Enhanced Library Support
An enhanced service for disabled students and students with a learning difficulty or long-term health condition.
We offer a range of support to ensure that our facilities and services are accessible to disabled students and those with a Specific Learning Difference for example dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD.
Whilst our Enhanced Library Support service requires a referral from Disability Support Services, a number of other useful services are available on-demand to all students.
For information about Disability Support Services and how to get a Support Plan visit the Student Services website.
Enhanced Library Support
Libraries offer an enhanced service for disabled students.
This includes:
- Alternative formats (on referral)
- Assistive Technology Rooms (ATRs)
- Enhanced support spaces
- Extended library loan and collection periods
- Support with using the library - searching the catalogue, finding books, scanning etc
Your library loans
- How long can I keep my book for? Books are usually be issued for seven days and will auto-renew everyday unless someone else requests them.
- How do I know when I need to return my book? If someone else has requested your book, we will let you know by email that it hasn't auto-renewed and is due back. So, unless we tell you, you won't have to do anything, just keep the book until you no longer need it.
- Extended high-demand loan periods – Books that are in high demand will be issued for four days only. These items will not renew.
Borrowing books
- Click and Collect and extended collection period - We will pick books from the shelves and save them for you at the lending desk/reservations shelf at your preferred library. If you have declared a disability, you will have seven days to collect your item.
- Postal loans - We currently provide a postal loans service for staff and students who need access to print resources.
Assistive Technology Rooms
Assistive technology rooms are bookable spaces within our libraries that provide access to assistive hardware to support your studies, including adjustable desks, magnifiers and more.
A range of assistive software is available to all students via the University network.
Assistive Technology Rooms can be booked using Click and Study.
- Select 'Assistive Technology and Enhanced Support Rooms' from the 'Location' drop down box.
- Select your preferred library from the 'Category' drop down box and click 'Show availability'.
- Select your preferred room, time and date.
- Follow the instructions to submit your booking.
- Your booking request will be sent to a member of staff to approve.
- You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.
Enhanced Library Support study spaces
Dedicated study rooms for students eligible for Enhanced Library Support are available in Hallward Library, George Green Library, James Cameron-Gifford Library and Greenfield Medical Library.
These rooms can be booked via Click and Study.
- Select 'Assistive Technology and Enhanced Support Rooms' from the 'Location' drop down box.
- Select your preferred library from the 'Category' drop down box and click 'Show availability'
- Select your preferred room, time and date
- Follow the instructions to submit your booking
- Your booking request will be sent to a member of staff to approve.
- You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.
This service produces accessible resource materials for disabled students who cannot access standard text.
The service can also provide advice and guidance to staff who wish to make their own work more accessible.
What formats can be produced?
- Large print
- Braille
- Electronic/screen reader compatible files
- Audio
How to access the service
Students needing AFS support must be referred by Disability Support Services.
For general enquiries contact the Alternative Formats Service.
Alternative Formats Service
Support and bookable tours
Library staff are available to help with searching the catalogue, using databases, finding books and more.
You can also book a tour of the library by:
Back to the top
Services available to all students
The following services are available to all students without a referral and are designed to make it easier to access library services, resources and support.
- Quieter times – For those who prefer a quieter study environment, our libraries are usually quieter before 10am and after 6pm during weekdays or at weekends.
- Click and Collect - Our Click and Collect service is available to all students. Without a referral from Enhanced Library Support, you will have three days to collect your requested items from our libraries.
- Scanning for personal use - request scans of printed materials available in our collections (within copyright restrictions)
- Postal loans - A postal loans service is currently available for students and staff who need to access print resources.
- Click and Study - We offer bookable study space in our libraries, including height-adjustable desks and calm spaces. Calm spaces are ideal for students who particularly prefer a less disruptive study environment.
- Webinars and drop-in sessions - We offer regular drop-in sessions and webinars covering a range of topics from getting started with using our libraries and finding resources to academic writing and time management.
- Academic and information skills support – This team supports students with developing their academic (from note-making and time management to academic writing and referencing) and information skills (finding reliable information, using databases and more) through online resources and workshops
- Help and support - Library staff are available to provide support in-person, on the telephone and online via email and live chat.
- Reading Well @ UoN Libraries - Libraries have worked with colleagues from the University of Nottingham Health Service, Counselling Service and Welfare to create a reading list of books designed to improve your health and wellbeing.
Making studying easier
Explore tools and support services that could help you study more effectively and find out how the university is working towards greater digital accessibility of teaching and learning materials.
Student accessibility
Back to the top