Services for Persons with Disabilities

Need Assistance?

Whenever you need assistance in the Library, please notify a Library staff member at any public service desk, or email our staff at atc@mail.lib.msu.edu.

The MSU Libraries work with persons with disabilities to ensure their effective use of the Library and its resources. An accessible building, the Assistive Technology Center, and a variety of assistance programs are offered by the libraries. The Access Team, a group of Libraries' staff from various units, works together to provide ongoing services to persons with disabilities. They work closely with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) to coordinate services where possible.

Many services are available on-demand. However, assistance requiring more than 10 minutes of a staff member's time, in any department, will require an appointment. If you have a unique situation that requires assistance that is not currently offered, please contact us at atc@mail.lib.msu.edu and we will consider other options.

Circulation Services (Lobby)
Phone: 517.355.2333

Circulation staff will usually retrieve up to 5 items on request. Long lists of material that need to be retrieved must be arranged through the Access Team at atc@mail.lib.msu.edu.

In the Main Library, lockers may be checked out by MSU-affiliated borrowers for one semester for storage of belongings and checked out library materials. Hearing impaired patrons can call the Main Library’s TTY number (517-353-9034) for renewals, extended searches and other Circulation requests.

Reference Services

Reference help, including assistance with using reference books and the Library’s catalog, is available at the Main Library Reference Desk (Lobby or by using "Ask a Librarian"). Extensive assistance may require a scheduled appointment, which can be arranged by contacting the Access Team.

Photocopy Services

Assistance with self-service photocopying is available as staffing allows at the Library Copy Center (on 2-West) at the current price. Without extra charge, material can be left at the Copy Center for the staff to copy.

Map Library

The Map Library, located on 3-West, has a collection of several dozen tactile maps--primarily state maps and world continents. For assistance, ask at the Map Library Desk.

InterLibrary Services

For MSU students, staff, and faculty, the MSU Libraries requests material not owned by MSU from other institutions. To order such items, refer to the InterLibrary Services web pages. Materials that also include Braille and audio versions of books may be requested from the Library of Michigan's Office of Services to the Blind and Handicapped (call 1-800-992-9012).

Other Available Services

Wheelchair accessible Library catalog workstations are located in the Beaumont Instruction Room on 1-East. All machines in the Microforms Library (2-West) are accessible, as are microform readers in Government Documents (3-West) and Reference (1-East). Microform copiers are available in the Library Copy Center on 2-West. The MSU Libraries’ Main Library is wireless making it convenient to use your personal laptops.

Services Available Remotely/Remote Services

In addition, the Main Library has a TTY number (Phone: 517-353-9034) for placing information requests; messages can be left 24-hours a day for service as needed. Deaf/hard of hearing patrons may also contact the Main Library from any computer by accessing the virtual services of the Library from our home page at http://www.lib.msu.edu and e-mailing a question to Reference or a subject bibliographer.

One read aloud room is available for your convenience. Check out a key at the Circulation Desk.

Facility Accommodations

Assistive Technology

The following equipment is available for use in the Libraries’ ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER, across from the Circulation Desk:

  1. Sara - Scanning and Reading Appliance
  2. ClearView 700 (text magnifying equipment)
  3. ZoomText
  4. (Perkins) Braille writer
  5. 4-Track cassette recorders
  6. Phonic Ear Transmitter and Receiver, Conference Microphone (Ask for assistance at the Reference Desk or email the Access Team.)
  7. Kurzweil 1000 - Kurzweil Reading System
  8. Kurzweil 3000 - another version of the Kurzweil Reading System
  9. Jaws - speech output software
  10. Dragon Naturally Speaking -- speech recognition software
  11. Alva ABT-340 Braille Terminal
  12. TTY - telecommunication device located in Distance Learning Services
  13. Amigo Deluxe RD - motorized cart located by the Circulation desk (The key is available at the Circulation Desk. The Amigo must be checked out for use.)

For a complete description of adaptive equipment available, please visit our website at http://www2.lib.msu.edu/about/atc/index.jsp.

RCPD Services for MSU Students and Employees with Disabilities

The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) at Michigan State University offers a variety of services and equipment for use by disabled students. RCPD exists to facilitate the success of students, faculty and staff with disabilities with a full variety of auxiliary aids and services. Currently enrolled students, faculty and staff may wish to register and work with an RCPD staff member. RPCD facilities are located in 120 Bessey Hall. Telephone numbers are 517-353-9642, or 517-353-9643 (voice or TTY). The URL is http://rcpd.msu.edu/.

RCPD Services Include:

Whenever you need assistance in the Library, please notify a Library staff member at any public service desk.

Access Team contact: Denise Forro, forro@msu.edu

Modified: 09/10/07

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