Services for Users with Disabilities

Rationale

As our University Library mission states: "We collaborate with our diverse campus community to ensure user-centered learning experiences, welcoming environments, and accessible information resources in order to facilitate scholarly inquiry and prepare students to be critical thinkers who are engaged members of their local, regional, and global communities." The Library upholds and practices the principles of the CSUSM Mission Statement and the Library Bill of Rights, endorsed by the American Library Association.

To that end, all library staff offer quality service to all library users. While this document highlights particular services, the Library accommodates users with disabilities on a case-by-case basis, based on their specific needs, and within the parameters of library policies.

This document will be reviewed as needed.

Library Liaison

The role of the Library Liaison to Users with Disabilities includes:

  • Serves as a contact person for students with disabilities by appointment, via online chat, email, or telephone.
  • Encourages their use of the library and development of information literacy skills.
  • Provides library research assistance if subject liaisons are unavailable.
  • Provides feedback on library policies or services related to users with disabilities. 
  • Works to increase library staff awareness about persons with disabilities and the disabilities themselves.
  • Maintains good working relationships with Disability Support Services.

Individual Assistance

Due to the volume of students in the Hybrid Learning Lab area on the Library's 3rd floor, library staff will get students started on research and then check back on their progress as needed. During quiet times, we may be able to spend 10-15 minutes with students; if more in-depth help is needed, students are encouraged to schedule a research appointment with the Library Liaison or appropriate subject librarian.

Staff at the Research Help desk will assist with searching for library materials in the catalog and with basic reference questions. Students registered with DSS can print for free in the Adaptive Technology Lab by providing their own paper. Users with questions regarding the Adaptive Technology Lab can contact DSS at (760) 750-4905.

Students are also able to pay-for-print in the Research Help Desk area. Library staff will assist with a reasonable number of requests for printing assistance or to fill out library forms for persons unable to do so by themselves. The definition of a “reasonable” number depends on staff workload at the time the user seeks assistance.

We do not provide reading services, i.e. reading personal e-mails or textbooks, or other non-library related activities. The DSS office on campus can provide additional resources such as readers for textbooks.

Check Out Privileges

All students may renew their Cal State San Marcos books either online or over the telephone. To renew books online go to Renew Materials/Your Account and follow the instructions. To renew books by telephone call the Circulation Desk at (760) 750-4348.

Permission to check out reference materials for short periods of time may be granted at the discretion of the Librarian on call. Parts of multi-volume sets and high use materials may not, however, be available for circulation. Inquiries about reference material loans may be made at the Research Help Desk at (760) 750-4391.

Telephone/Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)

TTY/TDD – To contact the library using a TDD device call the Circulation Desk at (760) 750-3163. Library staff in this area have been trained in the use of the TDD device and can provide phone assistance for library related questions.

Research questions

Research assistance is available in many formats, including in person, via online chat, phone, email, or by appointment. Please refer to our Ask a Librarian page for hours of availability.

For telephone research questions, call the Research Help Desk at (760) 750-4391. For questions regarding checking out of materials, reserve materials, interlibrary loan etc., call the Circulation Desk at (760)750-4348.

Online chat with a librarian can be accessed at the library home page.

Paging of Books

Library materials will be paged upon request for users with disabilities. Requests for paging of items should be made at the Circulation Desk on the 3rd floor of the Library. Items will be retrieved based on staff availability and students will be notified when they should return for the materials. Materials paged after regular business hours (8 am to 5 pm) may not be available until the next business day.

Photocopying and Printing

All users pay-for-print for photocopying and printing from computers. Users with disabilities preventing them from operating a copier, printer, or microform/reader printer may seek reasonable assistance from the Research Help desk on the 3rd floor or the Student Technology Help Desk on the 2nd floor.

General questions regarding printing should be directed to the Student Technology Help Desk at (760)750-6505.

Students registered with DSS can print for free in the Adaptive Technology Lab by providing their own paper. Users with questions regarding the Adaptive Technology Lab can contact DSS at (760) 750-4905.

Library Handouts and Brochures

The library publishes a variety of material, much of which can be found on the Library's website. Contact the Library Liaison for more details and for specific requests to convert these materials to an alternative format.

Adaptive Equipment

All the student log-in computers on the 3rd floor have access to Microsoft's Accessibility accessories. There are two adjustable wheelchair accessible workstations on the 3rd floor of the University Library. 

Adaptive Technology Lab

The Adaptive Technology Lab is located on the 3rd floor of the library in the Hybrid Learning Lab (KEL 3404) and contains the following assistive devices:

  • Braille printer
  • Braille Display Keyboard
  • JAWS screen reader
  • Kurzweil 3000
  • Naturally Speaking
  • Scanner
  • CCTV
  • Cranktop Tables
  • ZoomText software

For access to the Adaptive Technology Lab, DSS students can receive a personal access card from the DSS office. Students not registered with DSS can check out an access card from the Library Circulation Desk.

For assistance in the lab contact:

Parking

CSUSM Parking Services has provided spaces which are designated for use by disabled persons who possess a valid DMV placard/license plate.  Most disabled spaces are located in lot H, while the closest spaces to the Library are in lot C. A current validated DMV plate/placard must be properly displayed along with a Cal State San Marcos semester, long term or daily parking permit to park in the disabled parking spaces. Contact Parking Services at (760) 750-7500 for more information.

Safety

The library is concerned with the safety of persons with disabilities. Procedures concerning the proper evacuation of persons with disabilities are located in the Library's Evacuation Plan. The Library consults with Disability Support Services when developing and modifying such plans.

Links to Information & Services

General

Services

Last updated 02/23

Contact

Disability Support Services (DSS): 

John Segoria, CRA 4200, jsegoria@csusm.edu or (760) 750-4905

University Library: 

Char Booth, KEL 3000, cbooth@csusm.edu or (760) 750-4336

Submit a Quick Question.

Library Services Desk staff will respond to your email within 24 hours.

Library Services Desk:

Call: (760) 750-4348

We can be reached during the Library's operational hours. Please check the library website for hours.