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Library Café, George Square

The University of Edinburgh, Central Area, 30 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free via a long slight ramp.
    There is an alternative stepped approach.
  • The long slope is located at the front left of the building.
    The stepped approach is located directly in front of the building.
  • The Library Café has 1 main external entrance. This entrance provides step-free level access to the café.
    This entrance is a double automatic door that is permanently held open.
  • The entrance is not clearly signed.
  • There is an internal link between the library café and the main library building. This link has university card operated security barriers 91cm wide.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the café.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There is limited wayfinding signage provided throughout the café.
  • There are manual doors to access the toilet area.
    Please note the fire evacuation strategy for this building relies on the ability to self-transfer in to an evacuation chair.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located at the rear left of the café, within the toilet area.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • At the time of the survey (September 2024) the customer toilet with adaptations was out of order, and the staff toilet with adaptations was being used as an alternative.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the standard toilet cubicles.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located at the rear left of the café, within the toilet area.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located directly in front of the George Square Main Library.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of cobbles and block paving.
    • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 242cm (width) x 413cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 133cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 28m from the Main Library main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
    • There is no dropped kerb from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front right of the Main Library, George Square building.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Eating and Drinking (Library Café)

  • Location and Service View
    • The Library Café is located at the front right of the Main Library, George Square building.
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating options.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menus are wall-mounted.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, 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 directly ahead when you enter the Library Café main entrance.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 99cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, sofas, stools and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables, coffee tables, high tables, desks and booths.
    • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • There is limited, fixed, concrete seating outside the café to the front.
      There is a mix of seating areas within the café, with some having study spaces and computers available.

Toilet with Adaptations (Staff Toilet - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the rear left of the Library Café.
    • The distance from the Library Café main entrance is 12m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • At the time of the survey (September 2024), the main toilet with adaptations was out of order.
      This staff toilet was temporarily being used as an alternative.
    • There is Braille, tactile and pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 96cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 170cm (width) x 243cm (depth) and there is 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 100cm (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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • 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 97cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 99cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 98cm and 134cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.