situated on the St John Street side of the building. There are three steps up to the door, and a smaller lip. A valid University (or Bodleian) card is needed to register with the Library; once registered, readers may enter during opening hours by swiping their cards. New arrivals may use the intercom at the front door to gain access.
There is a lift for wheelchair users, which is accessible from the car park on the Walton Street side of the building. It is advisable to telephone the library in advance if planning to use this (01865 270464).
The library is on four floors and there is no internal passenger lift. Staff will fetch books to the ground floor for readers with restricted mobility.
The ground floor reading areas also include an adjustable “action system” chair, and a daylight lamp for readers with impaired vision.