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Sir Michael Cobham Library

Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a slight slope.
  • The building has three entrances. The main entrance and Aroma Cafe entrance have step-free access with a slight ramp to the ground floor. The Lady Cobham Link Bridge entrance is located on the third floor and has a slight ramped entrance.
  • The main entrance is signed as The Sir Michael Cobham Library, Aroma and Bridge Link to Student Centre.
  • The main entrance is the most accessible entrance and has step-free access to the ground floor with a slight ramp.
  • The Lady Cobham Link Bridge entrance has a slight ramp.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the building on all floors.
  • On level 3 the Lady Cobham Link Bridge entrance has a ramped approach.
  • Access via the Lady Cobham Link Bridge entrance has a ramped approach with handrails on both sides.
  • Floor surfaces on all circulation routes are carpeted or laminate.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wall mounted signage is provided throughout the building.
  • There are no manual doors in any circulation corridors, only to access stairwells. .

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 5 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground, first, second and third floors. .
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
    • The female step-free toilet facilities are located on the first and third floors.
    • The male step-free toilet facilities are located on the second and fourth floors.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations on the ground floor by the lift.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking (Visitor and Events Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the right of the Talbot Building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 240cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 25m from Talbot House.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located close to the Blue Badge parking bays and at the front of the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Parking (to the rear of Weymouth House and Dorset House)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the rear of Weymouth House and Dorset House.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 250cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 150cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m from Weymouth House rear entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 4 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 270cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require an app.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located at the front 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 160cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 133cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the security barriers is 101cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Helpdesk)

  • The reception is located directly beyond the main entrance.
  • The distance from main entrance is 12m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 104cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 71cm.
  • The reception has glazed screens.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 110cm to 130cm from the floor.
  • The Book Borrow and Return touchscreens are height adjustable.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches, chairs without armrests, chairs with armrests, high stools and armchairs.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: booths, high tables, tables and desks.
  • Some chairs and tables are fixed.

Lift

  • The distance from main entrance is 38m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground, first, second third and fourth floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 79cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 106cm (width) x 143cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • Internally the lift has: an audible announcer, a visual floor indicator, a list of floor services/facilities and a mirror to aid reversing.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located in the stairwell on the far right as you enter.
  • There is a permanently held open door to access the stairwell.
  • The ground, first, second, third and fourth floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 19 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 vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the library, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout the library may include doors permanently held open and manual doors.
  • 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.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs without armrests, benches, chairs with armrests, high stools and armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: high tables, coffee tables, booths and desks.
  • Some seating and desks are fixed.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: large text and a magnifier.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: ejournal, ebook and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: headsets and ergonomic chairs.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the right as you enter the building.
    • The distance from main entrance is 5m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door .
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 190cm (width) x 176cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 60cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a sensor tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 89cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is no mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • This toilet is signed as gender neutral and can be used by all visitors.