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Birkenhead Central Library

Borough Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 2XB

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Access Guide

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Overview

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the left from the main entrance, opposite the open entrances to the main library.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • Gender neutral standard toilet facilities with stepped access are located on the first floor.
    • The first floor toilets were locked at the time of survey.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • On-street standard parking is available.
    • There is a public car park located across the road from the library.
    • The name of the car park is Turner Street.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available in the car park.
    • Electric vehicle charging points are not available in the car park.
    • The Blue Badge marking and signage in the car park are very faded.

Entrance (Accessible)

  • This entrance is located to the right hand side of the building.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a steep gradient.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 145cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 148cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.

Reception

  • Location View
    • The reception is located between the two open entrances to the main library.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to the reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 104cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
    • The reception has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.

Library

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this library includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs, riser recliner chairs and benches.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Furniture available in the library includes: tables, coffee tables, desks, height adjustable desks and booths.
  • Some tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 100cm to 123cm from the floor.
  • There is a screen shrink option for the touchscreen to make it more accessible.
  • When made accessible the height of the touchscreen display ranges from 123cm to 143cm from the floor.
  • The touchscreen also has the following accessibility aids: adjustable font size.
  • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: large print, ebook and audio.
  • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: ergonomic chairs and handheld magnifiers.
  • Information can be enlarged by staff on request.

Connect and Inspire Hub

  • The room is located to the right from the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • Doors are held open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests and riser recliner chairs.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: coffee tables, height adjustable tables, desks and booths.
  • Some of the desks are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Learning Hub

  • The room is located to the left from main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 10m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There are double automatic doors, which are push pad activated.
  • The height of the push pad is 92cm.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 153cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 92cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: riser recliner chairs and benches.
  • Some seating is fixed.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables, coffee tables and booths.
  • Some of the tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables/desks is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is background noise in this room which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left of the main building entrance, opposite the open entrances into the main library.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
    • Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 190cm (width) x 420cm (depth).
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 123cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the right transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a varying colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a varying colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 46cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a medium colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 137cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 88cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • The toilet door is left open on exit for others to use.

Stairs

  • The stairs are located at the front of the building, on the right after entering via the main entrance.
  • The ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There is a handrail on the left going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 15cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Routledges' Reference Library

  • The room is located on the first floor.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 32m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has stepped access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is an alarm system on entry.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The doors require effort to open.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 75cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, armchairs and riser recliner chairs.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables and desks.
  • Some of the desks are fixed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • For people who cannot ascend the stairs, assistance in getting materials can be requested.

Outdoor Spaces (Pocket Park)

  • About View
    • The following is available in this area: gardens and walkways.
  • Getting Around View
    • There are surfaced footpaths throughout.
    • Surfaced footpaths consist of: concrete, tarmac and block paving.
    • The majority of the surfaced footpaths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
    • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: the upper area.