Library

In this section

Library Policy for Services and Resources for People with Disabilities

General Policy

The purpose of this document is to provide information for library users about services and resources provided by the Simmons Library for people with disabilities. The Library serves a diverse community and embraces a commitment to make it as easy as possible for all users to take advantage of Library services. Simmons Library staff members are guided by this philosophy when making decisions concerning access to the library building and its physical facilities, services, and resources. We make every effort to promote inclusion and create an environment conducive to learning for everyone. Furthermore, the Library staff, in collaboration with other campus units such as Facilities, Public Safety, and Technology strives to follow the principles of universal design in developing facilities, resources and services.

Simmons Library staff members provide timely responses to requests for accommodations made formally or informally. Patrons making official requests for accommodations should obtain a specific referral from the College’s Disability Services Office, and make an appointment with a Library Disability Services Liaison. Two Disability Services Liaisons, Associate Director for Public Services, Doris Ann Sweet (617-521-2743 or dasweet@simmons.edu) and Access Services Librarian Meg Ragland (617-521-2782 or ragland@simmons.edu), work closely with the College’s Disability Services Office and with patrons who officially identify themselves as requiring accommodations.

The Library, however, does not limit its special services to those who are formally entitled to accommodations. The Disability Service Liaisons and other Library staff welcome communication from any library user about a need and possible solutions. In many circumstances, frontline staff may be able to make decisions that will resolve service issues in a timely manner for people with disabilities.

Services

Reference librarians provide extended reference service through all venues (reference desk, phone, online) to the extent possible during regularly scheduled service hours, and also schedule reference appointments for further, uninterrupted assistance. Contact the Beatley Reference Desk at 617.521.2784 or select AskNow on the Library homepage my.simmons.edu/library .

Librarians, upon request, will provide a customized tour of the Library and an introduction to services and resources. Contact one of the Disability Services Liaisons, Associate Director for Public Services, Doris Ann Sweet (617-521-2743 dasweet@simmons.edu) or Access Services Librarian Meg Ragland (617-521-2782 ragland@simmons.edu).

Library staff will offer the following services based on a formal accommodation request that is vetted through the Disability Services Office:

Extended loan and reserve periods
Library cards for proxy borrowers
Mailing of resources to home or dorm
Reservation of group study room for single person use

Collections

In general, access to collections refers to both content access and physical access, and includes both electronic and print material.

Library staff can:

Physically retrieve material for a patron or guide them to it
Extend loan periods on a one-time or short-term basis
Provide headsets or hand-held magnifiers at the Access Services Desk or the Technology Desk, where these items can be checked out . A hand-held magnifier can also be borrowed from the Reference Desk.

The College’s Web Office and many of our electronic resource vendors are aware of the importance of presenting electronic material that conforms to universal design and usability best practices. Questions, concerns, and suggestions about any of the interfaces should be directed to the Web and Electronic Resources Librarian, Megan Fox (617 521-2742, or fox@simmons.edu).

Equipment

The Beatley Library works in collaboration with Technology at Simmons College and the Office of Disability Services to provide patrons with access to a variety of equipment and services. If the Library does not offer equipment or software a student needs for academic support, the Disability Services Office will offer advice and help with locating specific resources (e.g., Jaws or ZoomText.)

Technology is responsible for most of the equipment in the Library’s Information Commons, with the exception of the photocopiers and microfilm reader, which are overseen by Circulation Desk staff. Technology Desk staff provides technical assistance and help using hardware and software within the Library. Special equipment and software include the following:

CCTV (closed-circuit television), which allows magnified display of print text on a monitor (located on Level 2 of the Library)
Large print and Braille keyboards
Track ball mice for people with mobility impairments.
An icon on the desktop of each workstation for easy access to operating system accessibility features.

Technology staff offer basic assistance with use of this technology, and the Office of Disability Services arranges for more comprehensive training for library users who need it.

In addition, Technology Desk staff members have special training in accessibility features found in XP and OSX operating systems and will assist users with these features.

Facilities

Physical library space in the Beatley Library and the CRL has been designed and built in accordance with ADA requirements. Even so, some people with disabilities may find barriers to full use of our new facilities, as well as the older space now housing the School of Management Library. All staff members are sensitive to library users who have special needs and for whom some feature of the facilities may inhibit library use. Any issues with physical space and equipment in the library should be brought to the attention of Library staff. Service desk telephone numbers are posted by the campus phones located in the library

The Beatley Library’s two book returns, and other book returns, including that of the Career Resource Library, are positioned to allow patrons to return materials independently. These returns are clearly marked. Any issues with these book returns should be brought to the attention of the Access Services Librarian, Meg Ragland (617-521-2782 or ragland@simmons.edu).

Emergency and building evacuation procedures are developed and overseen by the Simmons College Department of Public Safety, which can be contacted at 617-521-1112.

Policy Development

The Simmons Library values the opinions of all its patrons. We seek input from patrons with disabilities whenever we create, revise, or publish our policies and procedures on services to people with disabilities. Please contact the Disability Services Liaisons with comments and suggestions:Associate Director for Public Services, Doris Ann Sweet (617-521-2743; dasweet@simmons.edu) and Access Services Librarian Meg Ragland (617-521-2782; ragland@simmons.edu ).

MySimmons

Simmons College Intranet for Current Students, Faculty and Staff

Navigation: