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The Linen Hall Library

17 Donegall Square North, Belfast, BT1 5GB

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on level 2, to the left on exiting the lift.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The female toilet facilities are located on level 1, to the right when exiting the lift.
    • The male toilet facilities are located on level 3, to the right when exiting the lift.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on level 2, to the left on exiting the lift, in the Toilet with Adaptations.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Access to the standard toilets requires a key code, which can be obtained from any of the staff.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located the Castle Court Shopping Centre.
    • The name of the car park is the Castle Court Shopping Centre Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Entrance (Fountain Street)

  • This entrance is located at the side of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 116cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • The minimum width between the security barriers is 92cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Fountain Street Entrance)

  • The reception is located to the right from the Fountain Street entrance.
  • The distance from the Fountain Street entrance is 2m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 96cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Entrance (Donegall Square North Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 3 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 13cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • The minimum width between the security barriers is 93cm.
  • There is stepped access as you enter.
  • There are 20+ steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead and then round to the right from the Fountain Street entrance.
  • The distance from the Fountain Street entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • All floors (floors G to 5) are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low colour contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 107cm (width) x 209cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high colour contrast.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, a separate door to exit, a list of floor services/facilities and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located ahead and then round to the right from the Fountain Street entrance.
  • All floors (floors G to 5) can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Reception (Level 2 - Library Counter)

  • The reception is located in the main library room, on level 2.
  • The distance from the lift is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 120cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Library (Levels 2 and 4)

  • There is step-free level access throughout the library, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the library may include narrow walkways.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: desks.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: large print and audio.

Stairs (Library Level 2 to 4)

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the centre of the library rooms.
  • Levels 2 and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Eating and Drinking (Level 2 - Café)

  • Location and Service View
    • The café is located on level 2.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Menus are wall-mounted.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the right from the café entrance.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 80cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Some flooring is patterned.
    • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Room (Level 3 - Performance Area)

  • The room is located on level 3, ahead from the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 2m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double automatic doors with a high colour contrast.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Toilet with Adaptations (Level 2 - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on level 2, to the left on exiting the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 2m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 94cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 183cm (width) x 204cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 93cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.