Last Updated: 04 Dec 2025 Views: 20242
How accessible is the Library?
The Library is accessible to students and visitors in a number of ways, you can use the contents below to browse the different topics:
Travelling to and around our Library sites
Explore opening hours and more information on each of our Library sites.
You can find a wealth of information on travel to our Library sites and ways to explore and use them on AccessAble, which provides detailed information on the physical accessibility of thousands of public spaces across the UK, including information on toilet facilities in the library, and nearby prayer spaces on campus. The University campus map can help you find a prayer space near our Library sites.
The AccessAble website has accessible information for the following Libraries:
The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE (Race Archives and Community Engagement) Centre is not currently available on the AccessAble website, click here to browse information for Accessibility at the RACE Centre.
Find car parking spaces near our Library Sites
Main Library Interactive Map
Find your way to Main Library and move between locations once there with our interactive map. You can generate directions between areas, with the option to select a route that doesn't rely upon stairs.
Hearing Loops (also known as an induction loop)
Hearing Loops are available at the Main Library Seminar Room, Main Library Blue 4 Teaching Suite, the reception desk at the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons (AGLC) and the AGLC Training Room (Room –104). These rooms are used for our My Learning Essentials workshops and Library Drop-Ins.
A hearing loop is an assistive listening technology that works in conjunction with a hearing device or cochlear implant to tailor the sounds to each individual’s hearing loss. They are designed to reduce background noise and improve sound quality directly from the source.
When signs indicate that a hearing loop system is installed, all a user needs to do is turn their hearing device to the ‘T’ position and they will be able to hear with clarity.
Height Adjustable Desks
Height Adjustable Desks are available at a number of our Library Sites.
Find out where our height-adjustable desks are located.
Accessible Equipment Rooms
Library staff aim to ensure that students registered with the University’s Disability Advisory Support Service (DASS), are able to make full use of Library facilities.
If you are registered with DASS, you may be entitled to access and use our accessible equipment rooms in Main Library and the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons.
Find out more about the facilities in the Accessible Equipment Rooms and how to access them.
Find out more about the support that is available in the Accessible Equipment Rooms.
Personalised Library Support:
The Library Experience Team can help you in the following ways:
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Support using Library Search to find items on our catalogue.
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Collecting books, journals or other material from our shelves.
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Navigating library spaces.
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Photocopying sections of books or journals (subject to copyright).
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Scanning sections of books or journals (subject to copyright).
If you are a student registered with the University’s Disability Advisory Support Service (DASS), you may be eligible for extra support below:
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Providing access to a book or other resources in an alternative format of your choosing.
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We offer individual library inductions if you need more time to understand the library’s layout and services.
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Provide extensions to High Demand library books if it takes you longer to read, and book retrieval including by a carer where that service is required.
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Advanced Orders service is available to some DASS registered students. It is a simplified way to request books. We place the requested items on the Advanced Order shelves in the CollectMe Room for 7 days.
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We also have access to RNIB Bookshare for students registered with DASS, whereby those with print disabilities can get alternative copies of texts themselves if they are recommended alternative formats by DASS.
Please note that students registered with DASS are not guaranteed all the support listed by being DASS registered. If there is something here that you think would be beneficial for your studies and it is not part of your support plan, please contact your Disability Adviser.
Free Period Products
The University of Manchester is helping to tackle period poverty by providing free sanitary products in over 100 toilet facilities across campus, including Library sites.
Periods are a part of life, but they shouldn’t be a point of inequality, compromise your quality of life or be a distraction from making the most of your time at university.
Find all toilet locations offering free period products on the University's interactive map
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme
The library supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. Students and staff can pick up a lanyard or pin badge at the reception desk of any of our Library sites to indicate they have a hidden disability that may not be immediately apparent and may need a little more understanding or time.
Find out more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme.
Contact us
For further information you can speak to staff live on Library Chat or you can find more information about the support available to students on the Library Support and Disability Advisory and Support Service (DASS) pages:
Library Support for DASS registered students
What support can DASS registered students get? (DASS website)
You can access further information about how accessible the Library is on our Library Accessibility and Inclusion Hub.
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