Services for People with Disabilities
The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries are committed to equal access as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Users with special needs are encouraged to request accommodations. The Libraries provide a supportive environment in which an individual's needs can be met and privacy respected.
W.E.B. Du Bois Library
154 Hicks Way, Amherst MA 01003. For hours, please call 413.545.0414 (voice recording)
The W.E.B. Du Bois Library houses materials (books and periodicals) primarily for the humanities and social sciences. The directory of the building describes the locations of materials. Also located in the Library are the following departments: Learning Resource Center on the 10th Floor for academic tutoring and supplemental instruction, and the Assistive Technologies Center with adaptive devices on the Lower Level.
Parking
Several "handicap" parking spaces are located at the end of Hicks Way, near South College.
Visitors Parking Guide
Interactive Parking Map
Entrance to Building
The entrance to the Library is located on the south side of the building, facing Old Chapel. The Main Entrance has two button-activated, electrically powered doors. Elevators provide access to all floors.
The Lower Level and the 2nd Floor have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms for men and women. The telephone (campus only) in the east lobby of the Entrance Level is wheelchair accessible.
Assistance Available
Circulation Services
(Lower Level, 413.545.2622)
Staff will arrange to retrieve books and journals from the stacks and hold them for you at the Circulation Desk. Your UCard serves as your library card. If you cannot pick up the materials yourself and plan to give a friend your ID to obtain them for you, please complete the Proxy Application Form. Bound journals circulate, but you can also make special arrangements to have articles copied for you with your copy card. There is also a wheelchair-accessible photocopier on the Lower Level if you prefer to do the copying yourself.
Reference and Research Assistance
(Lower Level, 413.545.0150)
To begin research, take the elevator down to the Lower Level. Library staff at the Reference and Research Assistance Desk are there to help you get started with the research process. You may prefer to make an appointment in advance of your visit for in-depth research help with a reference librarian. The Lower Level has wheelchair-accessible PCs and printers.
Assistive Technologies Center
(Lower Level)
The Assistive Technologies Center (ATC) is located on the Lower Level of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. The ATC offers technology services to any member of the University community with an ADA-defined disability. This lab is coordinated by OIT Computer Classrooms. There are several workstations and a variety of hardware and software to assist users with research, information, and study needs. For assistance with the room, its equipment, or software, visit the Learning Commons and Technical Support Desk on the Lower Level.
To use ATC services, you must register with Disability Services and hold an active OIT Account.
Science and Engineering Library (SEL)
Lederle Graduate Research Center (LGRC), Low Rise - 2nd Floor, 413.545.1370
Parking
Several "handicap" parking spaces are located in a small lot off North Pleasant Street, between Lederle Low Rise and the West Experiment Station.
Entrance to Lederle Graduate Research Center (LGRC)
In the Lederle Low Rise, both the south entrance near the bicycle parking area facing the tower building, and the north entrance on the same side of the building have button-activated, electrically powered doors. The entrance to the LGRC tower facing the Low Rise does as well.
Elevators and Other Resources
The Science and Engineering Library is within the LGRC. The entrance to the library is on the 2nd floor of the Low Rise at the south end of the building. If you have limited mobility, you may enter the building at the north end and take the elevator to the 2nd Floor. OR take an elevator in the Lederle tower to the 2nd floor and use the 'bridge' to the Low Rise.
An elevator within the Library makes all but the basement floor accessible without staff intervention.
Library staff at either the Reference or Circulation Desks will assist users who are disabled for both retrieving materials or for discovering what information they need.
The 2nd (entrance) floor @SEL has one wheelchair-accessible bathroom for each gender.
For comments or suggestions concerning this page, please contact: Beth Lang, Reference Librarian.
Last Edited: 17 April 2012
