Additional services for disabled students

Details of additional services provided by our libraries to disabled students.

The University libraries offer a range of additional services to disabled students as well as implementing individual adjustments related to Information Services as listed on a student's learning profile.

Making individual arrangements

The library works closely with the Disability and Learning Support Service to ensure disabled students receive the adjustments they require. There are various special arrangements for students which the library may make to assist disabled students, these should be initiated through the Disability and Learning  Support Service who will compile a learning profile.

Depending on your needs, books can be fetched from shelves for collection, longer loan periods may be arranged and/or helpers may be offered Library cards in order to borrow books for you and so on.

By arrangement, disabled users can be given temporary use of a library trolley to collect their books if they experience difficulties in doing so as well as the book collection services.

To use the book collection service, a book collection form must be completed and handed in to the appropriate library service. Staff at the service desks will also be willing to assist users with completion of these forms should they require it.

These forms are available to download. Otherwise, you can contact the staff at the service desks.

Book Collection Form (Word) (34.5 KB Word)

Additional Equipment

Coloured acetates, coloured paper, magnifiers and portable desk lamps are available from all library helpdesks to borrow.

Ergonomic mice and wrist support mouse mats can also be borrowed from all the library helpdesks.

In the Main Library, if all other chairs with backs have been taken, it is also possible to request additional chairs with backs from the helpdesk.

There are 3 extra large lockers which can be used to store large pieces of disability equipment on the ground floor of the Main Library behind the main staircase. To arrange access to these please contact the Disability and Learning Support Service.

Early admission

Disabled students who have accepted a place at Edinburgh University may be entitled to early access to books and borrowing facilities.

This can be initiated through the Disability and Learning  Support Service, but it must be supported by University admission acceptance documents.

Learning about the library

All library staff will be happy to provide assistance in using the library.

The Main Library can be particularly daunting on your first few visits. So during the first few weeks of term additional assistance is available at core times, especially to help new students use the library catalogue and find books.

Online information is also available to help you to use the library, providing information on all aspects of library service.

Self-services

The Main Library operates on a self-service basis during some of its opening hours.

During these times self-services are available for borrowing, renewal, reference enquiries, photocopy card purchase and so on. Please note that users without a valid university or library card will not be admitted during unstaffed hours and new registrations will not be possible.

Arrangements are in place to provide assistance for disabled users at these times. Please contact the library messenger on duty at the Reception desk.

Study rooms

Accessible study rooms are available on the first floor and the third floor of the main library for individual study. In addition, there are two further accessible study rooms on the first floor of the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library at the Kings Buildings campus and one accessible study room in the Murchison House Building.

Initial enquiries should be made to the Disability and Learning Support Service. If the Disability and Learning Support Service recommends you should have access to one of these study rooms then Information Services will email you with details about booking rooms and how to collect your key. Please remember to be considerate of other users and not block book the rooms and please tidy up when you leave the room.

Group study rooms are available on a self-booking basis at:

• the Main Library
• Moray House Library
• the Royal Infirmary Library
• Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library (Kings Buildings)

Accessible study rooms

We respectfully ask students who are using these rooms to adhere to the guidelines set out in the code of conduct which can be found below

Accessible Study Room Etiquette Reminder (111.2 KB Word)

Contact

For more information please contact the Head of Disability Information.

BSL users can contact me via Contact Scotland BSL, the on-line British Sign Language interpreting service. Find out more on the Contact Scotland BSL website.