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The University of Manchester Library - Main Library

The University of Manchester, 250 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PP

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Access Guide

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Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the building is step-free and level.
  • There is one entrance which provides step free level access to the ground floor.
    There is a single automatic door at the entrance with a manual revolving door on the right.
  • The entrance is signed with the building name.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free access throughout the building on all floors.
  • There is a slight ramp on the first floor to access the Green 2 - group study areas and the Red music area.
    There are 4 clearly marked steps to access Green 3 and Red.
    There are 3 clearly marked steps to access Orange Level 4, 5, Purple 4 and Red 3.
    There are 4 clearly marked steps to Orange 3 and 5 clearly marked steps to Orange 1.
    It is necessary to use a specific lift to access these areas.
  • There is internal access between the Main Library and the Muriel Stott Building on the ground floor, via ramps.
  • There are some narrow corridors to access some of the book shelves.
  • Floor surfaces along all circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
  • There are resting areas in some circulation and lobby areas with a mixture of seating.
  • Wayfinding signage and floor plans are provided on each floor to assist people in finding their way around.
  • There are not any manual doors in circulation corridors, only for access to stairwells.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 4 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground and first, second and third floors.
    • The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the male and female toilets on floors 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • The gender inclusive step-free standard toilet facilities are located on the second and third floors.
    • The male and female standard toilet facilities are located on floors 2, 3 and 4.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the accessible toilet on the ground floor.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Entrance (Accessible)

  • 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 step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 82cm.
  • There is a bell at a height of 74cm.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 98cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 83cm.
  • There is a manual revolving door on the right of the accessible entrance.

Reception

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter the Library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 8m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 96cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 74cm.
  • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • 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.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • There are security barriers with a wider opening which are operated by key card.
  • There are security barriers to enter and exit the Library.

Library

  • 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 and narrow openings.
  • 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 flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and sofas.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: coffee tables, desks and booths.
  • Some surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of some surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • When made accessible the height of the touchscreen display ranges from 101cm to 121cm from the floor.
  • All touchscreens are on the ground floor.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: large print, ebook and ejournal.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: large key keyboards, high visibility/contrast keyboards, a trackball mouse, ergonomic chairs, coloured overlays and headsets.
  • Accessible software available for the computers includes: Texthelp Read&Write and Mindview.
  • There is an accessible equipment room on the ground floor with height adjustable desks and high visibility /contrast keyboards.

Lift (Lift 3)

  • The lift surveyed is located on the front left of the building.
  • The distance from the entrance is 31m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • The Ground, 1, 2, 3 (Blue) floors, and Green levels 1 and 3 are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a low 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 80cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 138cm (width) x 165cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a mirror to aid reversing, a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lift 2 gives access to floors Blue G, 1, 2, 3 and Orange level 1, 3 and 4.
    Lift 1 gives access to floors Blue G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Escalators

  • The escalators surveyed are located ahead as you go through the barriers at Reception.
  • The Ground and first floors are accessed by escalators.
  • The escalator steps are unmarked.
  • The foot (bottom) and head (top) of the escalators are not clearly marked.

Stairs (Stairs 3)

  • The stairs surveyed are located on the front left of the Library.
  • The Ground, 1, 2, 3 and 4 floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 14 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor on the rear left of the Library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 40m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • 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 automatically and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • 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 low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 234cm (width) x 278cm (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.
    • The lateral transfer space is 150cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-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 48cm 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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 95cm 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 high 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 106cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 89cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 100cm and 100cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 90cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.

Toilet with Adaptations (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor.
    • The distance from lift 3 is 11m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has manual doors, step-free level access and a lift.
    • 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 automatically and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • 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 152cm (width) x 360cm (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 87cm (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 47cm 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 colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 90cm 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 sensor 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 not a soap dispenser.
    • 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 90cm 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 walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a second sink in the accessible toilet with rails on both sides.
      The height of the sink is 78cm and the height of the hand wash is 89cm. The taps are sensor.
      There is a powered overhead hoist which covers all areas of the accessible toilet.