Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include the Carpenter Room, computer and internet centre, local studies room, reading room, central children's library and Graves Art Gallery.
- Central Children's Library link (new tab) - click here.
- Graves Gallery link (new tab) - click here.
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Comments
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- The venue is a registered Sheffield Safe Places and is Dementia friendly.
- The library will pay for a Calibre Audio Library membership for registered blind and partially sighted people.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Sheffield.
- There is not a tram stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
Opening Times
- Monday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 20:00.
- Thursday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Friday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Saturday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Sunday Closed.
Parking (Blue Badge Holders)
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- The car park is located at the rear of the venue, off Arundel Gate.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
- There is/are 1 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 360cm x 600cm (11ft 10in x 19ft 8in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 5m (5yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- The car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
- There is also Blue Badge parking for three hours on Surrey Street at the front of the venue.
- These bays are marked widthway only and are 250cm wide (photographs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).
Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off Arundel Gate.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 104cm (3ft 5in).
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 144cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located leading to the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
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Comments
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- This entrance is on the lower ground floor of the library.
- Wheelchair users, people with mobility problems and people with prams and pushchairs are accompanied by a porter as there is only staff access from this entrance to the library and to other areas within the building.
Lift (Accessible Entrance)
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located to the left as you enter via the accessible entrance.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG, G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- The lift is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the accessible entrance.
- Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 105cm x 135cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 5in).
- There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
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Comments
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- Anyone using this lift will be accompanied by a porter as there is no direct access to any of the floors in the central library or to Graves Art Gallery.
Outside Access (Surrey Street Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building on Surrey Street.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) both ways.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the door opening is 152cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 9 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
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Comments
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- There is an additional single door to the left.
- This door opens both ways and is heavy.
- The door is 76cm wide.
Entrance (Central Library Internal Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor, beyond the Surrey Street entrance.
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Entrance
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- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) both ways.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 146cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Comments
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- There is a single door immediately to the right of the double doors.
- This door opens both ways and is heavy.
- The door is 73cm wide.
- There are security barriers immediately beyond this entrance (photograph 2).
- The width between the barriers is 100cm.
Entrance (Central Children's Library Internal Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the computer and internet studies room.
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Entrance
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- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 63cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located beyond the entrance.
- There is/are 15+ step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the lift.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is a touch screen.
- The touch screen is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
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Comments
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- The lowest function on the self service machine is 26cm, and the highest is 118cm.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Library
- This library does not have a regular supply of books in Braille.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in large print.
- This library does have a regular supply of books in audio format.
- There is an ordering service.
- The library does not have computers with accessible software.
- Auxiliary aids are not available for computer users.
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Comments
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- There are computer desks and chairs, without armrests, available.
- The desks are 70cm high.
- There are some chairs with armrests in the auxiliary room, which is located to the left of the reception desk.
Reading Room
- The reading room is located on the ground floor, to the right as you enter through the Surrey Street entrance.
- Access to this room from the accessible entrance is to the right as you enter the ground floor foyer from the library.
- The entrance doors are double, heavy and open towards you (pull).
- The doors are 160cm wide.
- The reception desk is 6m from the entrance doors.
- The height of the reception desk is 75cm.
- There is no hearing loop available.
- The computer desks in this room are 70cm high.
- There are chairs available without armrests at these desks.
- There is a variety of tables and chairs with, and without, armrests throughout the room.
- There are two private meeting pods in this rooms (photographs 9 and 10).
- The door to the pod is single, opens away from you (push) and is light.
- The width of the door is 80cm.
- The height of the table in the pod is 74cm.
- There are chairs without armrests available.
- These pods are free of charge to use, but have to be booked in advance.
Computer and Internet Centre
- This room is located in the ground floor foyer, to the right as you enter from the Surrey Street entrance.
- Access to this room from the accessible entrance is to the left as you enter the ground floor foyer from the library.
- The entrance doors are double, open towards you (pull) and are heavy.
- The doors are 160cm wide.
- The reception desk is 4m from the entrance doors.
- The reception desk is 75cm high.
- There is not a hearing loop available.
- The highest desk in this area is 103cm, the lowest desk is 69cm.
- There are chairs without armrests available.
- The internal entrance to the central children's library is located at the rear of this room.
Other Floors
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Steps
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- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, 3.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
- The steps do have handrails.
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- There is a landing.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Lift
- There is a lift for public use.
- The lift is located in the ground floor foyer.
- The lift is a standard lift.
- The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2 and 3.
- Wall mounted information boards are provided at lift landings.
- The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Surrey Street entrance.
- Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
- The clear door width is 70cm (2ft 4in).
- The dimensions of the lift are 95cm x 95cm (3ft 1in x 3ft 1in).
- There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
- There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
- The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
- The lift does have an audible announcer.
- The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
- The lift does not have Braille markings.
- The lift does not have tactile markings.
- The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.
Carpenter Room
- This room is located on the first floor, 6m to the right as you exit the lift.
- The entrance doors are double, open towards you (pull) and are heavy.
- The doors are 140cm wide.
- This room has a fixed hearing loop.
- This room has chairs without armrests available.
- Chairs with armrests can be provided if required.
- This room is available for hire.
Local Studies
- This area is located on the first floor, 3m to the left as you exit the lift.
- The entrance doors are double, open towards you (pull) and are heavy.
- The doors are 140cm wide.
- The reception desk is 4m from the entrance doors.
- The height of the reception desk is 77cm.
- There is a security barrier at the reception desk (photograph 4).
- The width of the barrier is 105cm.
- This room has computers, DVD, microfiche and micro film machines.
- There are also computers to access" Picture Sheffield".
- The desks are 72cm high.
- There are chairs with and without armrests available.
Accessible Toilet
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located on the lower ground floor.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 165cm x 210cm (5ft 5in x 6ft 11in).
- There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 65cm (2ft 2in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is twist/turn.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- 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 sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The shelf does not have the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
- The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
- There is a mirror.
- Mirrors are 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within this accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 100cm (3ft 3in).
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Comments
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- There is a similar accessible toilet adjacent with the lateral transfer space to the left.
- This accessible toilet does not have baby change facilities.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the third floor.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the lift.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the female standard toilets.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 90cm (2ft 11in).
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Comments
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- These toilets are not open every day.
- The opening times are Tue–Sat 11am–4pm and Weds 1–6pm.
- There is also a shared standard toilet off the Carpenter Room on the first floor (photographs 4 and 5).
- This toilet is only available to people attending events in the Carpenter Room.
Additional Info
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents are available in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
- This service cannot be requested.
- Home visits / services are not available.