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Avril Robarts Library

79-81 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2ER

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Learning and Information Services.

Location

  • The venue is situated within the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in Liverpool.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest mainline station is Moorfields.

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • The name of the car park is Smithfield Car Park.
  • The car park is located Smithfield Street.
  • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 128cm (4ft 2in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 190cm (6ft 3in).

Outside Access (Rear Entrance Tithebarn Side)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the Tithebarn side of the building.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).

Level Change (Rear Entrance Tithebarn Side)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located at the front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on the left going up the ramp.

Reception (Security)

  • The desk/counter is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There are security barriers to access the building with a width of 87cm wide.

Reception (Library)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the right as you enter the building.
    • The reception point is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 110cm .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 76cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of system is a portable loop.
    • The hearing assistance system is signed.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 29/07/2021.
    • The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.
    • There is wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is vinyl.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Security Barriers View
    • There are security barriers at the reception.
    • The minimum width between the security barriers is 100cm.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building via lift(s).
  • Circulation View
    • There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is vinyl and carpet.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
    • There are seats without armrests at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • A place of safety can be provided in any of the interview rooms if needed.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.

Library

  • Library Circulation View
    • There is step-free access, via lift, within the library.
    • The type of flooring in the library is carpet and vinyl.
    • There are potential trip hazards within the room.
  • Self Service Machines View
    • There is a/are self service book borrow/return machine(s) available.
    • The self service book borrow/return machine(s) is/are located on every floor to the left when exiting the lift.
    • The self service machine(s) touchscreen(s) is/are between the heights of 80cm and 160cm.
  • Library Services View
    • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: Braille, large print, ebook and audio.
    • There are reading/study desks available.
    • The majority of the reading/study desk(s) are 75cm in height.
    • There are some height adjustable desks available.
    • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests.
    • Laptops are available to borrow from the library.
    • Auxiliary aids are available.
    • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: CCTV/Video Magnifiers and Large Key Keyboards.
    • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: Large Key Keyboards and CCTV/Video Magnifiers.
    • The library does have computers with accessible software.
    • Accessible software available includes: Zoomtext.
    • A member of staff is available to provide assistance.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located on the right as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 8m from the main entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.

Lift

  • The lift is located to the right as you enter the building, opposite the library reception desk.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2, 3.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1150kg.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is low.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is low.
  • The clear door width is 100cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 120cm x 220cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are low to moderate.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 36m (39yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the rear right of the ground floor.
    • There are identical accessible toilets in the same location on every floor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 82cm (2ft 8in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 145cm x 194cm (4ft 9in x 6ft 4in).
    • There is not a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 66cm (2ft 2in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 90cm.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on all floors.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the far right of the ground floor.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 38m (41yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.