Here at UHBW Library and Learning Hub we’re working to make the library spaces as accessible as possible. This includes both our physical library spaces in Bristol and in Weston, as well as our online collections. It’s important to us that we provide an inclusive service so that everyone can benefit from our services.
Improving the accessibility of our spaces is an ongoing process, and we welcome any feedback or suggestions that you think can help us achieve this. UHBW Library and Learning Hub is a space where everyone is welcome.
Have a look at our FAQs to see how we’ve made our spaces more accessible.
In Bristol you’ll find the library on level 5 of the Education and Research Centre, and in Weston the library can be found on the ground floor of the Academy building.
Externally, both libraries have accessible entrances with ramps, and inside both are close to lifts and stairs where needed.
Both libraries are also closely located to both standard and disabled toilets. Please ask a member of staff if you need help locating these.
All Trust PCs have narration software, screen magnification options, closed captions and colour filter options. You can find and adjust this by searching "Ease of Access" in the computer search bar. If you are having trouble locating these settings, please ask a member of library staff for assistance.
You can also use Ability Net to find easy to understand tutorials on how to make the operating system on your device more accessible.
For specialist speech-to-text and text-to-speech software, please see our equipment and software FAQs.
Our libraries are accessible out of hours with a UHBW ID card.
If you’re based in Weston the library will be automatically added to your ID card, and you can use the library 24/7.
Access to the Bristol library, from 7am to 10pm 7 days a week, is only available to library members. To have the library added to your ID card, please complete our membership form. If you have any issues with accessing the library, please do email us.
Both sites are quiet places to work and relax away from the wards and offices, but if you need somewhere more private our libraries have 2 study pods each:
In Weston, both pods can fit 2 people, however in Bristol only one pod can fit 2 people. The other pod is fitted with a desk and stool for 1 person
Our pods are soundproofed and are fitted with lights, desks, and chairs. If you would like a book a Pod, please contact us. Please be aware, Pods can only be reserved for a maximum of 2 hours, and due to fitted furniture they are not wheelchair accessible.
Refreshments are allowed in both libraries, however, please be respectful of others and library staff when eating, drinking, and disposing of waste. Water bottle refill stations, vending machines, and hot drink making facilities are located within the libraries or can be found close by. Please do ask a member of staff if you need help locating these.
Both libraries are well lit with windows, which have blinds, and overhead lighting. Air Con is also available in both libraries, with adjustable thermostats accessible to library users. Please be aware the Air Con in Bristol is only turned at weekends during the summer.
Assistance dogs are very welcome in both locations.
Medical emergencies:
First-aid kits are provided in both libraries, and there are designated first-aiders in both buildings. Their names are displayed on the relevant notice boards in the libraries.
In the case of a medical emergency, please call (9)999 in Bristol and 222 in Weston. During office hours, please also notify a member of staff so they can direct the paramedics on arrival. Should a medical emergency occur out of hours, you will need to let the paramedics in to the buildings.
Non-medical emergencies:
In the event of a non-medical emergency please call the Trust’s Security teams on (01173) 22945 in Bristol and 3648 in Weston
Fire:
Both Bristol and Weston libraries have staff members who are trained as fire wardens.
Fire exits in Weston are at ground level.
Should the fire alarm go off during your visit to Bristol please leave the library through the nearest door and proceed down the stairs as directed by the fire wardens. The fire door in Bristol is located at the back of the library with the fire exit down the back stairs which open onto Upper Maudlin Street. Evacuation chairs can be found in the stairwell on every level of the Education and Research Centre.
Library staff can help by finding and retrieving books from the shelves at the point of need
If you’re unable to visit the library we can hold your requested book on our reservation trolley or we can post it to you. Please note we can only post books to work addresses only. Alternatively, you can nominate a colleague to collect instead.
Our standard loan period is 4 weeks with 3 renewals available. All loans can be renewed via phone, email, online through your library account, via our self-issue machine, or you can ask for a renewal in person. Further renewals after 3 are available, but this is at the discretion of the library.
We do not issue fines for overdue loans. However, we will chase and block accounts that have received 4 overdue notifications. We may also invoice for lost or severely long overdue books, and this comes with a £5 admin fee.
If you have a learning difficulty and require a longer loan period, please do let us know and we can add a note to your library account so that this is recognised. We are unable to extend the loan period of our books, but we can offer you more renewals instead.
Books can be returned to the library in person or via the post. If you’re returning a book out of hours, you can make use of our book returns box located in the corridors outside both libraries. You can also nominate a colleague to return your books if you’re unable to do so.
Alongside our physical collection, we also have access to a variety of digital resources via third parties. We have collected some accessibility guides to help you navigate as many online resources as possible:
eBooks:
Other online resources:
Both libraries have Trust PCs as well as empty desks should you prefer to use your own devices. Our PCs are available on a first come, first served basis; however, we can reserve PCs if there are mitigating circumstances. We also have a collection of Trust laptops available to loan for the day as well as a laptop riser available to borrow from both library desks.
Headphones and webcams are available to loan from the library desk. We also have some phone chargers which you can ask for at the desk as well.
Printing, scanning, and copying facilities are also available in both libraries, and library staff are happy to help you with these at the point of need.
The library in Bristol has a dedicated PC with speech-to-text (STT) and text- to-speech (TTS) software.
Dragon Professional provides both STT and TTS abilities for both clinical systems as well as standard Microsoft packages.
ClaroRead is TTS program for non-clinical systems.
If you’re interested in using this software, or you manage someone who would benefit from using it, please contact the ABLE+ team at ableplus@uhbw.nhs.uk for training and support. To reserve this PC please contact us at library@uhbw.nhs.uk.
For more general PC accessibility support, please view our FAQs about accessing and visiting the library.
Both libraries have ergonomic furniture throughout including adjustable chairs, foot rests, and mouse pads with wrist rests.
Both libraries now also have a sit-to-stand desks, which can be adjusted to accommodate wheelchairs. If you would like to use these desks, please email us at library@uhbw.nhs.uk so we can reserve a desk for you.
We have some Dyslexia tools available to borrow from the library desk. This includes coloured overlays, large sheet magnifier, and a line tracker.
All Trust PCs have narration software. You can find this by searching "Ease of Access" in the computer search bar. If you are having trouble locating these settings, please ask a member of library staff for assistance.
Our main method of communication is via email, through which we share word documents and PDFs. If you would prefer to be contacted another way or if you need an alternative format, please do let us know.
Our training sessions can be delivered in person or via Microsoft Teams. If you have a preference, or if you have any accessibility needs, such as needing the slides being sent in advance, please do let us know by contacting us at library@uhbw.nhs.uk.
We are in the process of improving the accessibility of our website and creating a website accessibility document.
If you encounter any problems with accessing any part of our website, or if you have any suggestions for improvement, please get in touch with us at library@uhbw.nhs.uk. We would be very happy to hear from you.
A disability is a condition, either visible or hidden, physical or mental, that effects an individual's ability to carry out normal day-to-dat activities. Learn more about disabilities by clicking the image below:
If you have any questions about library accessibility that we haven't answered, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
We also welcome any feedback or suggestions to help improve the accessibility of our sites and resources. If you have any ideas or requests that would enable you to do your job with greater ease, please let us know at the front desk or by email at library@uhbw.nhs.uk.
The Trust's website accessibility statement is available to read online. UHBW has worked with AccessAble to create detailed Access Guides to facilities, wards, and departments at our sites.
We regularly work together with ABLE+ to build and improve the accessibility of the library.
As an employee at UHBW, you can join the ABLE+ staff network for staff with both seen and unseen disabilities. The ABLE+ network provides an opportunity to meet with colleagues, share ideas, and gain peer support. You can find more details about the network on the ABLE+ SharePoint page or you can contact them directly at ableplus@uhbw.nhs.uk.
