Accessibility
The library staff is committed to assisting all library users in finding information, developing strategies for conducting effective library research, and learning how to use the library facilities and resources. The libraries strive to make our resources universally available, and when needed, library staff will attempt to accommodate the needs of users who identify as having a disability. Requests for assistance are confidential.
Elizabeth Sullivan is the library staff liaison to disability resources. Contact her at elizabeth.sullivan@oberlin.edu or 440-775-5072 with questions, feedback, or requests for the library to provide assistance or remediation.
Services Offered
Research Appointments
Schedule an individual research appointment for research assistance or orientation to the Library and its resources.
Test Taking Spaces
For faculty who need accommodations for a space for students to take tests, please contact us at reference@oberlin.edu
E-Text or Audio File Availability
The library website is designed to meet the WCAG 2.1 standard for web accessibility. Many external library platforms provide electronic content in PDF or html format that is compatible with external text-to-speech and screen reading software such as Kurzweil, the Kurzweil Read the Web plugin, and VoiceOver. If you require assistance with an inaccessible PDF or require other remediation of content from a library platform, contact Elizabeth Sullivan, elizabeth.sullivan@oberlin.edu.
Some library databases and online reference sources now make audio versions of their text files available: Factiva, Gale Virtual Reference Library, selected content in EBSCOHost.
ProQuest eBook Central provides an accessibility mode that can be activated on an individual eBook Central account from the account settings.
Reference staff can also assist in seeking access to e-books or other electronic texts. Library users are encouraged to suggest a purchase if an electronic version of a text is preferred. Chelsea Jancewiz from Disability Resources (disability.resources@oberlin.edu) authorizes scanning of print texts for accessibility purposes. Contact disability resources with citations for any print books for which you need an accessible copy.
Item Retrieval
Users unable to retrieve their own materials from the general stacks are encouraged to ask for assistance from the circulation staff.
Circulation of Materials
Readers from the Center for Student Success may arrange for extended loan periods for reserve materials.
Patrons unable to come into the libraries to return reserve or recalled materials should contact the relevant library circulation department.
Requests to check out "library use only" materials
The library staff will consider requests to circulate on a short-term basis materials normally restricted to "library use only."
Equipment and Facility Use
In the case of a breakdown of the only public elevator in the Main Library going to the A-Level, circulation staff will arrange to use one of the keyed elevators to assist users in reaching the A-Level.
Adaptive Technologies Center
The Terrell Main Library Adaptive Technologies Center is located in Mudd, Room 306. Keys for access to this room may be checked out at the main circulation desk. The center contains a PC with dragon and Kurzweil installed.
For further information and assistance with the devices contact Disability Resources at the Center for Student Success at disability.resources@oberlin.edu or (440) 775-5588.
Art Library elevator access
The Art Library is not fully accessible without special assistance to patrons unable to use stairs. Patrons needing elevator access to the Art Library may call the Art Library staff at (440) 775-8635 for assistance.