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Medical Library

369 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9NH

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Access Guide

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Introduction (Medical Library)

  • Chelsea and Westminster Medical Library is part of Imperial College London's library service, providing a range of library resources to all staff members and medical students.
    For staff to use the service, they must register with the library via an online application form.
    The library has access to a wide range of print and electronic resources provided by Imperial College London and the NHS.
    Please visit the website for more information.

Opening Times (Medical Library)

  • The building is open 24 hours via swipe card.

Entrance (Medical Library)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the lower ground floor of the main hospital building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • There is a door release button when exiting.
    • The height of the door release button is 99cm (3ft 3in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 154cm.
  • Comments View
    • This entrance is open between the hours of 9am-9pm Monday to Friday and 1:30pm-5pm on Saturdays.
    • Outside of these hours, the entrance is accessed 24/7 via swipe card.
    • The height of the swipe card reader is 121cm.
    • Beyond the entrance, there are security barriers which are manned by the reception staff or automatic via swipe card.
    • The width of the smaller barrier is 64cm and the width of the larger barrier is 90cm and they both open towards you.
    • The height of the card reader is 97cm.
    • After the larger barrier is a second barrier which is 96cm wide.

Opening Times (Medical Library - Reception)

  • Monday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 21:00.
  • Saturday 13:30 - 17:00.
  • Sunday Closed.

Reception (Medical Library)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located immediately to the right as you enter the Medical Library.
    • The reception point is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Medical Library entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are no windows, glazed screens or mirrors behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the low section of the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a bell to attract attention.
    • The bell is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The type of system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 08/04/2023.
    • The hearing assistance system was not working at the time of testing.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Comments View
    • There is a second part of the reception which is located immediately to the right as you enter the Medical Library.
    • The height of this part of the reception is 123cm and the height of the bell is 128cm.

Library (Medical Library)

  • The library is located on the lower ground floor of the main hospital building.
  • The library is 6m from the Medical Library entrance.
  • There is step-free access into the library.
  • There is step-free access within the library.
  • The type of flooring in the library is carpet.
  • There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • The reception staff can get books ordered on request from South Kensington which offer assistive reading services.
    There is also an app called 'Libby' which can provide audio books to Imperial College London students and NHS staff.
    For more information on disability support, please click here.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • Equipment available for people with a visual impairment includes coloured overlays for book pages.
  • There is a self service book borrow/return machine available.
  • The self service machine touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There are no reading/study desks available.
  • There are no height adjustable desks available.
  • The seats do not have armrests.
  • A member of staff is available to provide assistance.
  • The library does have a computer area.
  • The computer area is located in the centre of the library.
  • There is step-free access to the computer area.
  • The majority of the computer desk(s) are 73cm in height.
  • There are no height adjustable desks in this area.
  • The library does have computers with accessible software.
  • The computers are installed with a 'Software Hub' which provides inclusive technology. For more information, please contact the reception staff.
  • Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
  • A height adjustable chair is / are available.
  • The seats do not have armrests in the computer area.
  • The self-service book return is located to the right of the Medical Library entrance.
    The height of the book return is 110cm.
    There are 3 bookable training rooms and a quiet study area within the library.
    At the time of survey (April 2024), the lights at the rear of the library were not working.

Room(s) (Training Room 1)

  • The room surveyed was Training Room 1.
  • Training Room 1 is located within the library, to the right after the reception desk.
  • Access View
    • There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
    • There is written signage for the room, in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • There is step-free access into the room(s).
  • Room Details View
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single.
    • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
    • The door may be difficult for some to open.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 91cm.
    • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
    • This room has a projector screen and a whiteboard.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
    • There is some fixed furniture within the room(s).
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 63cm and 67cm.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • Furniture can be reconfigured to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
    • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
    • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is carpet.
    • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are adjustable.

Room(s) (Training Room 2)

  • The room surveyed was Training Room 2.
  • Training Room 2 is located to the rear of the library, on the right.
  • Access View
    • There is an identical training room to the left of this one called 'Training Room 3'.
      There is a movable partition wall between the two rooms which can be used to create one large room.
    • There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
    • There is written signage for the room, in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • There is step-free access into the room(s).
  • Room Details View
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single.
    • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 91cm.
    • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
    • This room has a projector screen and a whiteboard.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
    • There is some fixed furniture within the room(s).
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 69cm and 70cm.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • Furniture can be reconfigured to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
    • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
    • There are no chairs with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is carpet.
    • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
    • At the time of survey (April 2024), the lights in Training Room 2 were not working.

Room(s) (Quiet Study Area)

  • The room surveyed was Quiet Study Area.
  • Quiet Study Area is located at the rear of the library.
  • Access View
    • There is not wayfinding signage on route to the room(s).
    • Signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
    • There is written signage for the room, in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
    • The corridor/walkway outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
    • The visual contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The visual contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • There is step-free access into the room(s).
  • Room Details View
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single.
    • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
    • There is fixed furniture within the room(s).
    • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 72cm.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
    • There are some chairs with armrests on both side within the room(s).
    • The type of flooring in the room(s) is carpet.
    • Floor coverings in the room(s) are even with no trip hazards.
    • The visual contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
    • At the time of survey (April 2024), the lights in the Quiet Study Area were not working.