Library Accessibility Information

The library staff is available to assist all library users in finding information, developing strategies for conducting effective library research, and learning how to use the library and its resources. Library staff will attempt to accomodate the special needs of its users who identify themselves as disabled, differently abled, or specially challenged and will provide assistance that overcomes barriers to accomplishing tasks in the Library that most users can do for themselves. Such users are responsible for notifying the library staff of their special needs and are encouraged to do so, in order to allow us to better accomodate these needs. Although levels of staffing and approaches to situations may sometimes vary from one campus library to another, the common goal is to provide all library patrons equal access to the services and resources of the Oberlin College Libraries. As with all library transactions, an individual's requests for assistance are confidential.

Specific Services Offered

Services may extend beyond those listed here, as every circumstance cannot be anticipated. When an on-going need for a particular user is identified, the use of other college resources, such as Student Support Services readers, may be more appropriate.

Research Assistance

Information desk service
Reference staff will read brief sections from reference materials, and longer passages from reference materials as time permits. This includes definitions, directory entries, OBIS listings, index citations, etc.

Other reference service
Individual appointments for research assistance or orientation to the Library and its resources may be scheduled with members of the reference staff. Appointments are generally limited to under one hour.

Individuals may be permitted to remove reference materials from the reference area for brief periods of time in order to use them in the Adaptive Technologies Center or other appropriate setting. Library users should consult with a member of the reference staff to arrange special use of reference materials.

Reference staff are unable to provide extensive look-ups, index searches, reading, note-taking, form completion, etc. Library users who require such services should confer with Student Support Services staff to make appropriate arrangements or otherwise make their own provisions for these services. In some cases, library users may wish to ask readers, note-takers, interpreters, etc., to accompany them to the reference desk, to an individual appointment session, or elsewhere within the library so the assistants will be better able to continue with whatever follow-up help is required.

Item Retrieval

General collections

Users unable to retrieve their own materials from the general stacks are encouraged to ask for assistance from the circulation staff; if staffing allows, we will retrieve the materials immediately. If this is not possible, they may request a search and the circulation staff will retrieve the materials within a day. In addition, reference interns at the Main Library and reference staff at the branch libraries may be available to accompany a user who is having difficulty locating items in the stacks. Situations include but are not limited to the following: an inability to reach items on the shelf, difficulty lifting materials, difficulty reading or interpreting call numbers.

Reference collections

Reference staff will assist users with the retrieval of materials from the reference collection.

Circulation of Materials

Readers from Student Support Services may arrange for extended loan periods for reserve materials, if approved in advance by the professor and the reserve supervisor, for the purposes of taping.

Users with materials from the Main Library needing frequent renewals, such as journals, who have difficulty handling them are encouraged to get a library carrel. The materials can then be checked out for the semester and left in the carrel. If they wish to use the materials outside of the library, they may arrange in advance to make phone renewals through the circulation desk supervisors. Materials may not be renewed if they are on hold for another patron.

Patrons unable to come in to the library to return reserve or recalled materials should ask a friend or RC to return the materials for them. If this is not possible, they must call a desk supervisor to discuss the situation.

Patrons having difficulty reading library notices should ask for assistance from Student Support Services. They may also notify the circulation day desk supervisor that they wish to receive a phone call when recall and overdue notices are sent to them.

Completion of Forms

Reference staff will verify and complete a reasonable number of interlibrary loan request forms as time permits.

Upon approval of the service unit, patrons may substitute their own neatly-produced written documents for any forms they need to fill out.

Equipment and Facility Use

The library staff will consider requests to circulate on a short-term basis materials normally restricted to "library use only" for photocopying at the Student Support Services Office. When this is not possible, or during those hours when the Student Support Services Office is closed, students can make arrangements with the Student Support Services Office to use a copy card issued by that office. When staffing and time permits, library staff will assist patrons who have difficulty using the photocopy machines.

In the case of a breakdown of the only public elevator in the Main Library going to the A-Level, circulation staff will arrange to use one of the keyed elevators to assist users in reaching the A-Level. Patrons may call the circulation desk if they need assistance returning to the Main Level. During the late night shifts, the monitor will call security to assist patrons.

Space will be provided in the Academic Commons for patrons needing to consult with their readers.

The Library provides space in the Main Library for the Adaptive Technologies Center in Mudd Center room 204. Keys for access to this room may be checked out at the main circulation desk.

For reader assistance, Mudd 204 houses one Mac and one Windows workstation, each with a scanner and reader software.

An Aladdin Classic black and white CCD text magnifying unit is available in the Academic Commons near the microform reader area

The Conservatory Library also houses an Aladdin Classic black and white CCD text magnifying unit.

The Art Library is not fully accessible without special assistance to patrons unable to use stairs. Patrons needing elevator access to the Art Library may call the Art Library staff (775-8635) for assistance.

For further information and assistance with the devices contact office of Services for Students with Disabilities at 775-8751.

For comments, suggestions, additions contact Alan Boyd in the Main Library Main Administative Office. 775-5015.