Assistive Services for Students with Disabilities
These services insure that users with disabilities have equal access to all library resources (print or online), to all library services and to all library personnel. In addition, we realize that accommodations for users with disabilities will be based on the individual’s needs. For the services listed below, students must have self-identified to the Associate Provost’s Office as needing accommodations due to a permanent or temporary disability.
Appointments for these services are encouraged, but not necessary. Every effort will be made to accommodate these requests.
Research Assistance Access Delivery of Materials Adaptive Technology The Ames Library Building For more information
Users are encouraged to come to the Ames Library for assistance in developing research strategy, locating relevant books and journals, and evaluating research materials. Librarians are available by appointment as well as at the Reference Desk during weekdays, weekends, and evenings. Library hours can be accessed online.
There are two additional services that may be of interest to IWU faculty, staff and students:
One-on-One Research Consultation:
IWU students, faculty and staff may schedule an appointment with a reference librarian to help you focus on your research needs. Appointments should be scheduled in advance. For more information and to schedule your appointment, please contact your department’s library liaison. A list of liaisons is available online.
AskAmes - Chat Online with a Librarian
Ames librarians are available during regular Information Desk hours to answer questions and provide help via online chat. Just type your question in the AskAmes widget on the left hand side of any page on the Ames Library website. For more about this service, please visit Information about AskAmes.
Ask A Librarian Email:
IWU faculty, staff and students can email questions to an IWU reference librarian for research assistance. Emails can be sent directly to liaisons or you can fill out the online form to submit a question.
Retrieving books from the stacks:
Users may request assistance in retrieving materials from the stacks at the Circulation Desk (309-556-3053) on the entry level of the library. Users with disabilities may also request assistance from library employees engaged in reshelving library materials.
Reserve materials:
IWU students, faculty and staff may request a longer loan period for reserve materials in order to use them with special reading equipment. Please contact the Reserves Coordinator (309-556-3728) for more information.
Copying assistance:
IWU students, faculty, and staff may bring library materials (journals, books, microforms, etc). to the Thorpe Digital Center (309-556-3223). Copies will be made for the user in accordance with copyright guidelines. There may be a minimal cost for this service depending on the volume and type of request. Users are encouraged to plan ahead to avoid last-minute requests for this accommodation. For assistance, please contact Stephanie Davis-Kahl, Assistive Services Liaison (sdaviska@iwu.edu, 309-556-3010) for more information.
Telephone requests:
Users may call to have library staff determine if a book, periodical or newspaper is on the shelf and ask that the item be retrieved and held for them. Please call:
Circulation Desk:
309-556-3053Assistive Services Liaison:
Stephanie Davis-Kahl, sdaviska@iwu.edu, 309-556-3010
Books, photocopies of articles and other library materials identified by the user can be delivered to on-campus locations. Users are required to have identified the materials needed before requesting delivery. The library, the user and the Office of Residential Life will arrange details of delivery and pick-up of materials to occur within library hours to a mutually-agreed upon location.
The library is aware that adaptive technology needs differ widely from person to person, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Therefore, the library and the Associate Provost’s Office will communicate and work closely with the user in order to clarify and fulfill adaptive technology equipment needs as they relate to academic needs.
Library entrance & elevators:
A ramp at the front of the building leads to a power-assisted door to the right of the main entrance. All main floors in The Ames Library can be reached by public elevator.
Spaces:
Restrooms in the building are wheelchair-accessible. Aisles in the bookstacks, Information Commons, Instruction Lab and in the Current Periodicals collection are also wheelchair-accessible.
Furniture:
The library has adjustable or accessible furniture throughout the building. The Instruction Lab has a desk that can be raised to accommodate a person in a wheelchair, and within each Scholarly Workstation cluster there is an accessible desk. In addition, Beckman Auditorium has an wheelchair-accessible entry on the left side of the auditorium entrance, and seat arms can be raised.
Test-Taking/ Tutoring:
The library can provide space for students with disabilities who need a quiet space for extended test-taking or for meeting with tutors. Please contact the Library Training and Outreach Coordinator (309-556-1335) for more information.
Parking:
Specially designated parking spaces for individuals with disabilities are available on Ames Plaza East as well as in the parking lot on Park Street.
Evacuation procedures:
Each stairwell level is equipped with a call box for emergency purposes. In the event of an emergency, library users with disabilities should wait at the nearest stairwell for assistance. Emergency personnel will be clearing the building during an emergency and will be checking the stairwells.
Please contact the Assistive Services Liaison if you have questions regarding library services currently offered for library users with disabilities or for suggestions regarding services that should be offered in the future.
Stephanie Davis-Kahl
sdaviska@iwu.edu
309-556-3010
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This service is maintained by The Ames Library. Please contact us with any problems or suggestions. |