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Stevenage Central Library

Southgate, Stevenage, SG1 1HD

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Southgate.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • There is a public car park located on Southgate.
    • The name of the car park is Southgate Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available in the car park.
    • Electric vehicle charging points are not available in the car park.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the library on Southgate.
  • 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 a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 94cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 111cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.

Enquiries

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead on the ground floor as you enter the library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 10m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Circulation View
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include pillars.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along the majority of circulation routes.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs and sofas.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • 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 this library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables and desks.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • 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 92cm to 140cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: adjustable font size.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: Braille, large print, ebook and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: adjustable foot rests, large letter key keyboards and handheld magnifiers.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor to the right as you enter the library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 9m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 93cm.
    • 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 217cm (width) x 255cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 140cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the non-transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 82cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 82cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 118cm 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 within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 80cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead as you enter the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground and first floors can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a low colour 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 tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 88cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 104cm (width) x 132cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile and Braille markings.
    • The control buttons have a high colour contrast.
    • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located ahead as you enter the library.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Information Desk

  • Location View
    • The reception is located on the first floor to the right as you exit the lift.
    • The distance from the lift is 10m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 73cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Study Area

  • The room is located on the first floor to the left as you exit the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 9m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single automatic door, which is push pad activated.
  • The height of the push pad is 102cm.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 101cm.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 86cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables and desks.
  • Some of the desks are fixed.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks 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 use of large glazed walls.