Physical Building Accessibility

Library Entrances

  • The north (main) entrance entrance doors are accessible and electrically powered with push button automatic door openers.
  • The west entrance is not accessible and is in fact permanently closed due to this.
  • For information on parking and getting to the library, including a campus map, see Access for People with Disabilities

Mobility in the Library

  • Our building has some issues including a split-level 1st floor.

  • On 1st Floor we have a lift located across from the service desk, and a ramp located behind Brewed Awakening coffee shop.

  • One public elevator is available and accessible to all floors and most services.

Restroom Accessibility

  • Gendered restrooms are available on the 2nd and 3rd floors and in the basementand are accessible via the public elevator. There are no restrooms on the 1st or 4th floors.
  • Single-stall gender neutral restrooms are available on the 2nd and 3rd floors and can be accessed via the public elevator. However, they are not ADA compliant unfortunately.

Study Spaces & Quite Floors

Lighting in the Library

Odors in the Library

  • Our library building is old, including our air handling system. However, if you notice unpleasant smells throughout the library building please let us know at the service desk or contact the library.

Classroom Accessibility

  • The Heathcote classroom in the basement is wheelchair accessible via the elevator. The classroom (pronounced "HETH cutt") has two computers in the front row on higher tables for wheelchair access. More  information on technology in the classroom is available on the Heathcote classroom webpage. 

Books in the Library Stacks

  • The 3rd floor book stacks (shelving) are very narrow.  
  • If you are unable to access books in any of our stacks, the Service Desk (in the 1st floor lobby) offers assistance in retrieving materials, or youcan place a hold on items and pick them up at the Service Desk.

Service Animals

For more information on accessibility of individual library spaces, see our Library Spaces Page

Assistive Technology & Software

Technology & Equipment

  • Technology checkouts, including Laptops, iPads, Wi-Fi Hot Spots, and headphones are available to borrow from the library Service Desk. Two sets of noise canceling headphones are available
  • Public desktop computers are available primarily on the 1st and 2nd floors, with a few on the 3rd floor. The first floor includes several accessible computers with electrically powered height-adjustable tables, one attached to a scanner, and one with an EZ See large print keyboard. Accessibility software available on public computers is listed below. 
  • Printers are available on all floors, including a printer on the lower level of the first floor directly adjacent to two accessible computers with electric tables.
  • Multiple scanners, including Epson fladbed scanners and BookEye overhead scanners, are available for students to scan documents to be converted into an alternative format. Assistance with scanning is available at the MSU Library Service Desk.
  • A photocopier is available on the upper level of first floor. The photocopier has a very small digital screen and is not wheelchair friendly. Assistance with photocopying is available at the MSU Library Service Desk.
  • The library has ten, electrically powered height-adjustable tables: Three on the 1st floor, two on the 2nd floor, three on the 3rd floor, and two on the 4th floor.
  • For more information on where physical technology is located in the library, visit our Technology Services page.

Software

  • All desktop computerson campus are equipped with a screen magnifier.
  • All desktop computers on campuse are equipped with Read & Write Gold, and users can download Read & Write Gold to their own devices, which includes:
    • PDF reader
    • text-to-speech
    • speech-to-text
    • visual dictionary
    • learning tools such as PDF annotation & highlighting
  • All desktop computerson campus are equipped with EquatIO, and users can download EquatIO to their own devices

     

    • EquatIO is a math accessibility solution for those who prefer to listen to math in any document or web page, or to create math content with voice or handwriting.

       

    • EquatIO allows users to take a screenshot of the inaccessible equation to convert it to accessible math that will automatically be read aloud. 

       

    • EquatIO can be used to dictate equations and formulas aloud. It understands what is said and turns the spoken input to written expressions. EquatIO can also be used to write math freehand on the device and to turn that into digital math.

  • All desktop computers, as well as Laptops available for short term check out at the MSU Library Service Desk, have access to built-in Microsoft Accessibility software including Magnifier, Narrator for text-to-speech, On-screen Keyboard, Color Contrast and Filters, and more. 
  • iPads are available for short term checkout at the MSU Library Service Desk, and come with a host of accessibility features, including text to speech, magnification, and learning tools. 

Parking & Physical Accessibility on Campus

For more information about accessibility around campus, including parking and a campus map, see Access for People with Disabilities

Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services also has information and services for students, faculty, parents, and prospective students.