We have a dedicated team within University Library and Collections to support students and staff with library-related queries, concerns or requests regarding accessibility and more specific disability support requirements.
We want our libraries to be as accessible as possible and aim to offer a personal service based on your individual needs. This may include any of the following:
You can book a Disability Support (DS) Room at Bill Bryson Library. These are individual study rooms, available to students and staff registered with the University’s Disability Support Service.
For information on Disability Support Rooms available at ISC Library, please visit our dedicated guide.
To book a Disability Support Study Room, you will need to use our Space Booking system which you can access by using your University login details. For more information on using the system and to watch a helpful video guide, visit our Study Space guide.
If you need any help booking a room, you can contact us through our live chat service or by emailing library.disabilitysupport@durham.ac.uk
All DS study rooms are equipped with the following:
Details of other equipment available in each room are provided below. For details of additional equipment available to borrow, visit our Facilities and Equipment page.
| Room | Equipment available |
|---|---|
| DS Room 1 | Kneeling stool Document holder |
| DS Room 2 |
Power-assisted door |
| DS Room 3 |
Power-assisted door |
| DS Room 4 | Kneeling stool Document holder Angle poise lamp |
Enter the Bill Bryson Library via automatic doors at the main entrance and then use your campus card to gain access through the gates in the lobby, leading onto Level 2. You can expect the gates to make some beeping noises and have some blinking lights. You will pass the IT Service Desk on your way through the lobby, where you can go for IT support.
Help and Information Des
Self-service borrowing and returns machines
Noise levels are generally above average on Level 2, particularly during term time, as it acts as the hub for entry and face-to-face support. You will generally experience lots of background noise, such as conversations and beeping or alarm sounds from the access gates.
The café in the West Wing can be particularly busy and noisy during mealtimes.
The South Wing is usually busy with users entering and exiting the building, and staff answering face-to-face queries in this area.
Moving through towards the East Wing provides a quiet study area, where you can expect low background noise levels. On Level 2, you may still experience a hight level of background noise West, North and South Wings.
It is worth noting that none of the study rooms are completely soundproof. Conversational levels of noise are to be expected, allowing for group work and conference calls etc. Users studying near these areas may experience some low levels of background noise.
During vacation periods, noise levels on level 2 are significantly lower.
Cold, non-messy food and lidded drinks are permitted throughout Level 2. Small Island Coffee sells hot food, which should be eaten in the café. You may experience stronger smells on Level 2, as the hot food is prepared to order.
You will experience more natural light in the South Wing near the windows overlooking the Cathedral, and in the East Wing Atrium. All other areas of level 2 are lit with motion-activated artificial light. This means areas may be dark as you approach them, but the lighting will come on as you pass by the sensors for those areas. On rare occasions, lighting may also turn off after periods of no activity and can be activated again with some movement. There are small windows in the outer walls of the building that provide some natural light.
Lift access to all floors
Noise levels vary as you move through Level 1.
The West Wing is a silent study area, where you can expect a very quiet study environment. Mobile phones should be switched to silent, and food is not permitted in this area to help facilitate silent study.
The South Wing is our collaborative study spaces, where you can expect lots of talking and activity. The collaborative study area is suitable for group work and discussions at a normal volume, with moveable wipe boards available for use.
The East and North Wings are quiet study areas, where you can expect low background noise levels, rather than silent. Please keep conversations to a minimum. On Level 1, you may experience a slightly higher level of background noise from the collaborative study area and beeping from the mobile shelving in those areas.
It is worth noting that none of the study rooms are completely soundproof. Conversational levels of noise are to be expected, allowing for group work and conference calls etc. Users studying near these areas may experience some low levels of background noise.
No food is permitted in the West Wing silent study area. Cold, non-messy food and lidded drinks are permitted in the North, South and East Wings on Level 1. Small Island Coffee on Level 2 sells hot food, which should be eaten in the café.
You will experience more natural light in the South Wing collaborative study area near the windows overlooking the Cathedral, and in the East Wing Atrium. All other areas of level 1 are lit with motion-activated artificial light. This means areas may be dark as you approach them, but the lighting will come on as you pass by the sensors for those areas. On rare occasions, lighting may also turn off after periods of no activity and can be activated again with some movement. There are small windows in the outer walls of the building that provide some natural light. The lighting in the Disability Support Study Rooms in the West Wing can be controlled using dimmer switches, and there are also blinds that can be opened of closed to suit preferences for natural light.
Lift access to all floors
All areas on Level 3 are quiet study areas, where you can expect low background noise levels.
It is worth noting that none of the study rooms are completely soundproof. Conversational levels of noise are to be expected, allowing for group work and conference calls etc. Users studying near these areas may experience some low levels of background noise.
Cold, non-messy food and lidded drinks are permitted across Level 3. Small Island Coffee on Level 2 sells hot food, which should be eaten in the café.
You will experience more natural light in the South Wing near the windows overlooking the Cathedral. All other areas of level 3 are lit with motion-activated artificial light. This means areas may be dark as you approach them, but the lighting will come on as you pass by the sensors for those areas. On rare occasions, lighting may also turn off after periods of no activity and can be activated again with some movement. There are small windows in the outer walls of the building that provide some natural light.
Lift access to all floors
All areas on Level 4 are quiet study areas, where you can expect low background noise levels.
It is also worth noting that none of the study rooms are completely soundproof. Conversational levels of noise are to be expected, allowing for group work and conference calls etc. Users studying near these areas may experience some low levels of background noise.
Cold, non-messy food and lidded drinks are permitted across Level 4. Small Island Coffee on Level 2 sells hot food, which should be eaten in the café.
You will experience more natural light in the South Wing near the windows overlooking the Cathedral and in the balcony area at the top of the East Wing stairs. All other areas of level 4 are lit with motion-activated artificial light. This means areas may be dark as you approach them, but the lighting will come on as you pass by the sensors for those areas. On rare occasions, lighting may also turn off after periods of no activity and can be activated again with some movement. here are small windows in the outer walls of the building that provide some natural light.
Use our sensory maps to help identify areas of the Bill Bryson Library where you may experience strong sensory stimuli, such as noise, smell and lighting. The maps also include other basic information about the library spaces, like study zones and the location of toilets, lifts and staircases. More library floor maps, detailing the location of books, services, facilities and bookable spaces can be found in our Bill Bryson Library guide.
| Bill Bryson Library Durham University Library Stockton Road Durham DH1 3LY Tel: +44 (0)191 334 2967 |
ISC Library Queen's Campus, Stockton University Boulevard Thornaby Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BH Tel: +44 (0)191 334 0270 |
