Accessibility

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.

Workstation Accessibility

All library locations have one or more workstations that are wheelchair-accessible and adaptive technology is 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.

Library website

The University of Kansas Libraries are committed to providing access to information through our Web site. While many of our Web pages and resources have been reviewed for established guidelines for accessibility, there are many legacy materials that are not yet fully compliant with those guidelines. If you have difficulty accessing one or more pages on our Web site, please email libwebhelp@ku.edu.

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

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.

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.

Retrieving Library Materials

Library staff are available in each unit to retrieve materials for users who need assistance. Users should ask at the service desk of the library housing the needed material. Library staff will make every effort to immediately retrieve the needed material. However, if there are a great number of items to be retrieved, advance notice may be required. In addition, if the library is busy and/or there is only one staff member available at the service desk, library staff may ask the user to come back later to pick up the material. Users who require assistance retrieving materials from the library stacks are encouraged to prepare a list of materials needed and to use the online catalog to determine ahead of time that desired materials are currently available for circulation. Please note that the library is most able to respond quickly to such requests during weekdays (8 am - 5 pm) rather than during evening or weekend hours. The library does not provide retrieval services at 24-hour facilities during hours when service desks are not staffed by library personnel.

KU-affiliated users may also take advantage of the electronic Retrieve from Shelf and WebRetrieve services to have print materials delivered to any library service desk for pick up, or, if appropriate, delivered in electronic form. The amount and type of material that may be delivered in electronic form via WebRetrieve may be limited by the requirements of copyright compliance and staff availability. Please visit any library service desk for more information on using Retrieve from Shelf and WebRetrieve.

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.

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.

Extended Assistance and Research Consultation

Extended services and research consultations are available during weekdays in Anschutz and Watson libraries and by appointment. Because extended assistance may require users to work with a subject specialist, users are encouraged to make an appointment ahead of time via our appointment request form.

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.