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Holywood Arches Library

4-12 Holywood Road, Sydenham, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 1NT

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include a lending library, newspapers, computers, internet/Wi-Fi access, scanning, copying and printing services, room hire, study areas, events and activities.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Sydenham.
  • Comments View
    • The library is located east of Belfast city centre on the B505 Holywood Road, just near the junction with the A20 Upper Newtownards Road toward Dundonald.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 264cm x 450cm (8ft 8in x 14ft 9in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 105cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 156cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 84cm.

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
  • Staff are not trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Library

  • This library does have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • The library does have computers with accessible software.
  • Accessible software includes Zoomtext.
  • Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
  • A large text keyboard and large rollerball mouse is / are available.

Other Floors

  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are for public use.
  • The stairs are located straight ahead after entering via the main entrance.
  • The stairs are approximately 6m from the main entrance.
  • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There are manual, heavy, double doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is a landing.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are good.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located straight ahead after entering the library.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the lift lobby on the ground floor.
  • The lift is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 82cm (2ft 8in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 105cm x 144cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

C.S. Lewis Meeting Room

  • The C.S Lewis room is located on the first floor, facing the lift.
  • There is level access to the room from the lift.
  • The room has stackable chairs and fold up tables.
  • It is a multifunction room.
  • The room has a hearing assistance system, which is signed but was not tested at the time of survey (September 2023).

Accessible Toilet (First Floor - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, to the right when exiting the lift and through a manual door.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 147cm x 380cm (4ft 10in x 12ft 6in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 79cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are non-infectious waste and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 156cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 122cm (4ft).
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet cubicle on the first floor.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • This toilet facility is for all users.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.
  • Home visits / services are available.