Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library for disabled readers

A view of a reading room with three desks curving around a round room with shelves on either side

Accessibility

The main entrance to the building is in St John Street. There are no steps. Readers with mobility issues can be given access from the entrance lobby into the library itself through the swing gate exit to facilitate entry. You can also choose to remain on the ground floor for the duration of your visit and have a desk reserved for you — please contact library staff (artlib-enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk) in advance of your visit.

All floors, except for the Haverfield Room, are accessible by lift. If you are unable to use stairs unaided or would have other difficulties evacuating the building without assistance, please contact us to arrange a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).

Accessible toilets are located off the entrance lobby (ground floor) and on floor 2 near the south stairs.

A bell is rung 15 minutes before the library is due to close, and then twice at closing time. The volume of the bell is loud in all areas of the library. It is rung continuously in the event of an emergency evacuation.

For more detailed accessibility information, visit the University Access Guide. The Disability Liaison Librarian for the Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library, Grace Brown (grace.brown@bodleian.ox.ac.uk), can also be contacted to discuss further support needs.

Emergencies

Readers who are unable to evacuate by stairs should discuss an evacuation plan with the library staff before accessing other floors. The lift will stop working in the event of a fire alarm. The reader lift is equipped with an emergency call button, which can be used in the event of a lift failure to summon assistance. 

Services and support

There are five study carrels in the library, two of which are bookable by readers with a Student Support Plan specifying priority booking of library study carrels. These bookable carrels are located on the ground floor and floor 2. 

Students with this provision will receive an email with information on how to make a booking. If you do not have priority carrel booking as part of your SSP, but feel this would be a useful disability accommodation for you, please contact the Disability Advisory Service (disability@admin.ox.ac.uk) to discuss having this added to your plan. 

When not reserved, all carrels are available for walk-in use on a first-come, first-served basis by any reader, including the three walk-in study carrels on the lower ground floor, floor 2 and floor 3. 

Ergonomic chairs and height-adjustable desks are available on the ground floor and in all the study carrels. There is also a height-adjustable desk in the Haverfield Room and a wooden desktop stand on floor 1.  

Ergonomic seat cushions are also available on all floors of the library.

Assistive equipment is available from the issue desk:

  • foot stool
  • screen riser
  • daylight lamp
  • dimmable task lamp
  • book stands
  • magnifier
  • coloured acetate sheets and reading rulers
  • coloured printing paper
  • earplugs

For enquiries about supporting equipment and materials, please contact library staff in person or by email.