Hi

I posted a message to lis-link asking for information regarding extended
hours opening and service provision for disabled students. The message was
as follows:

I have recently been appointed at Durham University Library with
responsibility for disabled students and distance/part time students.

The main library at Durham has recently introduced longer opening hours. Our
normal staffed services are from 9-8 Mon-Fri and from 1-5 Sat and 2-6 Sun.
During these times disabled students have access to 1:1 help from staff and
are able to use a study room which has assistive technology in it.

From 8pm -12 midnight Mon - Fri, Sat morning and Sunday evening, staffed
services are reduced, there is a porter on duty to monitor the exit/entrance
area and deal with security issues and a library assistant who does 'behind
the scenes' work.  The only services available for all students are the
photocopiers, the computer room, and self issue machine.  This means that
disabled students can't get anyone to help them locate references, carry
books, or use the study room with special software in.

I am concerned that we are not complying to SENDA as we are disadvantaging
our disabled students further. I would be interested to hear from libraries
that have extended their opening hours but have reduced their services to
students, to find out what you have done to offer services to disabled students.


The responses I received are as follows. If any of you are not on lis-link
and do anything different for disabled students please contact me. Thanks Lorna

Aberdeen

Inform users in their fact sheet about limited staffing and not being able
to offer the same 1 to 1 service. Had no complaints but regularly review this.

UEL

1:1 service on a prior arrangement basis as they are staffed by security
guards during extended hours. They are reviewing this in light of SENDA

Keele

All P.C’s have software for Visually Impaired students’ and they have a CCTV
machine for print reading. Planning to buy adjustable height tables and
P.C’s. They don’t offer 1:1 fetching/carrying, this service is run by the
university’s disability unit. However staff do help with online and paper
resources. Would always give immediate assistance if asked. Don’t usually
have frequent requests for assistance.

Edinburgh

Assistive technology is in their LRC, only staffed till 6pm. Though it is
open access after this time. Offer 1:1 service during normal hours.  Require
students to give 24hrs notice on handing in a list of items for collection.
It has been made clear to users when changes are made regarding what is/is
not available and that the background staff in extended hours could help if
necessary e.g. with photocopying/access to building/self issue. Self issue
does not give extra time to Dyslexics, however if phone up next day this can
be amended.

Bristol

Have a keypad entry to study room. All students have the code, so they can
get in during all opening hours. This system does allow proximity cards so
they don’t need to use keypad, however their budget would not cover this.

Coventry

Many of their students have helpers, who are provided with an intensive
induction at the start of each academic year. No library staff in extended
hours other than security guards on entrance area.

________________________________

Lorna Hibbert
Access Support Assistant
Durham University Library
Stockton Road
Durham DH1 3LY
Tel: 0191 374 3045 Fax: 0191 374 7481

** From the 22/23 March 2003 please use the following numbers **
Tel. No.: 0191 334 42945
Fax. No.: 0191 334 42971

E-mail: [log in to unmask]