Accessibility

Library Facilities

Parking

Accessible parking spaces are designated on the campus parking and accessibility map. Click on the interactive map for accessible parking spaces, entrances, and locations of the library buildings.

Accessible Parking Permit Information

Accessible parking permits for visitors, faculty, staff, and students may be purchased at the Parking Services Office located in the Campus Drive Parking Deck, 451 Campus Drive East. For additional information, visit The University of Alabama Parking Services website.

Entrances

Curb cuts and accessible entrances are designated on the accessibility map. These library entrances have push-button door openers:

• Bruno Library: Stadium Drive entrance (ramp access) and quadrangle-side entrance (ground level)
• Gorgas Library: Capstone Drive entrance (ground level)
• Hoole Library: Hackberry Lane entrance (ground level)
• Rodgers Library: Entrance across from Fresh Food Company and SERC (ramp access)

Elevators

All library floors are accessible by elevator with the following exceptions:

Restrooms

Restrooms in the libraries are wheelchair accessible with the following exceptions:

• Gorgas Library has two fully accessible restrooms: one on the 1st floor (near the Information Desk) and one on the 5th floor (staff floor, not accessible after 4:45 pm). The restroom on the second floor is accessible to most wheelchairs.

Telephones

All libraries have wheelchair accessible courtesy telephones. If you need help locating a telephone, please ask at the nearest service desk.

Rescue Assistance

In the event of an emergency, if you are unable to evacuate or need assistance evacuating, contact the University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD) at (205) 348-5454 and provide your location within the building. Attempt to get to an Area of Rescue Assistance and use the call button to notify UAPD of your location.

• Bruno Library: Areas of Rescue Assistance are the located in the north and south stairwells, first and second floors.
• Gorgas Library: Areas of Rescue Assistance are the located in the northwest and northeast interior stairwells, southeast and southwest stairwells.

Library Materials and Services

Upon request, library staff can assist library users with disabilities with:

• Using research tools such as Scout, the classic catalog, databases, e-book and e-journal collections, and more
• Locating and retrieving library materials
• Looking for digital versions of library materials
• Making copies or scanning documents on public photocopiers and scanners as time permits (when possible, please contact the library in advance for this service)
• Arranging extended loan periods for course reserve materials
• Using accessibility and other software available in the Libraries

The following information about library materials and services may be of particular interest to users with disabilities.

Alternate Formats

Many of the Libraries materials already exist in electronic versions; check Scout, the classic catalog, our databases, or the e-book and e-journal collections to see if there is an existing electronic copy of the material you seek. The University of Alabama Libraries is a HathiTrust partner institution. Users with print disabilities receive special access to in-copyright materials in HathiTrust if the materials are held currently, or have been held previously, by the Libraries. See HathiTrust Print Disabilities Access: Service Description and Requirements for terms and conditions. Associate Dean Millie Jackson is the Libraries Proxy. Audio, large-print, or Braille versions of books may be available through Interlibrary Loan. Public scanners are available in Bruno, Gorgas, and Rodgers libraries. Adobe Acrobat DC software can be used to convert scanned materials into accessible PDFs. It is installed on all computers in Bruno, Gorgas, Hoole, and Rodgers libraries. For additional alternate format needs, contact the Office of Disability Services.

Electronic Resources

Your library liaison can provide accessibility information for library databases, e-book and e-journal platforms, and other electronic resources.

Renewals

Library users can renew items online via My Library. Once a year, all items must be physically brought to the library to be renewed. Circulation Services is happy to arrange for assistance with this process if needed; please contact one of the librarians listed on the Renewing page before the due date.

Proxy Borrowing

Library users with disabilities can authorize another person to check out materials on their account by completing a Proxy Borrowing Form and submitting it to any of the University Libraries. A proxy borrower may be a student, staff person, or immediate family member. Items can also be borrowed through interlibrary loan by proxy.

Research Help

Library users may request help at the nearest service desk or by contacting the library. Library liaisons provide in-depth assistance with your research needs. Contact a library liaison for research help via email or telephone or to set up an appointment. The Ask a Librarian electronic reference service provides instant answers to many frequently asked questions. Search for instant answers; if nothing matches, submit your question for a quick response. Explore subject and course-specific resources in Research Guides curated by UA librarians. These Tutorials and Instructional Videos are designed to help you use library services and resources.

Tours and Instruction

Personal tours based on individual interests and access needs can be arranged through your library liaison.

Library Technologies

Computers Workstations

All libraries have wheelchair accessible computer workstations. If you need help locating a workstation, please ask at the nearest service desk.

Assistive Software

Information about the accessibility software available in the Libraries can be found on the Libraries Software List. Screen magnification (ZoomText) and reading (JAWS, ZoomText) software are available, along with text to speech software (NaturalReader) and software for music notation and conversion (GOODFEEL, Lime, and SharpEye). Many accessibility features come standard with the operating systems and other software on our public computers. Your library liaison can provide accessibility information for library databases, e-book and e-journal platforms, and other electronic resources.

Assistive Equipment

Laptops, iPads, and headphones are available for checkout at most of our libraries. Hoole Library also offers a video magnifier.

Accessibility at UA

In keeping with its mission and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and other applicable laws, The University of Alabama is committed to providing qualified persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all programs and services offered by the University. UA Libraries works with campus partners such as the Office of Disabilities Services (ODS), Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Department of Human Resources, and the CIT Emerging Technology and Accessibility group to ensure our programs and services are inclusive and accessible and to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations.