Disability support
Find out about the range of disability support services available within your Library.
Accessibility aids
Accessibility aids are available for use in all three libraries. Please ask at the Information Desk if you would like to use:
- different types of back-rest
- chair supports
- trackerball mice
- wrist rests
- whale mice
- coloured overlays.
Assistive software is available on PCs throughout the libraries and Extended Library Study Lounges. Please ask at the Information Desk if you would like to use:
- Texthelp - speech feedback software, available on all student PCs.
- Inspirations - mind mapping software, available on designated student PCs.
- ZoomText - screen magnification software, available on designated student PCs.
- JAWS software - screen-reading software, available on designated student PCs.
Access to facilities
We have a range of facilities for disabled people at each of our libraries including lifts, parking arrangements and additional support.
Access and orientation
The main entrance to the Boots Library is at the corner of Goldsmith Street and Shakespeare Street. A lift provides access from the street to level 0. There is an accessible street-level entrance to the Boots Library and Djanogly Lecture Theatre on Goldsmith Street.
Lifts and keys
The building is served by three lifts. A key is required to access the Djanogly Lecture Theatre from the lifts in the Goldsmith Street entrance area. Student Support Services will advise if you are eligible for a key.
For wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments
Workspaces with adjustable desk heights and low level print / copy / scan machines are available in various locations.
Accessible toilets are available on all levels.
Access and orientation
The library occupies two levels. There is a lift for access to level 1.
For wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments
Workspaces with adjustable desk heights are available on both levels and a low-level print / copy / scan machine located on level 0.
An accessible toilet is available on both levels.
Access and orientation
The library is arranged over one floor. Wheelchair users and mobility impaired customers can access the building via Smartcard through the main door.
For wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments
There is a workspace with adjustable desk height and a low-level print / copy / scan machine available.
An accessible toilet is available.
Access and orientation
The library occupies two levels. Wheelchair users and mobility impaired customers can access the building via Smartcard through the entrances on both level 0 and level 1. There is a lift between the levels.
For wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments
Workspaces with adjustable desk heights are available on both levels. An accessible toilet is available on level 0.
Enhanced Services
A range of enhanced library services are available for disabled students. To access these you will first need to make an appointment with a Student Support Services adviser. They will assess which of our enhanced library services best meet your needs and notify us of your requirements. We will then contact you to confirm when things have been set up for you and arrange any necessary appointments.
If you are a disabled member of NTU staff, please let us know and we can discuss which of our enhanced library services may be helpful for you.
Examples of enhanced library services which are authorised by Student Support Services include:
The Study Helper is designed to help supercharge your study time by providing you with free and accessible software to help develop your academic skills. Study Helper includes tools for note-taking, time management, referencing, study focus and reading software, as well as video demos for how to get started. You can access Study Helper through logging into NOW.
- Borrow one-week loans for two weeks.
- Retain long loans for the full loan period.
If you are having difficulties with specific items, please ask Library staff for help. We may be able to reserve other copies or recommend alternative resources for you.
You may nominate a proxy borrower, that is, a friend or support worker of your choice who can borrow and collect library material on your behalf. You need to notify us of the contact details of your proxy, and we will then hold their details on your library record. You can do this by email.
If you have a proxy borrower, you will still be the main library card-holder and you will remain responsible for any materials borrowed by your proxy and for any fines incurred.
You may be advised to register for our postal loans service. We will post items to your home address and we will cover the cost of both the outward and return postal charges.
You can give us a list of up to 15 items which Library staff will retrieve for you. Once retrieved, the requested items will be reserved at the Information Desk for you. If an item is on loan, you can reserve it in the usual way. You can either send us a list in the post or email us or hand it in at the Information Desk. Please give at least 24 hours' notice for fetch-and-carry services.
As demands on our services allow, Library staff will also do their best to help you when you visit the library by retrieving any books and journals from high shelves if you cannot reach them.
You can arrange to meet one-to-one with a member of staff. They can provide you with an individual induction to the NTU Library services, which can include a tour of the library, an introduction to NOW and general library services and facilities, as well as information about specific resources for your subject area.
SensusAccess is an online tool that can convert documents into a range of alternative formats. It can be used to convert inaccessible documents such as image-only PDF files, JPG pictures, and PowerPoint presentations into more accessible formats.
In addition, you could use it to convert your revision notes into an audio file to listen to on your way to university.
To convert a file go to the SensusAccess page and follow the instructions.
Still need help?
Contact the Library by phone on +44 (0)115 848 2175, or send us an email.