Access for Persons with Disabilites

In an effort to ensure access to library collections and services for patrons with disabilities, the Libraries provide a number of services. Public service staff will provide reasonable assistance to patrons with disabilities or direct them to appropriate personnel for further assistance. Special arrangements may be required for access to some services and resources, especially during evening and weekend hours.

The University's Disability Resource Center will provide library assistance to FIU students who are clients of this office and who make advance requests. Contact the Office of Disability Services, University Park, GC-190, 348-3532 or Biscayne Bay Campus, SC-260, 919-5813 for special assistance.

Patrons outside the FIU community in need of special assistance should contact the Libraries' Coordinators of Disability Services during regular office hours, Monday - Friday.

Coordinator of Disability Services at University Park library: 348-3139 Andy Grof

Coordinator of Disability Services at BBC Campus library: 919-5272

SERVICES ON DEMAND

Reference desk (up to 10 minutes)
Interlibrary Loan and Intercampus Loan*
Catalog instruction (up to 10 minutes)
Reserve materials*
Government Documents desk
Registration for library instruction and training for electronic information services*
Limited assistance with electronic reference services (up to 10 minutes)
Extended access to CD-ROM

SERVICES REQUIRING SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Extended reference (over 10 minutes).
Extended Catalog training.
Photocopying of library materials (contact the Office of Disability Services or the Libraries). Any cost for photocopying is to be paid by the patron.
Retrieval of library materials.
Special library instruction and training for groups or individuals.*
Renewal of library materials by phone
Accessing microform materials (contact the Office of Disability Services or the Libraries).
Library-produced publications can be made available in other formats.
Persons with disabilities who are entitled to borrowing privileges may authorize an individual to serve as a Designated Borrower to check out library materials on their behalf.*

* These services only available to members of the FIU community.

ADAPTED EQUIPMENT

Both libraries have equipment adapted to assist patrons with disabilities. University Park equipment is located in GL-230A,B,C,D; Biscayne Bay Campus equipment is located in Lib-212.

The adapted equipment purchased by the Office of Disability Services (ODS) is intended primarily for use by their clients. Other library patrons may have access to the equipment if it is not being used at the time and if they have been approved to use it by the ODS. Approval is granted if the patron is able to demonstrate that she/he knows how to operate the equipment properly. For further information about this and other types of equipment available outside the library setting, contact the ODS: University Park, GC-190, 348-3532 Biscayne Bay Campus, SC-260, 919-5813.

The Libraries have Catalog terminals accessible to patrons in wheelchairs. The Libraries catalog, also provides access to the catalogs of all of Florida's public universities and the catalogs of many other libraries in south florida and around the country. The catalog also includes numerous indexes, abstracts, and full text databases. In addition to wheelchair-accessible terminals, the Libraries will have equipment to provide persons with disabilities access to the catalog in the library by use of a text enlargement program and voice synthesizer. This same equipment can be used to access other electronic resources. The catalog may also be accessed via any campus terminal or any personal computer with Internet access.

TDD SERVICE

TDD phones are available at the Circulation Desks on both campuses to provide access to services and information concerning the FIU Libraries: Biscayne Bay , 919-5718; University Park, 348-1295.

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION

Most day-to-day communication between library personnel and patrons who are hearing impaired can be accomplished by pencil and paper. In circumstances in which more extensive communication is required, the use of a sign language interpreter may be requested via the Office of Disability Services.

POLICY DOCUMENT IN ALTERNATE FORMATS

This document is available in large print and audio tape formats in the Sound & Images Dept. (5th floor) at UP campus, Circulation Desk at BBC, or through the Office of Disability Services on either campus. For further information, please contact the Libraries' Coordinators of Disability Services.

UNIVERSITY PARK:

Circulation Desk: 348-2453
Information Desk: 348-2470
Coordinator of Disability Services: 348-3139 Andy Grof

BBC:

Circulation Desk: 919-5718
Reference Desk: 919-5726
Coordinator of Disability Services: 919-5272