Library
Supporting accessibility
The Accessibility Support Service is here to support you, as a student or staff member, with making your learning, teaching and research resources accessible to you and others with visual, physical or learning disabilities.
The information on this page is also available as a booklet in PDF format: Accessibility Support Booklet (PDF, 0.6 MB).
Accessibility for you
The Library in Fountains Learning Centre is spread over 3 floors. It is accessed through the main or back entrances of the Fountains building and is accessible by either an automatic door or a revolving door, or by a first floor manual door in Holgate building. Access to all floors is by stairs or lift. An accessibility tour which includes escape routes, safe havens, navigation, and sensory needs is available.
Read our Accessibility Guide to Fountains Learning Centre on AccessAble.
You may need specific services and adjustments to support your access to library resources. Follow 'Your Accessibility Journey' on this page to get registered with our Accessibility Support Service and access your personalised support.
Your accessibility journey
Register for the Library's Accessibility Support Service
In order to register, you need to be able to declare 1 or more visual, physical or learning disabilities to us. You do not need to provide evidence.
If you have a Learning Support Plan (LSP), registering for this service will have been suggested in your LSP.
Receive your welcome email
You will receive a welcome email from the Accessibility Support Service which introduces you to key information. This includes:
- Information about being able to borrow up to 35 items at a time (see: Further information on borrowing, renewals and fines)
- Information about RNIB Bookshare Service for accessing accessible versions of books
- A direct referral to your Academic Liaison Librarian (to discuss your needs and specific options available to you), and, if appropriate, to the Assistive Technology Advisers. These staff members are here to help and support you with resource accessibility during your time at York St John University.
Explore available services and resources
Many resources available to you, either on your Reading Lists or ones you find during your studies, may already be accessible to you in their current format. Our Help with Reading online guide has information about getting the most out of accessibility and reading tools.
If a resource isn't accessible to you in its current format, you have 3 options available to you:
RNIB Bookshare
RNIB Bookshare is a website where you can search for and download books in more accessible formats, including PDF, Word, MP3 and DAISY audio files, and EPUB. An account is free and you can sign up when you register for our Accessibility Support Service, or by using the RNIB Bookshare Account form.
Read more about how to use RNIB Bookshare.
Document scanning or Tactile Copy request
If a book isn't available on RNIB Bookshare, or you need to request a different type of resource, you can request a document to be scanned. You can request all essential reading for a module, or request individual items. You can also request a tactile copy of a resource.
Request a document scan Request a tactile copy
Convert a file
If you have a file that you need to convert into a more accessible format, such as converting PDFs into ebook, text, audio or braille files, you can use the self-service SensusAccess tool.
Other services
Book Collection Request Service
If you need support to find and retrieve books or resources in the library, and you are registered with our Accessibility Support Service, you can fill in our Book Collection Request form with the details of the resources you need to collect. The Library team will get them from the shelves so you can collect and borrow them from the ground floor of the library.
You can only request books which are loanable. Reference Only books are for library use only. If you need help to get a Reference Only book from the shelves, you can ask at the Library Information Services Desk.
We are not able to process books for you to collect the same day you request them. You will need to allow at least 24 hours for us to receive and process your request, and collect the books for you.
The Library team will contact you when they are ready to collect.
Nominated collection
If you are sending someone else to collect or borrow books on your behalf (which we call 'Nominated Collection'), they will be required to show their ID and your student card each time they borrow on your behalf.
Postal Loans
You can register for Postal Loans if this would support your access to physical resources such as books.
Specialist software
We are typically able to offer a range of specialist software such as DesktopZoom and TextHelp Read and Write. All software is available on campus and some are available for your own devices. For other software available, please visit our A to Z software list.
