Accessibility
The Humanities Library is in the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, on the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road. There are several onsite designated parking spaces for Blue Badge holders, as well as public designated parking for Blue Badge holders on nearby Walton Street (within 200m). Please see the University’s access guide for more information about the building.
Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the building and in the library. There is a hearing loop installed at the help desk.
The Humanities Library has reading rooms on the ground, first and second floors, with the collections accommodated on the first and second floors. Step-free access to the library’s main entrance on the first floor is available via the building’s four main lifts. Step-free access to the library’s second floor is via the library’s internal lift.
Emergencies
Lifts may not be used in an emergency. Readers who are unable to evacuate by stairs, or would have other difficulties evacuating the building without assistance, should discuss a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) with library staff before using the library – please contact jocelyn.english@bodleian.ox.ac.uk in the first instance.
Services and support
We are committed to assisting readers with disabilities or health conditions (long or short-term). This includes fetching books when required (eg from higher shelves) and help in using the online catalogues or electronic resources.
Students can nominate another member of the University or a support worker to borrow books on their behalf where necessary. Given prior notice, library staff may be able to locate books and put them aside for the reader.
All students receive a library induction when they join the University, but upon request we can provide an individual induction where this is helpful.
Other services and facilities we offer include:
- adjustable furniture, including 6 ergonomic chairs and 20 height-adjustable desks
- five small bookable group study/consultation rooms
- extended borrowing allowances and loan periods
- daylight lamps
- foot stools
- book stands
- laptop stands
- coloured acetate sheets
- reading rulers
- ear plugs
- magnifiers
Some of this equipment is readily available in the reading rooms, other items are available via the library help desk.
For enquires about support for disabled readers at the Humanities Library, please contact Jocelyn English, Librarian in Charge (jocelyn.english@bodleian.ox.ac.uk) in the first instance. For information about support for disabled readers across the Bodleian Libraries more generally, please see the Bodleian Libraries services for disabled readers page, and direct enquiries to disability.librarian@bodleian.ox.ac.uk. Students with disabilities should contact the University’s Disability Advisory Service to put in place a Student Support Plan (SSP), which will include the implementation of appropriate library support.
