Access Guide
Overview
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About
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- Whipple Library is a medium sized library with 4 floors.
- There is 1 main lift and 1 main staircase within the library.
- The floors are signed as levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- There is internal stepped access between Whipple Library and the Department of History and Philosophy of Science via a staircase on level 2.
- There are no toilet facilities.
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue does not have its own car park.
- There is a drop-off point.
- The name of the nearest car park is New Museum Site Car Park.
- View information on University of Cambridge Car Parks - West Site (opens new tab) .
- The nearest train station is Cambridge.
- The nearest bus station is Cambridge Bus Station.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline.info (opens new tab).
- Related Access Guides View
Getting Inside
- The approach to the building is step-free and level with some uneven surfaces.
- The only step-free route to the Whipple Library is via the Whipple Museum accessible entrance and lift.
- The Whipple Library has two entrances. One entrance provides step-free access to level 1. The other entrance has stepped access. Both entrances have single manual doors.
- The main entrance is signed Whipple Library.
The accessible entrance doesn't have any signage. - The accessible entrance provides step-free access to level 1.
- The main entrance is located off Pembroke Street and has stepped access.
Getting Around
- There is step-free level access throughout the library on all floors.
- Floor surfaces along some circulation routes are hard and smooth, with some having a shiny finish.
- There is seating throughout the library.
- There is no wayfinding signage available.
Entrance (Accessible Entrance)
- This entrance is located on level 1 of the Whipple Museum, off the main corridor.
- The entrance area is not clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 117cm.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 76cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The door has a high visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Entrance (Main Entrance)
- This entrance is located off Pembroke Street.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 125cm.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- 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 low visual contrast.
- There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 115cm.
- There is stepped access as you enter.
- There are 20+ steps with handrails on both sides.
- The handrails are easy to grip.
- The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 18cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
Entrance (Library Entrance)
- This entrance is located at the top of the Main Entrance stairs.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is an intercom at a height of 74cm.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 75cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a second single manual door.
- The second door opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 86cm.
- The second door has a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
Entrance (Old Library)
- This entrance is located on level 1 of the library.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door has a locked extension leaf.
- The door opens away from you.
- The width of the opening is 74cm.
- The door has a medium visual contrast.
- There is a second single manual door.
- The second door opens away from you.
- The width of the opening is 74cm.
- The second door has a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
- The ramp has a slight gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
- The ramp is located between the first and second doors.
Reception
- The reception is located ahead as you enter the library.
- The distance from the library entrance is 3m.
- There is step-free level access to reception.
- The height of the reception desk is 109cm.
- There is a lowered section at the desk.
- The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
- The reception has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
Library
- There is step-free level access throughout the library, this may include the use of a lift.
- Access throughout the library may include narrow walkways.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
- The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
- Seating available in the library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and armchairs.
- Furniture available in the library includes: 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 use of large glazed walls.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This library is able to provide material in the following formats: ebook and ejournal.
- Auxiliary aids available in this library include: document holders, handheld magnifiers and headsets.
Lift
- The lift surveyed is located in the middle of the library.
- The distance from library entrance is 5m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
- Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 are accessed by this lift.
- The lift door has a medium visual contrast.
- The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- The external lift control buttons have Braille markings, tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift door opening width is 97cm.
- The internal dimensions of the lift are 102cm (width) x 148cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have a medium visual contrast, Braille markings and tactile markings.
- All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- Staff must be notified to use this lift.
Stairs
- The stairs surveyed are located in the middle of the library.
- Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be accessed by these stairs.
- There are 8 steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
- 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 height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 17cm.
- The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
- Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.