Information For Patrons with Disabilities

Our Commitment

The Library recognizes and strives to meet its obligations to users with disabilities as part of its mission "to provide comprehensive resources and services in support of the research, teaching, and learning needs of the University community."

Library Building Access

The University of Chicago Library consists of six campus libraries, all of which are accessible to users with disabilities.

Accessible Entrances and Routes

• The John Crerar Library (Science, Medicine, and Technology)
• The D'Angelo Law Library (U.S., Foreign, and International Law)
• Eckhart Library (Mathematics)
• The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library (Interdisciplinary, Automated Storage and Retrieval)
• The Joseph Regenstein Library (Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences)
• Social Work Library (Social Work/Social Welfare)

See the University's emergency evacuation procedures for persons with disabilities for information about emergency procedures.

Restrooms

Each library building provides restrooms accessible to users with disabilities. For more information about library restrooms, including specific locations of restrooms accessible to users with disabilities and single user / family restrooms, see Restrooms.

Service Animals

Service animals assisting users with disabilities are allowed in Library buildings in accordance with University policies for service animals and assistance animals.

Assistive Technology

Enhanced Vision Readers

The library has 3 enhanced vision readers. They are located near the microform equipment in the 3rd Floor Reading Room of the Regenstein Library, in the Print/Copy room on the Lower Level the Crerar Library, and in the 2nd floor Wilson Reading Room of the D'Angelo Law Library.

Braille Display

A refreshable braille display is available for checkout at the TechBar on the 1st floor of Regenstein.

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices are available from IT Services.

Self-service Document Conversion

The University has a license to SensusAccess, a self-service document conversion site. SensusAccess allows students, faculty, staff and alumni to automatically convert documents into a range of alternate media including audio books (MP3 and DAISY), e-books (EPUB, EPUB3 and Mobi) and digital Braille. The service can also be used to convert inaccessible documents such as image-only PDF files, JPG pictures and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into more accessible formats.

Paging / Bookstacks Assistance

The Library offers paging / bookstacks assistance to users with disabilities. To request assistance, go to the Circulation Desk of the particular library where the item is located.

Library staff will page materials for users and can often retrieve the material immediately. Users who wish to browse collections may also request staff to accompany them to retrieve items from the shelves. Depending on staffing levels and volume of requests, it may not always be possible to fulfill requests immediately, but we will work to do so as quickly as feasible.

Ask a Librarian/Reference Services

If you need help with a research project, or have questions about the University of Chicago Library, our librarians are available to assist you.

E-mail

• Ask a Librarian/General Reference
• Bibliographers/Subject Specialists
• Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center

Accommodations for Library Services

Disability accommodations for Students

• Student Disability Services
  Campus and Student Life

Alternative Text Requests

For students receiving disability accommodations that include the provision of alternative text, you may use an online form for requests:

• Alternative Text Request Form

Contacts by Campus Library / Subject Area

• The John Crerar Library (Science, Medicine, and Technology)
  Deborah Werner, Interim Director of Sciences & Social Sciences and the Crerar Library
  773-702-8552 -- dwerner@uchicago.edu
• The D'Angelo Law Library (U.S., Foreign, and International Law)
  Sheri Lewis, Director of the D'Angelo Law Library
  (773) 702-9614 -- shl@uchicago.edu
• Eckhart Library (Mathematics)
  Jenny Hart, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science and Physics Librarian
  (773) 702-7569 -- hartj@uchicago.edu
• The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library (Interdisciplinary, Automated Storage and Retrieval)
  David Larsen, Director of Access Services and Assessment
  (773) 702-8626 -- d-larsen@uchicago.edu
• The Joseph Regenstein Library (Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences)
  David Larsen, Director of Access Services and Assessment
  (773) 702-8626 -- d-larsen@uchicago.edu
• Social Work Library (Social Work/Social Welfare)
  Holiday Vega, Librarian for Health, Psychology, and Social Work
  (773) 702-4941 -- holi@uchicago.edu

Additional Assistance

If you have additional questions or concerns about the Library's disability accommodations, please contact:

• David Larsen, Director of Access Services and Assessment
  The Joseph Regenstein Library
  (773) 702-8626 -- d-larsen@uchicago.edu