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VALE - Virtual Academic Library Environment
About the Libraries: User Services:
Library Services for Persons with Disabilities

Rutgers University, founded in 1766, is the eighth oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. As Rutgers has evolved into a major research university, the library system has also grown into one of the top academic research libraries in the country. Expanding from one library to 26 separate libraries, centers, and reading rooms located on three campuses, and RU-Online, a digital library, the libraries that comprise the system now occupy a total of 626,317 square feet, with 6,880 seats and over 3 million volumes.

Services

The staff will provide services and/or accommodations aimed at equalizing access to library resources. The type and nature of the special assistance is usually determined by the request. While most special assistance can be given at the time of the request, it may be to your advantage to make an appointment for non-routine accommodations so that appropriate staff can be scheduled to provide timely assistance.

Some examples of the services that may be provided, in addition to services such as document delivery or interlibrary loan, include:

  • retrieval of materials from the stacks
  • physical assistance with searching the Libraries' online catalog, related databases, and manual files and assistance with using microform and audiovisual equipment
  • reference or other assistance by appointment
  • photocopying assistance for on-site copying
  • modified reserve loan periods

For questions about more specific services at a particular library call the individual from each library designated as coordinator for services for users with disabilities, or for a smaller library, call the number listed in this guide. For answers to questions relating to library system-wide services or suggestions for service improvement, call the Libraries' Coordinator of Services for Users with Disabilities, Eileen Stec, at 732/932-9407 (x25). Services provided by the law libraries may vary; check with those libraries directly for more information.

For information about non-library services, call the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities at your college of enrollment or affiliation (see: http://disabilityservices.rutgers.edu).

Access

All libraries are wheelchair accessible. Information on the best path to each library is available by calling the individual library directly.

The Libraries' online catalog and selected databases are available on the Libraries website at http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu. There are terminals in all the libraries and campus microlabs, as well as remote access via your own computer connected to the University's network or via modem.

Adaptive Equipment

The Libraries are continuing to acquire adaptive technology for patron use. The equipment is purchased with the understanding that it can be moved from library to library as user needs dictate and as feasible.

Seven Kurzweil reading machines for visually impaired patrons are located in the Alexander, Douglass, and Kilmer Libraries, and the Library of Science and Medicine in New Brunswick/Piscataway; the Dana Library in Newark; and the Robeson Library in Camden. The Kurzweil machines are connected to disk drives so that data can be downloaded.

Six computers with WindowEyes software, which reads aloud what is on the screen, are available in the Alexander, Douglass, and Kilmer Libraries, and the Library of Science and Medicine in New Brunswick/Piscataway, the Dana Library in Newark, and the Robeson Library in Camden.

CCTV video magnifiers are located in the Alexander, Dana, Douglass, and Robeson Libraries, and the Library of Science of Medicine.

Some CD-ROM databases in the Douglass and Kilmer Libraries are equipped with screen enlargers.

Major Libraries / Coordinators

ARCHIBALD S. ALEXANDER LIBRARY
169 College Avenue/College Avenue Campus
Coordinator: Joe Abraham - 732/932-7129
Email: joseph.abraham@rutgers.edu

The front of the building has an inclined entrance with automatic doors. Elevators, with accessible controls and braille markings, connect all floors. There is designated parking in the nearby parking deck, in the parking lot on the Huntington Street side of the building and a handicapped parking meter on College Avenue at the main entrance. All rest rooms are accessible. There are accessible water fountains, telephones and study carrels. The copy center has an adapted photocopier.

LIBRARY OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE
165 Bevier Road/Busch Campus
Coordinator: Holly Muller - 732/445-3854 x110
Email: hollym@rci.rutgers.edu

The library has automatic outside doors. An outside ramp and rail lead from the parking lot, which has designated parking. First floor rest rooms have outside push plate door openers and adapted facilities. Telephones on the first floor are installed at wheelchair height. There are study desks designed for wheelchair access. The copy center has an adapted photocopier.

MABEL SMITH DOUGLASS LIBRARY
8 Chapel Drive/Douglass-Cook Campus
Coordinator: Penny Weniger - 732/932-9411 x12
Email: weniger@rci.rutgers.edu

There is a wheelchair accessible ramp at the rear of the building and button at the door to ring for staff assistance. There is designated parking in the rear parking lot. There is elevator access to all floors. There is elevator access to all floors. Accessible water fountains and rest rooms are located on the main level and rest rooms on the ravine level.

KILMER LIBRARY
75 Avenue E/Livingston Campus
Coordinator: Kevin McGuire - 732/445-3163 x113
Email: kevinmcg@rci.rutgers.edu

The main entrance has a ramp and automatic doors. Designated parking is available. Elevators connect all floors but assistance is needed to work the controls. Accessible rest rooms are location on all levels. The entire building is wheelchair accessible.

PAUL ROBESON LIBRARY
5th and Penn Sts./Camden Campus
Coordinator: Libby Hart - 856/225-6037
Email: lhart@camden.rutgers.edu

The main entrance has a ramp with automatic doors. Elevators provide access to all floors. Rest rooms, water fountains, telephones, carrels and study tables are adapted to wheelchair use.

JOHN COTTON DANA LIBRARY
185 University Avenue/Newark Campus
Coordinator: Christine Ingram - 973/353-5223
Email: cingram@andromeda.rutgers.edu

The library has automatic entrance and exit doors. Elevators, with selectors at wheelchair height and marked in braille, connect all floors. Rest rooms, water fountains, pay and campus telephones, and two photocopiers are adapted for wheelchair specifications. Most stacks are wheelchair accessible.

Other Libraries / Collections

Ask at a reference desk, or check the Libraries and Collections page, for information on the location of other specialized libraries, collections and reading rooms in New Brunswick, Camden and Newark.

Alcohol Studies Library      732/445-4442
Annex Collections       732/445-2089
Art Library       732/932-7739
Chang Science Library       732/932-0305
Chemistry Library       732/445-2625
Criminal Justice Library       973/353-3118
East Asian Library      732/932-7161
Jazz Studies Library       973/353-5595
Law Library (Camden)       856/225-6172
Law Library (Newark)      973/353-5676
Management and Labor Relations     732/932-9513
Mathematical Sciences Library     732/445-3735
Media Center      732/932-4685
Music Library      732/932-9783
Physics Library      732/445-2500
SERC Reading Room      732/445-4322
Special Collections / Archives     732/932-7006


Last updated May 27, 2008
 
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