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Hemel Hempstead Library

The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1HJ

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • There is a public car park located on Hillfield Road.
    • The name of the car park is Hillfield Road Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.
    • Electric vehicle charging points are not available in the car park.

Entrance (Atrium)

  • This entrance is located to the right as you enter The Forum.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are security barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 150cm.

Reception (Atrium)

  • Location View
    • The reception is located on the right as you enter the Atrium Library.
    • The distance from the Atrium entrance is 3m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • The flooring is patterned.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Library (Atrium)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in this library includes: armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables and coffee tables.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 91cm to 138cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: adjustable font size.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: Braille, large print, ebook and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: large letter key keyboards, high visibility/contrast keyboards, trackball mouse, handheld magnifiers and CCTV/video magnifiers.

Entrance (Main)

  • This entrance is located to the right as you enter The Forum.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 176cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There are security barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 163cm.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 110cm.

Reception (Main)

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead as you enter the library.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 3m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 100cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 73cm.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • 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 patterned.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high along circulation routes.
    • The flooring is patterned.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas and stools.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Library (Main)

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in this library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas and stools.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables, desks and booths.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 93cm to 138cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: adjustable font size.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: Braille, large print, ebook and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: large letter key keyboards, high visibility/contrast keyboards, trackball mouse, handheld magnifiers and CCTV/video magnifiers.

Meeting Room

  • The room is located to the left as you enter the main library.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 112cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 86cm.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables.
  • None of the tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a television with subtitles.
  • There is background noise in this room which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Announcements are in person.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is a small kitchenette in the corner of the meeting room.
  • There is a similar room next door to this room. .

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead as you enter the main library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 6m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The width of the opening is 92cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 151cm (width) x 226cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 86cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a wall sensor flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 99cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 93cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 85cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer which requires hands to be inserted into the top.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it was tied up at the time of the survey.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 133cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.