Services for visitors
Accessibility
Entrances
You can access the front entrance and the Main Reading Room through automatic doors. Apart from the Petherick Reading Room, all other areas on the ground floor, including the Bookshop, the exhibition gallery and bookplate café, are accessible through open doorways.
There are 15 stone steps leading to the front entrance. The steps have hand rails that are lit at night. Car spaces for disabled access are on the south (Treasury) side of the building. During the Stage 4 building work to the Library podium, these six parking spaces have been relocated east, as close as possible to the temporary ramp. Signage and road markers will show these areas.
Ramps
You can access the building by ramp or make arrangements to enter on Lower ground floor 2 (LG2) by telephoning security on 02 6262 1376.
A temporary disabled ramp has been installed at the north-east corner of the building (adjacent to the bookplate outdoor area). This ramp will be in use for the duration of the Stage 4 building work to the Library podium, which is expected to be completed in late 2008.
Lifts and phones
Our lifts have control panels that are at a convenient height for people in wheelchairs. On the ground floor, opposite the entrance to the exhibition gallery, we have a public telephone that accepts coins and phone cards.
Visual and hearing aids
In the Main Reading Room you can use:
- MyReader2 enlarger for magnifying images onto a computer screen
- JAWS screen-reading software
- computers with large screen and trackball mouse
- magnification aids.
In the Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room you can use:
- computers with large screen and trackball mouse
- magnification aids.
If you have a speech or hearing impairment, you can communicate with us via our Telephone Typewriter (TTY) on 1800 026 372.
The Library's Theatre on the Lower ground floor 1 (LG1) is fitted with a hearing induction loop for improved sound quality for visitors with hearing aids.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available from the cloakroom on the ground floor. All reading rooms have wheelchair-accessible desks. Access to the information desk, the issues desk and some of the desks for using the catalogue are designed for access by people in wheelchairs.
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are situated on the LG1 to the left of the lifts.
Computers and WiFi access
You can access the Internet in most reading rooms. Email access is available in
the Main, Pictures and Newspapers and Microforms Reading Rooms. Microsoft Word 2003, Excel 2003 and PowerPoint 2003 are available on most computers in the main reading room (MS Word 2007 is not supported).
WiFi network access is available to all visitors who bring a device that is capable of connecting to a wireless network (eg laptop computer, mobile telephone or personal digital assistant). Registration a National Library Reader is not necessary. No login or password is required but there are terms and conditions of use which you must read and agree to in order to connect.
Please take the time to also read the Library’s Acceptable use of information and communication technology policy.
Facilities
Automated Teller Machine
An ATM, which accepts most cards, is available opposite the entrance to the Exhibition Gallery. The next closest ATM is located at Coffers Cafe in the Treasury building across King Edward Terrace.
Change machine
There is a change machine in the Main Reading Room (Ground floor) and Newspapers and Microforms Reading Room (Lower ground floor 1).
Cloakroom
You are requested to check large bags, coats, umbrellas or other large objects in our cloakroom. Enquiries about lost property can also be made here.
Copiers and printers
You can copy and print documents in most reading rooms. Please ask Library staff about digital phototgraphy.
