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The Balfour Library

Department of Zoology (Zoology Building), University of Cambridge, New Museums Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ

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Access Guide

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Access To (Balfour Library)

  • The Balfour Library is located on the first floor of the Department of Zoology (Zoology Building), to the left as you exit the lift (middle of the building).
  • View information on Department of Zoology (Zoology Building) (opens new tab) .
  • View information on opening times
  • The most accessible route has a lift, steps, manual doors and shiny flooring.
  • There are 10 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • These steps form part of the stairs (middle of the building), leading from the Downing Street entrance on the mezzanine floor to the ground floor.
  • There is written text signage on or near the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access to enter the Balfour Library.
  • There are double manual doors which open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 99cm.
  • There are key card readers to enter the Library at a height of 146cm, and to exit at a height of 99cm. These are both required for out of hours access only.
  • There are security barriers after the entrance doors with a minimum width of 92cm.

Library

  • There is not step-free level access throughout the library.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the main seating/study area and some of the bookshelves.
  • Access throughout the library may include manual doors, doors permanently held open, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in the library includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, long tables and desks.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Owing to the large amount of natural light in the library, lighting levels may vary depending on the time of day and weather conditions.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 89cm to 110cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: large text.
  • The self-service book borrow/return touchscreen is placed on a 75cm-high table without a clear knee recess. The book scanner is 83cm high, while the receipt printer is 85cm high. Returned books should then be placed on shelves at heights of 10cm or 45cm once processed. The library is staffed during normal hours, and staff can provide assistance if necessary.
  • The library does not have a computer area. There are stepladders in the library used by staff to access the higher bookshelves.
    These may cause obstructions to some aisles and pose a trip hazard.