We are committed to ensuring that all students and staff can make the best possible use of our services and collections, making special provision where needed.

If you require the information on this page in a different format, or want to find out more about how we can help with your specific needs, please get in touch:

This video provides an overview of our adjusted services.

Area covered include access to the buildings. loan periods, help desks book retrieval, printing and other available equipment.

Building access

University Library

  • The University Library is made up of the JB Morrell Library, Raymond Burton Library, Harry Fairhurst Building and Borthwick Institute for Archives.
  • They share a common entrance which can be reached using external lifts at the Library bridge (next to the Security Centre) and from the Campus North car park.
  • We also have an accessible gate next to the turnstiles for those with mobility aids.
  • There is an accessible entrance at the rear of the building - contact the Library and IT Help Desk about adding this entrance to your University card.
  • Inside all floors are served by lifts and there are always members of staff around to help find whatever you need.

King's Manor Library

  • The King's Manor Library in the centre of York is an historic listed building and is not readily accessible to people with mobility impairments, but staff will be on hand to help and can collect material for you.
  • There is an accessible desk which can be accessed via the ground floor entrance.
  • Resources can be sent to the Heslington West campus.

York Minster Library

  • York Minster Library is in Dean's Park on the north side of York Minster. It is in a historic listed building, so is not readily accessible to people with mobility impairments.
  • The Reading Room can be accessed by an internal lift; please check in advance for availability and suitability.
  • Library staff will be available to help and can retrieve material for you.
  • Loanable items can also be sent to the University Library for collection.

We are constantly working to improve accessibility to all our resources and services. Current physical provision includes:

  • Priority access to accessible study spaces for students who are registered with Disability Services, who can book these spaces for up to 6 hours per day and up to 4 times per week. There are also bookable single study rooms in silent areas and group study rooms, suitable for collaborative work or practising presentations. In addition to these, we also provide accessible study rooms in the Morrell Floor 1 silent study area. These are a little larger than the standard single study rooms to better accommodate wheelchair users and have height adjustable desks. There are two accessible silent study rooms in the Morrell and one quiet study room, suitable for discussion, available in the Fairhurst; you can book study rooms via our calendar, choosing 'Accessible single study room' from the Category drop-down menu
  • Accessible or adjustable desks for public access terminals, in study spaces, reading rooms and PC rooms. In the quiet study area on the first floor of the Morrell library there are adjustable height desks available; these can be positioned to act as standing desks, or adjusted to better suit those with mobility issues such as back problems or using wheelchairs. The desks are clearly labelled, but should you have any issues accessing these, please contact a member of staff
  • Wheelchair accessible and long-term lockers for users who need them
  • Reserved parking spaces behind the Library in Campus North car park and in Campus Central car park.

Equipment and software includes:

  • Hearing loops at the Library and IT Help Desk in the JB Morrell Library
  • CCTV text enlarger in the Raymond Burton Library
  • Designated public access terminals with a larger font size to aid readability
  • SuperNova screen enlargement and reading software on at least two PCs in classroom and private study areas
  • Coloured filter overlays in a variety of colours to aid contrast of text and background when reading - these can be requested at the Library and IT Help Desk in the JB Morrell Library
  • SENSUS Access, a self-service online facility that helps you convert files into more accessible formats.

Many books are now available to read online, but if you need a book from the shelves and find this difficult, we can help in several different ways:

  • Library staff can get items for you so you can collect them from hold shelf on the ground floor of the JB Morrell Library.
  • We may be able to set your account so you can request items through YorSearch for you or a friend to collect - but you'll need to be registered for Disability Services.
  • Requests to renew books can be made through your Library account on YorSearch. If another user requests a book you have borrowed, you may need to return it. If this is difficult for you, contact us straight away.
  • If you are registered with Disability Services, we can supply materials in an accessible format.
  • We offer longer loan and return periods for those registered with Disability Services.
  • York Print Plus provides self-service multi-function devices that provide printing, copying and scanning to students and staff.
  • Several of these devices are located in the Morrell and Fairhurst, with one close to the Library and IT Help Desk designed to be easier for wheelchair users:
  • We can provide coloured paper at the Library and IT Help Desk for printing if you need it.
  • For information about printing charges and topping up your printing account online, view the York Print Plus webpages.

SensusAccess allows you to convert files into an accessible format:

  • Convert PDFs, JPGs and other files into an e-book, text file, audio or braille
  • You can combine more than one .JPG into a single file

Conditions of use

You can use SensusAccess to make an accessible copy of a file if one of the following applies:

  • It's your own work
  • You have permission from the copyright holder (either through personal contact or an appropriate Creative Commons licence)
  • Copyright has expired (70 years after the death of the creator in most cases)
  • It's for someone with a disability that makes it difficult for them to use the work in its original format

For more copyright advice please see

Use SensusAccess to convert a file

Emergency procedures

Please make sure that you are familiar with the emergency procedures and exits in the library you are visiting.

There are wheelchair refuges with intercom systems on each floor of the JB Morrell Library, Raymond Burton Library, Harry Fairhurst Building and Borthwick Institute for Archives.