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Faculty of History (History Building)

University of Cambridge, Sidgwick Site, West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9EF

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Basement Floor - Seminar Rooms 1, 2 and 3
    Ground Floor - Seeley Library, Library Manager, Custodians
    First Floor - Board Room, Graduate Research Room, Junior Common Room, Graduate Kitchen, Library / Office
    Second Floor - Seminar Rooms 5, 6, 7, Faculty Meeting Room, Senior Combination Room, Librarian
    Third Floor - Seminar Rooms 9, 10, 11 and 12, Academic Staff offices, Historical Journal Office
    Fourth Floor - General Enquiries, Undergraduate Administrative Offices, Graduate Administrative Offices, Principal Secretary, Accounts, Personnel, Computer Office
    Fifth Floor - Chair of the Faculty, Director of Graduate Studies, Assistant Registry, Regius Professor, Melton Professor / Secretary, Pitt Professor, Academic and Administrative Staff Offices
    Sixth Floor - Academic Staff Offices.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on West Road.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
    • The on street parking is pay and display between 09:00 - 17:00 every day, maximum stay 4 hours. It is free for Blue Badge holders.

Site/Campus Car Park (West Road Car Park - Permit Holders Only)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located between the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall and the Faculty of English.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall, the Faculty of English, the Faculty of Divinity and the Faculty of History.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 400cm x 485cm (13ft 1in x 15ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is ramped access to the car park from the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall.
    • The nearest designated bay is 29m (31yd 2ft) from the Faculty of Music and West Road Concert Hall main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • All users, including Blude Badge holders, are required to have parking permits, available from the university.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are push pad activated.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outside Access (Rear Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Outside Access (First Floor)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 91cm (2ft 12in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of less than 2cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the right going up the ramp.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 8 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the left going up the step(s).

Reception

  • The Custodians Reception is located in front of you on entrance.
  • The desk is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is not staffed.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is/are 7 clearly marked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to library.
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • There is an enclosed platform lift which overcomes the steps.
    • The steps can be seen in photographs 1 and 2.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written and pictorial directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There is a push pad operated automatic door leading into the Junior Common Room on the first floor (shown in photograph 6).
    • Photograph 8 shows the Boardroom on the first floor.

Opening Times (The Seeley Library (Full Term))

  • Monday 09:00 - 19:15.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 19:15.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 19:15.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 19:15.
  • Friday 09:00 - 19:15.
  • Saturday 09:00 - 18:00.
  • Sunday 13:00 - 18:00.

Opening Times (The Seeley Library (Vacation))

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Entrance (The Seeley Library)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the middle of the building on the ground floor.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 126cm (4ft 2in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in).
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Reception (The Seeley Library)

  • The Seeley Library Reception is located to your left on entrance.
  • The desk is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Seeley Library entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are good.
  • The reception desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Lift (The Seeley Library)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to your left on entering The Seeley Library.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 500 kg.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the library entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The lift door is manual, opens outwards and may be difficult to open.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 125cm x 140cm (4ft 1in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a short, slight ramp leading into the lift on the lower level (shown in photograph 4).
  • Comments View
    • There is a short, slight ramp leading into the lift on the lower level (shown in photograph 4).

Library (The Seeley Library)

  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is not an ordering service.
  • The library does have computers with accessible software.
  • Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
  • A height adjustable chair is / are available.
  • Comments View
    • There is an Issue and Return machine located opposite the reception, shown in photograph 5. The base of the touchscreen is 102cm high.
    • The Seeley Library now also contains the Social and Political Science Library
    • There are some rows with widths of 80cm in the library.
    • Books numbered from 14.1 -16.40 have a small slope to access them. This can be seen in photograph 12.
    • The library mezzanine floor has no step free access.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
    • The stairs are located to your left on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 8m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on the second floor, on the third floor, on the fourth floor, on the fifth floor and on the sixth floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • There is a similar set of stairs to the rear of the building. This can be seen in photograph 2.
      There is another set of steps to the left of the building from the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 floors.
      There are nine deep steps with a handrail on the right, located to the left of the main entrance as you enter. These steps lead to seminar rooms 1, 2, 3. This can be seen in photograph 3.
      There is a set of stairs from the first floor to the second floor which can be seen in photograph 4.
      There are several staircases in the library from the ground floor and the mezzanine floor. These can be seen in photograph 5 and 6.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the standard toilets and seminar rooms 1, 2 and 3 on the basement floor, the staff offices on the sixth floor and the library mezzanine floor.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to your left on entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • The lift is approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 115cm x 101cm (3ft 9in x 3ft 4in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a push pad operated automatic door leading to and from the lift and front stairs lobby on the first floor (shown in photographs 3 and 4).

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located to the rear of the building on the ground floor.
  • Female and male standard toilet facilities are located on the basement floor area accessed by the rear staircase. There are also staff only toilets on the first floor..

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located towards the rear of the building on the ground floor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens by sliding.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 222cm x 272cm (7ft 3in x 8ft 11in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 152cm (4ft 12in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary, general waste (with lid) and pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 109cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 108cm.
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the basement floor.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the south staircase.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • It was not possible to access the female toilet.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The female and male toilets are located on the first floor, straight ahead as you exit the lift lobby.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 8m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • It was not possible to access the female toilet.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is available.
    • There are horizontal wall mounted rails available on both sides of the toilet.
    • The ambulant toilet does not have vertical wall mounted grab rails.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 85cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • The first floor toilets are for staff only.