Accessibility support

We work closely with colleagues in the University's Disabilities and Dyslexia Service, who advise us of adjustments required by students using an Internal Needs Assessment Report (INAR).

If you do not currently have an INAR in place then please contact the Disabilities and Dyslexia Service (DDS) to discuss your needs.

If your INAR indicates that it is appropriate, we can provide the following services:

• Assistance in using the online catalogue
• Assistance in locating material on the shelves
• Extending the loan period on 3 day loan items to one week and 1-week loan items to three weeks. However, fines are charged for the late return of 1-week loan and 3 day loan items as for all students.
• Book-fetching service: please note there is a delay in retrieving requested material
• Book fetching requests online: where Online Reservations are rejected because the catalogue display indicates that the book is Available, students whose INAR includes Book Fetching may email requests to library@londonmet.ac.uk or speak to a member of Library staff by phone or in person stating which library they wish to collect the books from, and staff will place the reservation for the student. Select the Library where you wish to collect the book to find the appropriate contact details.
• Advice on obtaining print materials in alternative formats for students with visual impairment

The University also provides a range of assistive technologies, details of which can be found on the DDS website.

Each Library has green ergonomic chairs for general use by those with an additional need or temporary injury.

Working assistance dogs are permitted in the Libraries. Animals classified as ‘emotional support animals’ are not usually accepted but special cases will be considered.

Any member of the library staff will be happy to assist you in your use of the library; in addition, each library has a designated person who is responsible for liaising on library matters with disabled users and the Disabilities and Dyslexia Service.

• Entrance is at street level. A ramp beside Reception gives access to the ground floor.
• There is lift access to all floors.
• In the event of lift breakdown, students registered with mobility problems with Disabilities and Dyslexia Service may also use the library staff lift.

• Entrance is on the ground floor.
• There is lift access to all floors.
• In the event of library lift breakdown, students registered with mobility problems with Disabilities and Dyslexia Service should speak to a member of Library staff to gain access to the upper floors via an alternative lift.
• Apply at the Information Desk.

The entrance to the Reading Room is on the second floor of the Old Castle Street building.

There is a disabled toilet and lockers for securing personal items in the basement.

There is lift access to all floors.

In the event of lift breakdown readers with reduced mobility should speak to a member of Special Collections staff on 020 7320 3516.

If you are a student with a visual impairment, learning disability or physical disability that means you cannot use our existing printed books or e-books, then you are entitled to access the RNIB UK Education Collection via RNIB Bookshare.

How to access books via RNIB Bookshare

In the first instance, please contact the Academic Liaison Librarian for your subject, who can create an account to give you access. This will allow you to use any accessible format books that are already in their collection and to request the addition of other books to their collection, where possible.

RNIB Bookshare has its own e-reader software that you can use, or you can read their books with the e-reader software that you are used to. There are other ways that you can read their books, which include but are not limited to: digital braille or enlarged fonts; and physical braille or large print.

In cases where a particular publisher does not work with RNIB, your Librarian can apply directly to the publisher for an accessible copy on your behalf. Please note that any accessible book obtained by you or on your behalf via RNIB or a publisher is for your own private educational use only, and is not to be shared with others.

There is a default download limit of 100 books within any 30 day period on RNIB Bookshare.

If you require an accessible copy of a chapter or article not held by London Metropolitan University libraries, for example, to support the writing of a dissertation, you should email: customer-services-orders@bl.uk. You do not have to be registered with the British Library.

You will be required to complete a declaration form for each order.

All articles/chapters are charged the same as standard document supply requests. Whole items are charged at £23.10 for the first 50 pages and 15p a page after that. This pricing information is correct as of 21/07/2021.

Assistive software helps all students access learning materials and complete assignments. This section looks at the software available on London Met computers, software provided by the Disabled Students' Allowances and freely available assistive software.