If you have any difficulties with using the library, or require specific assistance due to your impairment, please let us know. Through an arrangement between you, Disability Services and the Library, you can have your ID card programmed to identify any on-going needs you may have.
This page details specific Library-related access support services. Many other services are available through Student Services' Disability Support Service.
Due to the Campus Hub construction works, the accessible route to the Central Library has changed. Disabled access to the Central Library is now through the Maclaurin Building. Please consult the Campus Map for more information, and if you require assistance, please contact the Library's Disability Support liaison.
The north lifts in the Central Library have a 'voice unit' which will make brief announcements for the benefit of people with vision impairments. Students holding an Equity in Action card will get priority access to lifts. To obtain an Equity in Action card you must contact Disability Services.
Accessible toilets are located in the Central Library on levels 1 and 2, on level 3 (staff toilets) and on level 9; in the student common room adjacent to the Law Library; and on the ground floor of the Architecture and Design Library.
Accessible carparks are available by Cotton Building and behind Rankine Brown (the Central Library), at the Architecture and Design Library, at the Law Library, and at the W.J. Scott Library. A mobility parking permit can be obtained and bookings made via Disability Services.
Each of the University's libraries offers orientation tours to familiarise users with the library, show you how to search for books or how to use Closed Reserve. If you have any disability related needs that we need to be aware of when providing a tour, or if you require an individual tour or instruction, please contact library-tours@vuw.ac.nz.
A range of adaptive technology is provided in rest and study rooms within the libraries for use by students with impairments, (such as CCTVs for magnification, Openbook for converting text to speech, and ITS workstations with ergonomic peripherals).
On the 9th floor of Rankine Brown within the AV suite, there is a Kurzweil Personal Reader available to read printed material aloud to you. Also available in the AV suite are many videos and DVDs with subtitles or captions for hearing-impaired users.
The Central Library contains a room specifically for the use of students with impairments called the Sutherland Room. The Sutherland Room has spaces equipped with beds and a desk for quiet study and rest. It also has tea and coffee making facilities, study tables, a photocopier, Student Computing workstations, ergonomic furniture and equipment, and adaptive technology.
To gain access to this room you must register with Disability Services.
The Commerce Library has a reading room in RWW 230 that contains a scanner and hardcopy reader called Openbook. Openbook converts printed page into electronic text to be read aloud through its voice synthesizer as it is shown on screen.
There are many rooms to study in at Pipitea Campus. Mahi Nga Tahi is located on level 1 of the Railway Building. It has a rest room, study space with ergonomic tables and chairs and Dragon's Lair (a room with Dragon Naturally Speaking voice-recognition software).
If access is needed to the study room and/or Dragon's Lair, it is arranged by registering with Disability Services.
The Law Library has a study space available to students with impairments, GB 135. This room contains Student Computing workstations with ergonomic furniture and equipment. It is open to all students but those with Equity in Action cards have priority.
The Architecture and Design Library has a comfortable study room, although this is not specifically designated for students with impairments.
The following services must be arranged through Disability Support Services. Please contact a Disability and Inclusion Adviser if you require access to any of these services.
A Disability and Inclusion Adviser can help you arrange alternative format items if items in the Library's collections present you with accessibility issues.
Student Computing workstations are available in all libraries. These are provided by ITS. If you require adaptive technology or ergonomic peripherals for use with computers, please contact Disability Services.
Disability Services provide a range of ergonomic furniture, including high back chairs, which can be used in the Library.
With a supporting letter from a Disability and Inclusion Adviser informing us that you require extended time with books due to your impairment, extended loan periods can be arranged.
By prior arrangement library resources can be retrieved for you when you are unable to do this due to your impairment.
