Parking

We have free onsite parking, including designated disabled spaces. Please see our Contact Us page for details on how to find us by car.

Personal Belongings

Free lockers are available for your possessions as well as coat storage should you require it. The lockers are available at various heights to accommodate all users.

General Access to the building

There is level access to a revolving door at the entrance which is not automated so you will need to push it. If you are unable to use the revolving door, please use the disabled access door to the right of the revolving door. Please see details below in the Disabled Access to the building section below for more information.

There are free to use toilets available with laminated flooring and hand dryers. The gents has two urinals and one toilet. The ladies' has three toilets. Sanitary provision is available in the middle cubicle of the ladies' toilets as well as the disabled toilet.

The internal doors are large and not automated. They can be heavy to push or pull. Please ask a member of staff for assistance should you require it.

There are height adjustable chairs in the searchroom with cushions available to sit on should you find the chairs too hard. There are two comfy chairs with a low level coffee table, as well as a breakfast bar with stools in reception.

Kik steps are available for reaching high level shelves in the reference library or for taking photographs of documents from above on the map table. These are for use at your own risk.

We ask that you respect the quiet working atmosphere in the searchroom though please accept that some talking is to be expected from staff and visitors alike.

There is low level background noise from the air conditioning system and lighting is available throughout.

Disabled Access to the building

There are four designated disabled parking spaces available in the visitor car park with step free level access along the sides of the building towards the entrance.

There is a disabled access door to the right of the revolving door at the entrance. Unfortunately it is not automated so if you do not have someone with you to push/pull open the door, a member of staff can do this for you.

There is an accessible toilet with laminated flooring, horizontal grab rail on the right, pull down arm on the left and emergency pull cord. The door opens outwards. Sanitary provision is available in this toilet. The accessible toilet can be used by anyone but is primarily for use by those with a disability.

All the public rooms are on the ground floor of the building which is laid with carpet tiles.

The internal doors are large and not automated. They can be heavy to push or pull. Please ask a member of staff for assistance should you require it.

There is a lower section of the Reception Desk to assist wheelchair users when signing in or paying for items.

All desks in the searchroom are at low level for ease of access.

Please ask a member of staff for assistance should you require it, for example to access material on high level shelves in the library area.

Unfortunately, we do not have a hearing loop system.

Please see our Accessibility page for details relating to website accessibility.

Internet Access

There is a free public Wi-Fi network  available onsite.

Food and Drink

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink to consume onsite, though it cannot be taken into the searchroom. Please remember to wash your hands after eating.

You can use the breakfast bar and stools, or one of two comfy chairs with low level coffee table in the reception area to sit and have a break. If the weather is good, you can also sit outside on the concrete benches.

We are able to offer chocolate biscuit style snacks as well as hot drinks for you to purchase. Free cold water is available from a dispenser.

We have rubbish bins onsite though we do not have a recycling facility. Please take any recyclable items home to recycle it through your kerbside recycling, or local recycling centre.

As the reception area is a large open space, smells from food and drink consumed onsite can travel, even into the searchroom area.

The nearest shop is about 3 minutes’ walk away with limited parking should you need to drive.

The nearest indoor places to eat are in Reading town centre, which is about 10 minutes' walk away. There are many carparks available should you need to drive there. Please see the Reading Borough council web page for their location.  Please do bear this in mind if you plan to stay all day.