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Saffron Walden Library

2 King Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1ES

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Facilities available in the venue include: WiFi, Computers, Printing, Direct printing, Photocopying , Study space, Bookstart packs, Bookable gallery space, Battery recycling, Small electrical recycling, Essex Record Office (ERO) Archive Access Point (open and staffed on Tuesdays and Fridays: 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm Saturdays: 9am-1pm), Accessible Bathroom Facilities, Baby changing facilities, Equipment loan service for the visually impaired, and Everyone's Literacy Area.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the lower library area on the ground floor (slight gradient).
    • The following areas have stepped access: books on higher shelves in the reading room.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
    • The ground and first floors can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille, large print, different languages and audio.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located on the left after entering the library.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located to the left as you enter the library, in the children's section.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the shared standard toilet.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Market Square.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a public car park located on Common Hill.
    • The name of the car park is The Common Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on Market Square.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is 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.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 95cm.
  • 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 85cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • The minimum width between the security barriers is 120cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the right after entering the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 4m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 95cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • 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.

Getting Around

  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the lower library area on the ground floor (slight gradient).
  • Access throughout the library may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • There is 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 visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, sofas and high stools.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables, high tables and desks.
  • Some seating and tables 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.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: Braille, large print and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: high visibility/contrast keyboards, handheld magnifiers and headsets.
  • The self check-out and returns machine is by main reception.
    The touchscreen has a height of 102cm - 122cm.
    The scanners for bar codes have a height of 77cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left as you enter the library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 2m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has 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 visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 164cm (width) x 233cm (depth) and there is 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 104cm (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 50cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • 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 109cm 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 94cm 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 waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 169cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located to the right as you enter the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The ground and first 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 external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 81cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 108cm (width) x 130cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and a seat.
  • The lift seat is 57cm from the floor.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located directly ahead as you enter the library.
  • The ground and first floors 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Room (Reading Room)

  • The room is located at the rear of the first floor.
  • The distance from the lift is 13m.
  • 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 is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 77cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • The following areas have stepped access: books on higher shelfs. A member of staff is available for assistance if required.
  • 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 visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables and desks.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.