Library accessibility

Stanford accessibility resources

Stanford offers dedicated support for accessible learning, teaching, research, and work. We recommend that you contact these offices first. They have the most extensive and up-to-date resources. They can help you get resources (including library materials) that meet your needs.

• Students: Office of Accessible Education, academic resources
• Faculty and teaching staff: Office of Accessible Education, course and classroom resources
• Staff: Contact your Human Resources department for workplace accommodations and resources

Libraries services

We also offer services that you might find useful. Green Library’s circulation desk is staffed most days and many evenings. The desk staff can assist with your questions in person. 

Contact us for more information about our support services. We can:

• Provide individual reference and instruction consultations.
• Retrieve books from shelves. Check with the circulation desk or contact us.
• Deliver books to a different Libraries’ location.
• Accept your returned books at many campus locations or by mail. 
• Scan articles and book chapters.
• Remediate inaccessible electronic resource content. 
• Set up your account so someone else can check out materials for you (proxy borrowing). 
• Create transcripts or captions for any digitized media in SDR. 
• Supply assistive listening devices (ALDs) for events in Hohbach Hall's Presentation Room (HH122).

Libraries websites

We are consulting with Stanford's Office of Digital Accessibility to improve accessibility of our digital content.

If you have difficulty using our online or web-based platforms:

• Request support or an equivalent alternative. 
• Report the issue to the Libraries.
• Report the issue to Stanford.

Libraries spaces

Parking and getting to the Libraries

Stanford is a large, suburban campus. Most Libraries branches and centers are located within other buildings spread across campus.

Parking and getting across campus can be a challenge. The Stanford Transportation Office can help you plan your visit. Their services include parking, the Marguerite shuttles, and the Disability Golf Cart Service (DisGo). DisGo is available to eligible Stanford students and staff only. The Stanford Campus Access Guide includes maps and wheelchair and other disability access information.

Navigating inside the Libraries’ buildings

Each of the Libraries’ locations have different considerations for getting around. Most Libraries locations have steps, stairs, or elevators leading to the entrances. Some locations have multiple floors. 

We can provide information to make sure your visit goes smoothly. See the contact and accessibility information specific to each Libraries location below.

Service and support animals

We welcome service animals at the Libraries. Service animals are those trained to perform tasks related to their handler's disabilities. Some library spaces, such as Special Collections and University Archives, need advance notification. Please alert library staff as soon as possible before you visit with your service dog.

We do not allow the following in the Libraries' buildings:

• Service dogs that are still in training
• Comfort/support/therapy animals
• Pets

Stanford’s Service and Support Animal policy describes the difference between service dogs and comfort/support/therapy animals. We encourage service and support animal users to review these policies. Please contact Stanford’s Diversity and Access Office with questions.

Emergency procedures

Everyone needs a mental plan of action for exiting a building during an emergency. Be sure to look for emergency exits while visiting the Libraries. Many of our locations have complex layouts, small study rooms, and lots of bookshelves. 

More emergency preparedness information:

• Emergency Preparedness Tips | Office of Diversity and Access 
• Guide for Individuals with Disabilities in an Emergency | Office of Diversity and Access  
   

Accessibility at Libraries branch locations

Green Library: The loan and privileges desk staff are available to assist patrons with finding and retrieving items from our book stacks. Some areas of the stacks are not wheelchair accessible. Some collections are held at service points.

Academy Hall, Redwood City Campus: Accessible to people with limited mobility.

Archive of Recorded Sound: The main entrance is power equipped; an elevator serves the lower level, including the Archive of Recorded Sound entrance.

Bowes Art & Architecture Library: We are located on the second floor of the McMurtry Art & Art History building, accessible via the building's passenger elevator. The collection is housed completely in hand-cranked, rolling compact shelving. Assistance may be requested at the circulation and reference desk during all hours the library is open.

Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections: Accessible to patrons with limited mobility. An elevator is available to take patrons to the library entrance on the second floor. A power-equipped accessible entrance is located on the south side of the building. Inquire at the circulation desk to access the library mezzanine via the elevator.

Classics Library: There is one accessible entrance to Building 110, located in the Inner Quad via the arcade. Wheelchair access is limited to the first floor.

Cubberley Education Library: The facility is currently closed for renovation.

David Rumsey Map Center: Patrons with limited mobility can take the Bing Wing elevator to the fourth floor.

East Asia Library: The East Asia Library is accessible to people with limited mobility. The library is located on the second floor of the Lathrop Library building, and accessible parking spaces can be found nearby on Memorial Drive. Patrons can reach the main East Asia Library entrance from an elevator located on the ground floor of Lathrop Library. Inside the library, an elevator is available that services all floors. The front entrance to the library is power equipped and the restrooms are accessible. Staff are available to help retrieve items located on upper and lower shelves, and users who require assistance may inquire at the circulation desk. For other accommodation needs, please call the circulation desk at 650-725-3435.

Harold A. Miller Library at Hopkins Marine Station: Parking is available for those with accessible parking permits. The entrance to the library is located on the ground floor at the end of a slightly inclined path. Miller Library is equipped with an accessible washroom and height-adjustable computer work stations. Please contact Miller Library staff for further accommodation needs.

Music Library: The main entrance is power equipped; an elevator serves the lower level.

Robin Li and Melissa Ma Science Library: The entrance to the library is located on the third floor of the Sapp Center for Science Teaching and Learning and is accessible via the building's passenger elevator, located to the left as one enters the building from Lomita Drive. The library occupies much of the third floor and all of the fourth floor of the Sapp Center, and a passenger elevator makes both floors accessible to library users via card-reader access. A guest access card is available from the circulation desk.

Silicon Valley Archives: We are committed to being accessible to all visitors. If you need a disability-related accommodation, please contact us before your visit to ensure that we can best meet your needs.

Special Collections: Accessible to persons with limited mobility.

Stanford Geospatial Center: Accessible to patrons with limited mobility. An elevator is available to take patrons to the library entrance on the second floor. A power-equipped accessible entrance is located on the south side of the building.

Tanner Philosophy Library: There are two accessible entrances to Building 90, located in the Inner Quad via the arcade, and one entrance is equipped with a power-operated door. Wheelchair access is limited to the first floor as there is no elevator in Building 90.

Terman Engineering Library: Parking is available for those with accessible parking permits on the south side of the Huang Engineering Center and in the Via Ortega Garage at Panama Street and Via Ortega. The Huang Engineering Center is equipped with automatic doors, accessible elevators, and accessible washrooms. A height-adjustable computer work station is available in the library. Please contact Terman Engineering Library staff for further accommodation needs.