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Patrons with special needs

Link to Lake Macquarie Campus Library Catalogue
Link to policy

Welcome to the Avondale Library



Avondale Library aims to provide all Avondale College students and staff with either a temporary or permanent disability and/or medical condition, with equitable access to all of its collections and services.
Prospective and current students with a disability are encouraged to notify the College at an early stage of specific requirements they may have so that the College can attempt to plan for any special support required, including library services. This can be done by:

a declaration on the enrolment form
or
submitting an Application of special services due to disability form
or
contacting the Equity Officer (ph. 02 4980 2293)

Information provided in relation to a disability will be treated as confidential and revealed only with the student permission. Students need to be aware that it may be more difficult to make appropriate adjustments and special arrangements if the nature of a disability is kept private, particularly from personnel who need to know in order to implement required modifications and provisions to facilitate the student learning.

In addition, the Library has a Special Needs Librarian ph (02) 4980 2129 or email, who, in discussion with the student or staff member with a disability and the Disabilities Services Officer will arrange for library services, equipment and assistance appropriate to their individual needs, using the Registration for Library Services form.

Please note: Resources and facilities are provided primarily for Avondale College students and staff with disabilities. However, they are also available to students and staff from other institutions when this does not interfere with study or research by Avondale College students and staff.

Library Access


Disabled Parking
Disabled parking spaces are located in the car park on the south side of the Library which enables easy wheelchair access to the Library via the Media Centre.
Wheelchair access
This is via the East side of the White Building or via the back door to the Media Centre on the south side of the Library. Clients needing to access the Library via the Media Centre must contact the Special Needs Librarian to facilitate access using their ID card.
Lifts
All levels of the Library are accessible via lift. Since lifts cannot be used in the case of fire or similar emergency, users who rely on the lift should notify library staff when they enter and leave the buildings.
Maps and Floor plans of the Library are posted throughout the building.
Toilets
A wheelchair accessible, unisex toilet with an emergency buzzer, is located in the Media Centre on the lower floor of the Library.

Guide dogs and other registered companion animals are welcome in the Library.
Photocopiers, printers and scanners are located on the main floor of the Library and are wheelchair accessible.

Library Services


Assistance is based on individual needs. Please use the Registration for Library Services form or contact the Special Needs Librarian on 02 4980 2129.
Please hand in completed forms to the loans desk OR email them to the Special Needs Librarian.
Services include:
  • Orientation tours

  • Customised library instruction sessions

  • Training and assistance in the use of photocopying, scanning and printing facilities (the client is responsible for all photocopying and printing costs)

  • Extended loan periods by negotiation. (This does not apply to the Reserve collection or other Not for Loan resources.)

  • Interlibrary loans and document delivery services (for 300 level and above subjects, honours, masters and PhD students and academic staff only)

  • Assistance with searching the catalogue

  • Retrieving items for loan and copying

  • Searching electronic resources

  • Off-campus access to electronic resources

  • Interpreting small print on screen displays

  • Taking students to appropriate areas of the library

  • Copying materials for people with a print disability. If you are registered as having a print disability there are special provisions in Copyright Act that allow otherwise copyright protected works to be converted to a format suitable to your requirements.

  • Retrieving items for assignments or loan

  • Use of light weight book trolley


    • Requests for Library Services


    To request library services such as retrieval of items, photocopying, scanning, or to arrange a time for a tour, library instruction or help with an assignment, please speak with staff at the Information Desk or complete the Request for Library Services form.
    Please hand in completed forms to the loans desk OR email them to the Special Needs Librarian.
    Please allow 24 hours for requests for item retrieval and photocopying to be processed. Items may be collected from the Information Desk.

    Facilities and Equipment


  • Dragon Naturally Speaking software and microphone

  • Light weight book trolley

  • Adjustable Orthotilt desk top

    • Suggestions for specialised equipment purchases for use by students and staff with disabilities and/or medical conditions are welcomed. Please contact the Special Needs Librarian 02 4980 2129 or the Equity Officer 02 4980 2293

    Contact Information


    Need more information?
    Please contact the Special Needs Librarian by phone 02 4980 2129 or by email