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Welwyn Garden City Central Library

Campus West, The Campus, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6AJ

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is the rear entrance.
    • There is step-free access via a slight ramp at the main entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the upper level of the ground floor.
    • There is an automatic door along one of the circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include pillars and moveable physical obstructions.
    • The first floor can be accessed via a standard lift.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: walking aids.
    • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: Braille, large print and audio.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located ahead and to the left as you enter the library on the ground floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the left hand toilet with adaptations.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the rear of the library on Digswell Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 7 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 226cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 110cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 8m from the rear entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a very easy slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and Blue Badge holders 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.
  • Public Parking View
    • There is a public car park located on The Campus.
    • The name of the car park is Campus West Car Park.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.
    • Electric vehicle charging points are available in the car park.

Main Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the library on The Campus.
  • 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 ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 212cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 212cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.
  • There are security barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 107cm.

Rear Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the library off Digswell Road.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not 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 is a single automatic door.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There are security barriers at the entrance.
  • The maximum width between them is 108cm.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located ahead as you enter the main entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 9m.
  • 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 76cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has a television 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.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access between floors via lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the upper level of the ground floor.
  • Circulation View
    • There is an automatic door along one of the 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 and stools.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the upper level of the ground floor.
  • 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 and stools.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables, desks and booths.
  • 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 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 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 and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: large letter key keyboards, high visibility/contrast keyboards, handheld magnifiers and headsets.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located ahead and to the left as you enter the library on the ground floor.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 14m.
  • 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 and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium 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 142cm (width) x 259cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 92cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula 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 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 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 94cm 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 105cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 91cm 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 and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 169cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 90cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a similar toilet with adaptations next door to this one but without a baby change table.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located ahead and to the left as you enter the library on the ground floor.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 27m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • There is an automatic door 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 control buttons have a high 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 98cm (width) x 133cm (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 and an audible announcer.
    • The lift has a separate door to exit.
    • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located ahead as you enter the main entrance.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides, which are within reach.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do 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 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Creator Space

  • The room is located to the left then right as you exit the lift in the first floor study area.
  • The distance from the lift is 27m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is an automatic door 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 115cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door requires effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 96cm.
  • 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 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 some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of 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 vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Study Area Counter

  • The counter is located left and then to the right as you exit the lift.
  • The distance from the lift is 12m.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has step-free level access.
  • There is an automatic door along the most accessible route.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 76cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • 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.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.