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McCabe Library

Swarthmore College, 480 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA, 19081

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Access Guide

About

  • The venue shares parking facilities.
  • The name of the nearest parking lot is Dean Bond Rose Garden Parking.
  • View information on Swarthmore College Parking Lots (opens new tab) .
  • There are uneven surfaces on routes to from the parking lot to the building.
  • There is a road with a crosswalk enroute with curb ramps on either side. .
  • The McCabe Building is large rectangular building with 4 floors. It houses the Humanities and Social Sciences collections in addition to Swarthmore's Special Collections, which include: the College Archives, Friends Historical Library, the Swarthmore College Peace Collection, and the Rare Book Room.
  • There is 1 elevator and 3 stairways.
  • The levels are signed as L, 1 , 2 and 3.

Getting Inside

  • There are uneven surfaces on approach to the building.
  • There are 4 entrances into the McCabe Library.
  • All entrances share the same ramp in front of the entrance which has a gradient of 8.75%.
  • Entrance MC-1 has a single automatic door.
  • MC-2, MC-3 and MC-4 all consist of 2 sets of single doors.
  • The entrances are signed as MC-1, MC-2, MC-3 and MC-4.
  • Entrances ML-2, ML-3 and ML-4 all have 2 single manual doors and are accessed by the same ramp with a gradient of 8.75%.

Getting Around

  • It is possible to bypass all steps once inside the building.
  • There is a ramp to access some of the moveable shelving on the lower level with a gradient of 8.9%.
  • The flooring in the building is carpeted, some of which is patterned.
  • There are resting areas located throughout the library.
  • There is wayfinding signage throughout the building.
  • There are some maps available.
  • There is not a designated safe or quiet space.

Restrooms and Changing Facilities Available

  • Single-occupant Restrooms with Accessibility Features View
    • There are 2 single-occupant restrooms with accessibility features.
    • The single-occupant restrooms with accessibility features are located on levels 1 and 2.
    • All single-occupant restrooms with accessibility features have a left hand transfer space.
  • Standard Restrooms View
    • Step-free female restrooms are located on the lower floors, 2 and 3.
    • Step-free male restrooms are located lower level and 3.

Entrance (MC-1)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a gradient of 1:11.
  • There is not a step-free level resting area.
  • The width of the ramp is 10ft 4in (315cm).
  • The ramp has handrails on both sides.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess that provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is a key fob/card reader at a height of 2ft 11in (90cm).
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push plate/sensor at a height of 2ft 11in (90cm).
  • The door has a pull handle.
  • The width of the opening is 2ft 11in (90cm).
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter the entrance.

Lobby

  • The lobby is located just inside the main entrance.
  • The lobby is approximately 8yd 2ft (8m) from the main entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the lobby has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access to the desk.
  • There are security barriers with a width of 3ft 1in (95cm) to reach the reception.
  • The height of the desk is 3ft 6in (107cm).
  • The lowered section of the desk is at a height of 2ft 9in (84cm).
  • The desk has patterned/distracting backgrounds that may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • There is not an assistive listening system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
  • There are chairs with armrests, armchairs, couches and wide chairs with armrests in this area.
  • There are coffee tables and tables in this area.
  • All tables are suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
  • There is space for a service animal to rest in the seating area.

Library

  • Library Details View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: there is a ramp to access the moveable shelving on the lower level.
    • There is space for a wheelchair user to maneuver (60in x 60in - 1525mm x 1525mm).
    • There is space for a service animal to rest.
    • Some flooring is patterned.
    • There are chairs with armrests, chairs without armrests, couches, booths, high stools and wide chairs with armrests in this area.
    • There are coffee tables, tables, high tables, height adjustable desks and fixed desks in this area.
    • There are some tables suitable for wheelchair users (between 28in and 34in - 710mm and 860mm from the floor).
    • There is not an assistive listening system.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
    • This library is able to provide material in the following formats: large print, e-book and e-journal.
    • Auxiliary aids available in this library include: ergonomic chairs, headsets and audio recorders.
    • Accessible software available for the computers includes: Dragon Naturally Speaking.
    • The lower level is a designated as the quiet study floor.
    • On the lower level the space between shelving is narrow with a width of 2ft 5in (73cm).
    • There is a Disability Services Reserved Study room with height adjustable desks on the lower level in room 007. A key is required to access this room which can be acquired from the main reception.

Elevator

  • The elevator is located to the rear left of the library.
  • The elevator surveyed is approximately 32yd 2ft (30m) from the main entrance.
  • The most accessible route to the elevator has step-free level access and barrier posts.
  • The floors which are accessible by this elevator are L, 1, 2 and 3.
  • The elevator has a turning space of 30in x 48in (760mm x 1220mm) in front of it.
  • The external elevator control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external elevator controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm)).
  • The weight limit for the elevator is 2500lbs.
  • The elevator door has a high visual contrast.
  • The elevator door opening width is 2ft 12in (91cm).
  • The internal dimensions of the elevator are 4ft 7in width x 6ft 2in depth (140cm x 187cm).
  • The internal elevator control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal elevator controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user (between 15in - 48in (380mm - 1220mm)).
  • Internally the elevator has: a visual floor indicator and a list of floor services/facilities.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Stairway

  • The stairway surveyed is located in the central library area.
  • There are double manual doors to access the stairwell.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairway are L, 1, 2 and 3.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The height of the handrails is 2ft 11in (88cm).
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the highest step is 7in (18cm).
  • The minimum tread depth is 1ft 1in (34cm).
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Restroom with Accessibility Features (Level 1 - Single, Gender Inclusive - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The restroom surveyed is a single-occupant restroom.
    • The restroom surveyed is located to the rear right of the building on level 1.
    • The restroom surveyed is approximately 65yd 1ft (60m) from the main entrance.
    • The most accessible route to the restroom has step-free level access and barrier posts.
    • There is step-free level access into the restroom.
    • There is Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the restroom door.
    • The door into the restroom opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The door requires effort to open.
    • The door has a lever handle.
    • The width of the restroom door opening is 2ft 8in (82cm).
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The overall dimensions are 5ft 1in x 9ft (155cm x 275cm).
    • The turning space dimensions are 5ft 1in x 6ft 11in (155cm x 210cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the toilet as you look at it.
    • The lateral transfer space is 3ft (92cm) (from the side of the toilet bowl to the wall).
    • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab bar on the rear wall and on the side wall.
    • The horizontal grab bar has a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • There is a vertical grab bar on the side wall.
    • The vertical grab bar has a high visual contrast with the surrounding walls.
    • The toilet seat is 1ft 7in (49cm) from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall-mounted toilet paper dispenser that can be easily reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet paper dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet paper dispenser is 1ft 7in (49cm) from the floor.
    • The sink is 2ft 10in (86cm) from the floor.
    • The area underneath the sink is unobstructed .
    • The sink faucet type is lever-style mixer.
    • There is a wall-mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 3ft 10in (118cm) from the floor.
    • There is a wall-mounted paper towel dispenser.
    • The paper towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The paper towel dispenser is 3ft 9in (115cm) from the floor.
    • There is a wall-mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 3ft 7in (110cm) from the floor.
    • There is a mirror above the sink/counter top; however, its bottom edge is not within 40in (1000mm) maximum from the finish floor.
    • There is an unobstructed shelf.
    • The shelf is at a recommended height (within 48in - 1220mm from the floor).
    • The stall has a wastebasket and a sanitary products receptacle.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 5ft 10in (178cm) from the floor.
    • The baby changing station does not obstruct the turning space.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.