Access Guide
Temporary Closure - September 2024 to July 2025
- This venue will be temporarily closed for building refurbishment from 2nd September 2024 to July 2025.
- During this time, other libraries in the area will open for longer hours to compensate. There will also be Sunday openings at Prettygate Library, and a mobile library will visit Colchester High Street regularly.
- Please contact Essex County Council for further information.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Colchester Town Station.
-
Comments
View
- Bus stops are available within 150m via St. Johns Green (ramped/stepped access) or High Street (level access).
Opening Times
- Monday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Tuesday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Wednesday 09:00 - 19:00.
- Thursday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Friday 09:00 - 17:30.
- Saturday 09:00 - 17:00.
- Sunday 13:00 - 16:00.
Parking
- The venue does not have its own car park.
-
Public Car Parks
View
- There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
- The name of the car park is Vineyard Street.
- The car park is located off Vineyard Street.
-
On Street Blue Badge Parking
View
- On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
-
On Street Standard Parking
View
- Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
-
Drop-off Point
View
- There is not a designated drop off point.
Outside Access (Trinity Square - Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
- 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 164cm (5ft 5in).
-
Second set of doors
View
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The width of the door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in).
-
Comments
View
- There is a security barrier just beyond the second set of doors which is 101cm in width.
Reception (Ground Floor)
- The desk/counter is 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is a touch screen.
- The touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are good.
Library
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
- There is an ordering service.
- The library does have computers with accessible software.
- Accessible software includes Zoomtext.
- Auxiliary aids are available for computer users.
- Other computer auxiliary aids include height adjustable chairs.
-
Comments
View
- There are self service checkout machines located on the ground and first floors with operating heights of 100cm - 125cm.
Other Floors
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are good.
-
Comments
View
- There is an escalator to access other floors however, as of July 2024, the escalator was out of use.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the left of the reception desk.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1.
- The lift is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the main entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 95cm x 130cm (3ft 1in x 4ft 3in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not 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 controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
Reception (First Floor Information Desk)
- The desk/counter is 24m (26yd 9in) from the lift.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- Level access to the desk/counter is via lift.
- The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- The hearing assistance system is not signed.
- Staff are not trained to use the system.
- The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
Other Floors (Study Gallery)
-
Steps
View
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1-Mezzanine.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- 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.
- The lighting levels are medium.
-
Other
View
- The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are Study Gallery.
Changing Places
-
Location and access
View
- The facility is located to the left as you enter.
- The facility is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access into the facility.
-
Dimensions and features
View
- You do need a key for the facility.
- It is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from a member of staff.
- The door opens inwards.
- The width of the door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The dimensions of the facility are 278cm x 378cm (9ft 1in x 12ft 5in).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 180cm (5ft 11in).
- The facility hoist is powered overhead.
- The overhead hoist covers all areas in cubicle.
- The sling is attached to the hoist by loop.
- The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
- The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 82cm (2ft 8in).
- The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 165cm (5ft 5in).
- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Dropdown rails are provided for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the dropdown rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The type of wash basin is adjustable.
- Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
- As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- A privacy screen is available.
- Wide tear off paper roll is available.
- The facility has a non-slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is available.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor Right Hand Transfer)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
-
Location and Access
View
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter the Library.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
-
Features and Dimensions
View
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key can be obtained from ground floor reception.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 70cm (2ft 4in).
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 135cm x 295cm (4ft 5in x 9ft 8in).
- There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 69cm (2ft 3in).
- There is no dropdown rail for the toilet.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are sanitary disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
-
Position of Fixtures
View
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are not 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 not a hand dryer.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- 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).
-
Colour Contrast and Lighting
View
- There is a low colour contrast between the external door and wall.
- There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
- The lighting levels are good.
-
Baby Change Facilities
View
- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the Accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 78cm (2ft 7in).
Additional Info
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- This service cannot be requested.