Accessibility

The University of Kansas Libraries maintains facilities in a number of buildings on the Lawrence campus. A map of campus libraries is available, as is a guide to access to campus libraries.  A guide for visitors to the Spencer Research Library is also available.

The University of Kansas Libraries provides accessibility workstations with software installed to provide assistance to users with disabilities in the Anschutz, Art & Architecture, Music & Dance, Spahr, and Watson libraries on the Lawrence campus. Please refer to our page on adaptive technology for a complete listing of software applications currently available. Access to adaptive technology workstations requires an active KU Online ID.

Electronic journals, books, and databases

the KU Libraries subscribes to a vast number of electronic resources provided through a large number of commercial vendors and publishers and not all resources were designed for maximum accessibility. Users requiring assistance accessing these materials should contact the Kent Miller, KU Libraries Accessibility Coordinator at kmiller@ku.edu

Library website

While numerous pages and resources adhere to accessibility guidelines, some legacy materials are not fully compliant. If you face difficulty accessing our website, please email libwebhelp@ku.edu.

HathiTrust

HathiTrust is a digital repository of collections of some of the major research libraries in the United States. Some of the content is in the public domain and available to all. Through a designated proxy, eligible KU patrons can receive special access to in-copyright materials. Consult the HathiTrust site for more details.

Retrieving Library Materials

Library staff are available at each unit's service desk to assist users in retrieving materials. While efforts are made for immediate retrieval, advance notice might be necessary for a large number of items. Users needing assistance in accessing library stacks are advised to prepare a list and use the online catalog. KU-affiliated users can also utilize Retrieve from Shelf and WebRetrieve services for material delivery. 

Adaptive Technology

Print materials may be magnified or scanned using adaptive technology available on designated workstations in the Watson and Anschutz libraries on the Lawrence campus. Please refer to our page on adaptive technology for a complete listing of software applications currently available. Access to adaptive technology workstations requires an active KU Online ID.

Scanners

See Public Scanners by Location for more information about where scanners can be found.   

Rare and Fragile Materials

Many print materials cannot withstand use on adaptive technology workstations and there are restrictions on the circulation of rare materials. Please contact Kent Miller at kmiller@ku.edu to discuss options for accessing rare and fragile materials available only in print.

Readers

Print materials that cannot be made accessible using adaptive technology may require the aid of a reader. Students requiring a reader should contact the Student Access Center, Room 22, Strong Hall.

General Assistance

General assistance is available in person, over the phone, and via electronic mail during designated service hours. Links to service hours, phone numbers, and Web-based services are available at Ask a Librarian.

Meet with a Librarian

Meet with a Librarian to find the best resources for your topic, develop research strategies, locate primary sources, and search the web for credible information. Request a meeting

Extended Assistance using Adaptive Technology

Users requiring both extended reference assistance and assistance with adaptive technology are encouraged to contact Jeromy Horkman at jhorkman@ku.edu.