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Hitchin Library

Paynes Park, Hitchin, SG5 1EW

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the library in Paynes Park.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted and have markings which are faded.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 224cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 100cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 60m from the entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has slight slopes.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and visitors only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the library in Paynes Park.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 152cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 163cm.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There are security barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 112cm.

Enquiries Desk

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead and to the left as you enter the library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 6m.
  • 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 96cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
    • The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
    • 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 were even at the time of the survey.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors to open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include pillars and moveable physical obstructions.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor along circulation routes.
    • Some flooring is patterned.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signage is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas, stools and high stools.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Library

  • 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.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, sofas, stools and high stools.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables, high tables and desks.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • 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 fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 92cm to 140cm 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, ejournal and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: large letter key keyboards, high visibility/contrast keyboards and handheld magnifiers.

Creator Space

  • The room is located ahead and to the right as you enter the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
  • 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 written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a key pad at a height of 127cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • There is a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 85cm.
  • The door has a high 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 have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables and desks.
  • The desks are fixed.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is 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.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead and to the left as you enter the library.
    • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
  • 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 is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a low colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 198cm (width) x 266cm (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 145cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 97cm 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 74cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 80cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead on the left as you enter the library.
  • The distance from the entrance is 6m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Standard Lift View
    • The ground and first floors can be accessed by this lift.
    • The lift door has a high colour contrast.
    • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
    • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
    • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
    • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 147cm (depth).
    • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings.
    • The control buttons have a low colour contrast.
    • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator.
    • The lift has a separate door to exit.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located on the left as you enter the library.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Information Desk

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead and to the left as you exit the lift on the first floor library.
    • The distance from the lift is 7m.
  • 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 75cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has windows which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 92cm to 140cm from the floor.
    • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: adjustable font size.
    • 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.