The Leeds Library Access Statement

Introduction

We aim to cater for the needs of our members, visitors, guests and staff of The Leeds Library to the best of our ability. The following is a summary detailing how we do this. If you have any specific questions, please do contact us.

Pre-arrival

Leeds Library is 6 minute walk from Leeds Station and 9 minute walk from the bus station with many local bus routes available around the centre of the city.

There is a taxi drop off point on Albion Street.

The Leeds Library has no private car parking facilities.

We are constrained in the adaptations that can be made for people with some disabilities because our Premises are Grade II* listed as a building of special architectural interest dating from 1808. We do have a stair lift for visitors and have a wheeled walking aid and wheelchair located in our premises on the first floor.

You can contact us by telephone, letter or email, details are at the end of this statement.

Arrival

The Library’s premises are at 18 Commercial Street which is pedestrianised.  Vehicle access to Commercial Street is restricted to before 10.30hrs and after 19.00hrs. Vehicles accessing Commercial Street must be booked in with the council.

Main Entrance

The main doors to the Library are set back 275cm from the street. The door way has 2 glazed doors, which open inwards. Both doors measure 91cm wide.

Entrance to the library is controlled by a swipe card entry system and camera intercom system.

Entrance foyer

Entrance to the main library is up a sweeping staircase with a handrail to the right. The staircase has 3 landings; there are 10 steps to the first landing, 5 to the second landing and 5 to the final landing. Each step is 17cm high.

There is a stair lift. If it is necessary to summon the lift the operation buttons are set in the wall at the foot and top of the stairs. The down button needs to be pressed continually until the stair lift stops at ground level.

Staff are on hand to help with the stair lift if needed.

Mobile phones may be used in the area in the entrance foyer.

Main room

Entrance to the Main room is through two quite heavy semi-glazed lobby doors each 84cm wide. These doors can open both ways.

Immediately as you enter there is a security loop, which is 95cm wide.

The Main Room includes access to the Gallery, Reading Room, New Room, Men’s toilet, Archive room and Smoke room.

Access to the gallery in the Main Room is by spiral staircases located at either end of the room. Each stair case has 19 steps; each step is 20cm high.

Archive room

The Archive room is located off the New room gallery and is accessed by a spiral staircase. The door is protected by a number key lock. The door is 80 cm wide.

Smoke room

The Smoke room is located off the New room gallery and is accessed by a spiral staircase. The room is access by a double door each door is 55cm wide.

New room

The new room is accessed by 2 sets of heavy double doors, one at either end of the room. Each door is 62 cm; these doors are kept open during Library opening hours.

The New room gallery is accessed the staircase in the new room has 16 steps; each step is 17cm high.

Old Librarian’s office

The Old Librarian’s office is accessed via a door at the east end of the New room. This door is protected by a number key lock. The door is  96cm wide. The floor in this room is even throughout.

Bibliography passage

The bibliography passage connects the new room and the reading room. The floor is level throughout. The ladies toilet is

Reading room

The reading room is accessed from the Main room and the Bibliography passage. Both doors open outwards and are 85cm wide. The floor in this room is level throughout.

Ladies’ Toilet

Ladies toilets are accessed through the bibliography passage, up 2 steps; the first step is 20cm and the second 15cm high. The outer door opens inwards and is 86cm wide; there are two cubicles with inward opening doors, each 70 cm wide.

Men’s toilet

The Men’s toilet is located in the north east corner of the Main room. There is a single step, which is 20 cm high, to the outer door which opens outwards; this door is 84cm wide. There is then an inner door which opens inwards which is 65cm wide.

Basement

The basement is accessible from the entrance foyer and from the door beneath the stairs at the west side of the New room.

At this time the basement is not open for public access. When this becomes possible this statement will be updated.

Physical Library Access

Even floor access is available to the Main room, New room, Reading room and Old Librarians office, however not all areas of the library would be accessible by wheel chair.

Currently we do not have a loop system for those with a hearing impairment.

The Library does not have a large print books collection. Magnifying glasses are available on request.

Currently we do not have toilet facilities which are accessible to those with some disabilities, although assistance bars have been fitted in the toilets.

On the Library floor simple refreshments are available from the coffee corner. A serve yourself water boiler is available for use during all opening hours, and is situated in the east of the Main room.

Additional Information

Assistance dogs are welcome.

One computer and two tablet computers are equipped for access to the Library catalogue, staff will be happy to advise with this.

Out of hours, the door access system is used to allow visitor access to events.

Contact Information:

The Leeds Library
18 Commercial Street
Leeds
LS1 6AL

Telephone 0113 2453071

Email counter@theleedslibrary.org.uk

www.theleedslibrary.org.uk.org.uk

 Sarah West 24.05.17