It occurred to me..

Musefan

That the James Joyce Library could be very difficult to use for those with motorized or push wheelchairs. The aisles between bookshelves are quite narrow, and most of the time they are littered with stepping stools which would make navigating them very difficult. As well as that, anybody in a wheelchair would have no way of accessing books on the higher shelves without having to ask for assistance.
I'm not pretending to have any idea at all of what somebody with mobility problems deals with on a day to day basis, but I think if I was in that position, I would find that not being able to carry out my studies in the library without having to enlist the help of numerous staff, would certainly affect how I would feel about my own independent learning. Though I could be completely wrong on this. Perhaps those who use a wheelchair have no problems at all with the library! I wonder can anybody enlighten me, I'm just curious

delta_bravo

I cant imagine wheelchair users being able to navigate their way around any part of the library really without assistance. The library would have to be 4 or 5 times bigger to have aisles wide enough for wheelchairs. I presume these students avail of the support of library stuff and the disability support services and while this may be inconvenient, theres no other viable option really.

**Timbuk2**

I'm assuming there's a separate entrance for people with mobility disabilities? I doubt a wheelchair could get through the turnstiles at the main entrance.

I think there's a big door into the library through the red doors at the end of the ground floor of the library (where the lifts to the maths department are)

TimeToShine

I think they just request their books at the reception and have them handed to them

TheVoodoo

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I'm assuming there's a separate entrance for people with mobility disabilities? I doubt a wheelchair could get through the turnstiles at the main entrance.

I think there's a big door into the library through the red doors at the end of the ground floor of the library (where the lifts to the maths department are)

To the right of the 2 entry turnstiles, there is a glass door, about waist height that is the entrance for wheelchair users. Or atleast thats how it was last year. And yes, Library staff / Disability support services help with anything that is needed.

LauraLuck

A lot of places on campus dont seem wheelchair friendly, entrance to newman building seems like a struggle....plus having to sit at the very back row for all lectures doesnt seem fair.I had thought about the library too when first went there. So many steps/obstacles in the way and now with all the construction work.

unknown13

The Disability Support Service have their own librarian. All Theatres in the Newman have a spot at the very back which is on the same level as the concourse for people in wheelchairs.

RandolphEsq

TimeToShine wrote: »

I think they just request their books at the reception and have them handed to them

Typical! Everything handed to them!

unknown13

RandolphEsq wrote: »

Typical! Everything handed to them!

Care to explain your post further

Fluorescence

unknown13 wrote: »

Care to explain your post further

I do believe this is what we call a "tongue in cheek" reply

CokaColumbo

It would be great if UCD employed a whole boat load of personal library assistants so that nobody would have to trek around looking for their library books.

**Timbuk2**

CokaColumbo wrote: »

It would be great if UCD employed a whole boat load of personal library assistants so that nobody would have to trek around looking for their library books.

Being honest I'd rather they had less staff and opened on Sunday instead.

CokaColumbo

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Being honest I'd rather they had less staff and opened on Sunday instead.

The UCD administration should temporarily enslave all of the engineering students and force them to build special robots which can navigate the library and get specific books for us.

parker kent

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Being honest I'd rather they had less staff and opened on Sunday instead.

Really, really bad idea! Enough staff have been cut and you have no idea how detrimental that is to the library. As I say elsewhere today, cut the 40 grand the SU spend on elections and give that to the library.

**Timbuk2**

parker kent wrote: »

Really, really bad idea! Enough staff have been cut and you have no idea how detrimental that is to the library. As I say elsewhere today, cut the 40 grand the SU spend on elections and give that to the library.

Actually, that's a far better solution. That, and getting rid of class rep weekends and whatnot.

TimeToShine

Funny how half the money we give the SU goes towards the glorified piss-up they call the class rep "training" weekend...