This year, the Library has been working to ensure their services and spaces are welcoming and accessible for the whole Royal Holloway community. They wanted to understand how they could improve accessibility in the Library. There is no better way to learn what our students need than by talking to you!
As a Library, ensuring that our services and spaces are welcoming and accessible for the whole Royal Holloway community is a key priority. This year, we wanted to understand how we could improve accessibility in the Library. There is no better way to learn what our students need than by talking to you!
In January 2025, we interviewed 14 students with lived experience of disability or neurodivergence about their experiences using library services. They gave us really useful feedback, following which we have made a number of changes. A huge thank-you to everyone who took part!
You said: you wanted more in-person tours of the library.
We’ve created a new bookable tour programme to show people around the library, including our accessible facilities. For Disability History Month, we will also be running an accessibility-focused tour on Wednesday 26 November at 2pm. You can register for the tour and find details of next term’s tours on our website.
We also offer one-to-one tours across the year for anyone who is interested. These can be arranged by emailing us.
You said: you wanted it to be easier to locate information on accessibility in the library.
Our updated ‘Access for All’ LibGuide is a one-stop shop for information on accessibility in the Library. It has information on everything from our accessible equipment, to parking, to choosing the best study space for your needs and how to get accessible library resources. We have also added links on Library Resources A-Z to accessibility guidance for all of the listed e-resources where available.
You said: you wanted a quieter non-silent space for study
Our Whisper Zone behind the stairs on the first floor is a space where you can have low-level conversation or study alone without needing to be silent.
The 50 desks in this room are bookable in advance on Resource Booker so you can be sure of having a quiet place to study when you need it.
You said: you wanted more control over your study environment
We have expanded our range of loanable accessible equipment so you can study in a way that is comfortable for you. All items are loanable for 24-hour periods from the library helpdesk. You can borrow:
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Desktop fans
- LED lamps
- Wrist rests
- Lumbar support cushions
- Ergonomic mice
- Ergonomic and large print keyboard
Your feedback as students is invaluable to us. We hope you are happy with some of the changes we have already made, and we will continue to make changes based on your suggestions.
You can let us know your thoughts on our recent changes by filling in our quick online form.
You are always welcome to get in touch with us with any questions, ideas or feedback.