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West Smithfield Library

Queen Mary University of London, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Opening Times (Library)

  • Monday 12:00 - 20:00.
  • Tuesday 12:00 - 20:00.
  • Wednesday 12:00 - 20:00.
  • Thursday 12:00 - 20:00.
  • Friday 12:00 - 20:00.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.
  • Comments View
    • Library staff are available between the hours of 12pm-2pm, Monday to Friday.

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There are Blue Badge bays located to the left of King Henry VIII gate off West Smithfield. These have dimensions of 190cm X 490cm. They are about 100m from the venue.
    • There is also standard pay and display parking to the left of the Henry VIII Gate.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at this entrance.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The card reader/lock is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 106cm (3ft 6in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp or slope does not bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is moderate.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the right going up.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 1 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the left of the library.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 134cm (4ft 5in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • The ramp or slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is moderate.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located to the left as you face the entrance.
    • There is / are 3 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • These doors are kept locked. To have them opened contact a member of staff.

Entrance (Library Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the left on entrance from the accessible entrance.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Lift View
    • There is a lift to access this entrance.
    • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Lift (Library Entrance)

  • There is not a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located leading to the internal library entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the outside access.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The lift door is manual, light and opens outwards.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 90cm x 105cm (2ft 11in x 3ft 5in).
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is low.

Entrance (IT Lab)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located beside the main entrance.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 108cm (3ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of and immediately beyond the entrance.
    • There is / are 15+ step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the left going up.
  • Comments View
    • This entrance provides access to the IT Room and is primarily used to access the IT Room outside the Library opening hours.

Reception (Library)

  • The desk/counter is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the library entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The lighting levels are low.
  • The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The desk/counter is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is a touch screen.
  • The touch screen is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Comments View
    • There are entrance and exit gates with widths of 100cm. There is a security barrier with a width of 98cm to exit the library.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are low.
  • Comments View
    • On the first floor of the library the gap between the bookshelves and the balustrade is only 50cm (as shown in photograph 3 and 4).

Library

  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in large print.
  • This library does not have a regular supply of books in audio format.
  • There is an ordering service.
  • The library does not have computers with accessible software.

Other Floors (Library (B-G))

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B and G.
    • The stairs are located to the left on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 6m from the library entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the stairwell on the basement floor.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • 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.

Other Floors (Library (G-1))

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • The stairs are located to the left on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 8m from the library entrance.
    • There are 15 steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are low.
    • 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 not a landing.
    • There are alternate sets of stairs to the first floor area as can be seen in photograph 2. These stairs have handrails on both sides for part of the way up.

Computer Room(s) (IT Lab)

  • Directional and locational signage for the room(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is not step free access into the room(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are not even.
  • Comments View
    • Outside of library opening times the room is accessed by the IT lab entrance only.
    • During library opening hours the room is located at the bottom of the stairs on the basement floor.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the IT Lab Entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located between the first and second entrance doors into the IT Lab.
    • There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 227cm (6ft 7in x 7ft 5in).
    • There is not a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 148cm (4ft 10in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • 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 a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • The nearest toilets are located on the ground floor of the Robin Brook Building. Please see the relevant guide for more details.