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Warsaw University Library for Handicapped Persons

Warsaw University Library is a place which is highly accessible to people with disabilities. Users can depend on professional and friendly help from all Library employees. Their first point of contact is the Reference Desk.

Those who want to use specially adapted computers or individual work rooms should present a certificate from the Warsaw University Office for Persons with Disabilities. Only an official certificate allows access to computers or special rooms. This certificate can also be received by persons who are not Warsaw University employees and students.

ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY

All elevators are adapted for handicapped users. On each level there are spacious handicapped-equipped bathrooms with guide rails. All work stations are accessible to wheelchair patrons. Librarians will gladly assist patrons in reaching higher placed books.

EQUIPMENT

The Library possesses equipment which allows blind and visually-impaired persons, as well as users with movement disabilities, access to Warsaw University Library holdings. They may use their own materials additionally in a comfortable environment.

1. For blind and visually-impaired persons we have:
   
   
   1. 2 computer stands in individual work rooms on level 2 (access and reservations through the Reference Desk) with the following equipment:
      • computer with Braille screen, scanner with FineReader software, and JAWS software for Windows NT,
      • computer with scanner, OCR FineReader software, Braille printer, JAWS software for Windows NT, voice synthesizer (bilingual, Polish-English version).
   2. 2 computers on level 1 (next to the Textbook Collection) - with access to Internet and local databases - equiped with 19'' screens (resolution 640x480), JAWS software for Windows NT, voice synthetizer (bi-language, Polish-English version). Login password can be received and reservations made at the Reference Desk.
   3. 2 text magnifiers:
      • computer magnifier Reader VGA in the individual work room in the Reading Room (allows using books from closed stacks),
      • magnifier with independent screen - located on level 2 (next to subject area Social Sciences. Anthropology).
   4. 2 recording studios of books located in the individual work rooms on level 2.

   At the Reference Desk patrons can get basic information about using computer software and, in the Reading Room, about using magnifiers. Basic courses on how to use such equipment are organized by the Computer Center for Blind and Visually-Impaired Persons (http://cnin.ci.uw.edu.pl). This center also gives detailed information for disabled Library users.
   

2. For persons with movement disabilities we feature:
   
   
   1. 2 computers on level 1 (next to the Textbook Collection) - with access to Internet, local databases, and Microsoft Office software - equipped with 19'' screens, PS/2 keyboards, a mouse (Trackball Pro - diameter 5,7 cm, 4 push-buttons; Expert Mouse Trackball - diameter 6 cm, 4 push-buttons), and speakers 40 W. Login, passwords and reservations can be received at the Reference Desk. Warsaw University also possesses alternative keyboards and mouse equipment, which could be installed in the Library on user demand. Please contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities (tel. 55 24 222, e-mail: bon@mercury.ci.uw.edu.pl).

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Limitations in checking out items can be suspended for disabled persons after presenting a certificate from Warsaw University's Office for Persons with Disabilities. This applies to items from open stacks and from reference collections, including encyclopaedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, information publications, and books published before 1950. This also applies to items which are rare or difficult to buy, or to items which have many tables, maps and prints, and folders with separate pages. Books with the status "non-circulating" also can be checked out. To check these out one must fill out traditional (paper) requisition forms. After presenting this certificate, receive desired items at the Circulation Desk.

SERVICES

As all users, persons with disabilities can:

• order searches for books and requisition forms, by phone (55 25 178, 55 25 179), or e-mail: oin.buw@uw.edu.pl;
• order open stacks books to the Reading Room or Circulation Desk, without finding them personally (waiting time 30-60 minutes);
• order books from closed stacks with records in the online catalogue directly from the online catalogue (also through Internet);
• receive RAS service, which allows access to Library electronic resources from home computers;
• take a Library guided tour (please reserve times in room 141, tel. 55 25 181, 55 25 183, 55 25 184, e-mail: oin.buw@uw.edu.pl).

TALKING BOOKS COLLECTION

Following the initiative of the Office for Persons with Disabilities, in November of 1997 Talking Books Collection was created. Since August of 2000 it has been located in Warsaw University Library. Its main task is preparing (scanning and recording) university textbooks for use by blind and visually-impaired patrons.

In the Talking Book Collection volunteers record and scan books. Until now nearly 100 volunteers have helped on this collection project, some from the very beginning. About 150 books have been recorded, with a total recording time of more than 3000 hours. Scanned books are located on the Computer Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Persons server (http://cnin.ci.uw.edu.pl).

CONTACT

For further information please contact the Reference Department or Reference Desk (tel. 55 25 178, 55 25 179; e-mail: oin.buw@uw.edu.pl).

We recommend using the Warsaw University Library homepage: http://www.buw.uw.edu.pl

By: Anna Budniewska

6.03.2002