Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include
Ground Floor: Journals, Books, theses, silent study space.
First Floor: Service Desk, Subject Librarians, Effective Learning Advisor, 3 Hour Loan, Printing Scanning and Copying, Group Study Room and Café.
Second Floor: Books, Group Study Rooms, Study Space, Individual Silent Study Rooms and Silent P.C. Labs.
Third Floor: ?Silent Study Space, Printers, Individual Study Rooms and Study Rooms.
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Comments
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- For up to date opening hours for the library please Click Here.
Location
- This venue is situated in the Riccarton Campus.
- The venue is in a pedestrian area.
- The nearest National Rail station is Curriehill.
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- There is not a tram stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
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Comments
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- The Riccarton Campus is located on the western edge of Edinburgh.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
- There is/are 11 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 360cm x 490cm (11ft 10in x 16ft 1in).
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Venue Car Park
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- Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 130m (142yd 6in) from the main entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
- The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
- There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The road is generally quiet.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- There is a designated drop off point.
- There is a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
- There is tactile paving on the dropped kerb.
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Comments
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- The information above is for car park J, this car park has two bays of Blue Badge Bays totally 11. These bays are located either side of the pedestrian exit from the car park on route to the Cameron Smail Library.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor level, opposite the Henry Prais Building.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 144cm (4ft 9in).
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Comments
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- There is no direct access into the library at ground floor level. Access is via lift or stairs to the first floor reception.
Level Change (Main Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope is located to the left of the Main Entrance.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 5 step(s) to the area/service.
- There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).
Outside Access (Side Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building leading from the Museum and Archive at the rear of the Mary Burton Building.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 165cm (5ft 5in).
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
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Comments
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- There is no direct access into the library at ground floor level. Access is via platform lift and standard lift or stairs to the first floor reception.
Level Change (Side Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
- The ramp/slope is located to the right of the entrance.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located just inside the entrance between the first and second set of doors.
- There is/are 7 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are bright.
- There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the step(s).
- There is a lift to access this area/service.
- The lift does bypass the step(s).
- The lift does not bypass the ramp/slope.
Lift (Side Entrance Platform Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located inside the entrance.
- The lift is a platform lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG, G.
- The platform lift accesses a small level change.
- The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the side entrance.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The dimensions of the lift are 80cm x 110cm (2ft 7in x 3ft 7in).
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Comments
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- The lift is operated by a key.
- The key is available from the main service desk.
- There is a phone next to the lift connecting to the main service desk for anyone who needs assistance.
Level Change (Entrance to Reception)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located to the left of the main lift at ground floor (external) level.
- There is/are 12 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are bright.
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the step(s).
- There is a lift to access this area/service.
- The lift does bypass the step(s).
Lift (Main Lift)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the left as you enter via the main entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 900kg, 12 persons.
- The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 140cm x 162cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 4in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The lift has a hearing enhancement system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
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Comments
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- To use the lift from the ground floor external to other floors a key card is required.
- A key card is available from the service desk on the first floor.
- There is a phone next to the lift to contact the service desk for assistance. The height of the phone is 110cm.
- Within the library a key card is not required.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the standard lift.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The lighting levels are bright.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The desk/counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is a touch screen.
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Comments
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- There are key card activated security barriers at the entrance to reception. The widest is 90cm, the narrowest are 66cm.
- The Service Desk is located on the 1st floor next to the security barriers.
- Wheelchair users do not enter through these barriers.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
- There is a slight slope, with no handrails, for access to further study rooms near the internal lift.
- The width of the ramp is 125cm (4ft 1in).
- There are various slopes like this leading off the main upper floor areas. There are slopes leading to the staircases on most floors. There is also a slope into the basement library area. One corridor slope offers a handrail on the left. The slopes are shown in photographs 5-12.
- There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
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Getting Around
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- There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
- There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- The lighting levels are good.
- This building does not play background music.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Library
- 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.
- There is an ordering service.
- It takes approximately 1 to 30 days to process an order.
- The library does have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.
- Equipment available for people with a visual impairment includes Jaws Software.
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Comments
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- There are 4 accessible study spaces on the first floor, to the left from the lift.
- Keys are required for the spaces (shown in photograph 4) from reception.
- There are various other study spaces and meeting/group rooms throughout the building.
Eating and Drinking (Dewey's)
- The following information is for the café.
- Full table service is not available.
- Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
- Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 7m (7yd 1ft) from the lift.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 38cm (1ft 3in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 108cm (3ft 7in).
- The standard height for tables is 70cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall only.
- Menus are not available in Braille.
- Menus are not available in large print.
- Picture menus are not available.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- The type of food served here is Hot and Cold drinks, Sandwiches and Snacks.
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Comments
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- There are also vending machines nearby.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are B,1,2,3.
- The stairs are located to the right as you enter the reception.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- There is a similar staircase to the left of the building. There is another similar stairway in the right hand corner of the building behind the cafe area. This stairway accesses 1, 2 and 3 only. There are single doors on each floor to access the other stairways.
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Comments
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- There are some easy slopes to exit the stairways.
Lift (Internal Lift)
- The lift is located to the left as you pass the reception on the first floor.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The weight limit for the lift is 800kg 10 persons.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 136cm x 139cm (4ft 6in x 4ft 7in).
- 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 have an audible announcer.
- The lift does have a hearing loop system.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lighting level in the lift is bright.
Toilet with Adaptations
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- 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 from the lift.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 360cm (4ft 9in x 11ft 10in).
- There is not a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are general domestic waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The shelf is higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
- 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 49cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
- 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).
- There is a soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 99cm.
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Toilet with Adaptations (Second Floor)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the second floor, to the left from the lift.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 22m (24yd 2in) from the lift.
- There is ramped/sloped access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is medium.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 97cm (3ft 2in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is medium.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is medium.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 163cm x 230cm (5ft 4in x 7ft 7in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 97cm (3ft 2in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
- There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are general waste (with lid) and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a cistern.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
- 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).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 98cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 73cm (2ft 5in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 98cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 95cm (3ft 1in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is low.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Comments
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- There is a heavy 88cm wide door which opens away from you (push) to access this toilet adjacent to the male toilet.
- There is a similar accessible toilet in the same location on the third floor.
- The third floor toilet offers transfer space on the left and a functional emergency alarm.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
- There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the first floor, the second floor and the third floor.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the 1st floor next to the accessible toilet.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the 1st floor to the right from the lift, near the stairwell.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- This is by lift.
- Lighting levels are bright.
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Comments
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- There are additional standard toilets available on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
SafeZone
- SafeZone is a free app based system for students and staff that enhances their personal safety. SafeZone extends the reach of campus safety and security, to cater for the real time needs of the people who use campus every day. It provides a quick and easy way for users to alert SafeGuarding Services, when help or assistance is needed.
- For information about the SafeZone please click here.