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Services for Patrons with Disabilities

The University Library welcomes the opportunity of serving all members of the Santa Clara University community. SCU students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessible Education for information on available University resources and services. The University Library provides the following additional services to current SCU students, faculty, staff, and courtesy card holders with disabilities:

For assistance with any of these library services or accessing library resources, please visit the Learning Commons Help Desk (librarycirc@scu.edu, 408-554-5020).

Adaptive Equipment

An Adaptive Technology Workstation is available for use on the first floor of the Learning Commons. It features a motorized adjustable table and a dedicated scanner.

Collections in Alternative Formats

Electronic Books (eBooks)

  • The Library has an extensive collection of eBooks, which are books published in an electronic format. They are generally full-text searchable and may be downloadable.
  • Ebooks can be located by searching OneSearch.

Large Print Books

  • The Library does not maintain a significant in-house collection of large print books. However, large print books are available to current SCU students, faculty, and staff through LINK+, a consortium of regional public and academic libraries. To search for large print books, go to the LINK+ catalog, choose Keyword Search and add the words " and large print" to your search.

Book Retrieval / Paging Service

  • Patrons with disabilities may request the retrieval of library materials from the stacks. Patrons can either use the Request this Item option in OSCAR (the Library’s online catalog) if available, or make a request at the Library Help Desk.
  • Depending on the number of requests, items may either be retrieved upon request or available for pick-up the following day.

Circulation Services & Proxy Borrowing

  • Current SCU students, faculty, or staff with disabilities may be eligible to checkout non-circulating materials. Requests may be made at the Library Help Desk.
  • SCU students with disabilities may designate an individual as a proxy borrower for the purpose of checking out materials on their behalf. To set up proxy borrowing, the patron of record must complete and submit the Request for Research Assistant/Proxy Borrower Accommodation form. Please note:
    • The patron of record remains responsible for any items checked out on their account.
    • Items circulate for the standard student circulation period and circulation notices are sent to the patron of record.

Scanning and Printing

  • Requests for help with scanning and printing can be made at the Library Help Desk. Library staff will scan or print a reasonable number of items for persons with disabilities.
  • Depending on the number of items to be scanned or printed and staff availability, requests may be available for pick up the next day.

Individual Assistance

  • Library staff are available to assist persons with disabilities in using OSCAR (the Library’s online catalog), using other library databases, and locating materials within the Library.
  • For assistance, please visit the Library Help Desk.

Building Access and Parking

  • The Learning Commons is an accessible building, equipped with automatic entrance/exit doors, elevators, and wheelchair accessible restrooms.
  • All service desks have wheelchair accessible counters and wheelchair accessible computer workstations are available for use on the first and second floors.
  • Disabled access parking spaces are available on the first floor of the parking structure located next to the Learning Commons.