Location accessibility

The Library entrance is located on the 2^nd floor of the William and Henry Birks Building, and leads immediately to the service desk.

• The main door to the Library is narrow. The second door can be opened by a staff member.
• Shoes must be removed at the entrance to the Library. The area may be cluttered with footwear.
• Seasonal considerations: In summer, there is no air conditioning in the building.
• Enter from University Street:
  • 3520 University Street
  • Exterior staircase (13 stone steps, handrails on each side) followed by 2 manual doors with u-shape handle and thumb lever that opens outward. No automatic door activation.
  • 30 stairs between the first and second floors with handrails; slippery without shoes; dimly lit.
  • Seasonal considerations: in winter, shoes must be removed just inside the entrance of the building. The area may be cluttered with footwear. Seating (chairs with armrests) is available, and optional slippers are provided.
• Enter from side entrance:
  • Accessible entrance within the paved pathway between Wilson Hall and the William and Henry Birks Building (Accessibility guide p.6)
  • Automatic door with wave-to-open activation from the outside, and push-to-open activation from the inside. Door opens outward.
  • Leads to rear-basement level elevator 
  • Seasonal considerations: in winter, shoes must be removed just outside the elevator. The area may be cluttered with footwear.

Elevators: 1 external elevator, 907 kg capacity

• Operates between all floors of the William and Henry Birks Building (except for the Mezzanine within the Library)
• Floor indication: None
• Braille: next to arrow labels outside basement elevator; next to floor number buttons inside the elevator

Stairs: 1 staircase, 1 flight

• Slip-resistant surface
• Handrails on both sides
• Uniform riser height

• Location: No access within the Library.
  • Accessible for wheelchair users, gender inclusive washroom location: in the front-basement level of the building next to the elevator. Lighting operated by sensor. No automatic door activation.
  • Gender inclusive washrooms with narrow entryway located on the 3rd floor of the building. No automatic door activation.
  • Women’s and men’s washrooms with narrow stalls, no infant change tables or automatic doors, located in the front-basement. Accessible only by stairs.

• Location: None inside the Library
  • 1 fountain on the 1st floor of the William and Henry Birks Building
  • Approach: unobstructed, no knee clearance
  • Drinking fountain: operated by lever handle

• Location: 2nd floor, main floor of the Library
  • Features: counter-height desk, no toe and knee clearance
  • Sound level: semi-talking

• Study spaces:
  • a variety of workspaces and seating options available including standard-height desks; chairs, some with armrests and wheels, and others without; lamps mounted on desks.
• Stacks:
  • materials are shelved on the highest and lowest shelves. The aisles between some stacks are narrow and may not have enough space for people using a mobility device.
• Sound level:
  • quiet study
• Flooring:
  • uneven wooden flooring
• Lighting:
  • natural light from windows, table lamps, and overhead fluorescent lighting
• Equipment:
  • 2 computer workstations, 1 with public access

• Mezzanine: 
  • Inaccessible by elevator, stairs only
• Stacks: 
  • materials are shelved on the highest and lowest shelves. The aisles between some stacks are narrow and may not have enough space for people using a mobility device.
• Sound level: 
  • quiet study
• Flooring: 
  • uneven wooden flooring
• Lighting: 
  • natural light from windows, and overhead fluorescent lighting
• Equipment: n/a