Difference between revisions of "ADA and Bookmobiles"

From Professionaltips
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 16: Line 16:
[[Category:Advocacy and Public Relations]]
[[Category:Services to Special Populations]]
[[Category:Mobile Libraries]]

Revision as of 12:32, 11 April 2012

Q. Are there wheelchair accessibility requirements for bookmobiles? If so, what are the wheelchair accessibility requirements on a 28-foot bookmobile?

A. There are two facets to the answer to this question. The first is: Is physical accessibility required? The second is: If physical accessibility is required, what are the parameters?

For an answer to the first question, see the ADA Guide for Small Towns from the Department of Justice, which states: "If a library facility or building is not accessible, these services may be offered in a different accessible library facility, in another accessible facility nearby, or in an alternate manner."

Notice that the ADA Guide shows an example of an older, smaller bookmobile, which includes this description: "A drawing of an older bookmobile parked in a parking lot with a person using a scooter approaching the side door. The entry door has steps and no ramp. A call button, located on the side of the bookmobile, is pushed to call the staff person to the door to provide service." In this way, the bookmobile is an "alternate manner," as noted above, which brings library services to the disabled library users in the community. The ADA Guide goes on to say: "What is important is that the same services be available to individuals with disabilities as are offered to others ­ such as doing research, using the card catalog or cataloging device, reading or reviewing items usually held in reserve or special collections, and returning loaned items."

There are newer, larger bookmobiles that are already compliant with the ADA requirements and include lifts for disabled patrons. For wheelchair accessibility, the usual ADA space requirements apply, including a minimum clear aisle space of 36 inches (a minimum of 42 inches is preferred).

Addendum: In May, 2008, the Jersey City Free Public Library unveiled a custom-built disabled-accessible bookmobile.