CSUN WordmarkOviatt Library

Services for Users with Disabilities

The CSUN Oviatt Library is committed to providing accessibility to library materials, programs, and services to all of its users. All staff members working in public services areas of the CSUN Oviatt Library will make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests from users with disabilities. If your disability is invisible, please identify yourself as having a disability when seeking assistance.

The Oviatt Library houses over 1,000,000 items and includes material in a variety of formats. The collection includes books-on-tape and closed-captioned videos. Most library materials are available for a two-week check-out period (excluding periodicals and reference materials).

Librarians staff the Reference Desk during most hours the Library is open. For lengthier consultations, students are welcome to make appointments with Subject Specialist Librarians.

General information regarding Library services may be obtained by calling the Library's Information Desk at (818) 677-2285 (voice) or (818) 677-7696 (TTY).

Access to Library Services

Computers/Assistive Technology

The Library has established four assistive technology study rooms featuring a wide range of sophisticated hardware and software designed to increase access to Library resources for students with disabilities. The rooms are located on the first floor of the west wing. CSUN students wishing to use one of these rooms may obtain a key at the circulation desk. Students will be asked to present their card from the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) indicating that they have received appropriate training on the equipment.

In addition to the Library's assistive technology rooms, the reference room features one wheelchair-accessible computer workstation.

Locating and Retrieving Materials

Library staff will make every effort to assist you in obtaining information from library databases or other library resources that are inaccessible to you.

If you find that the library stacks or other areas of the library are inaccessible to you, please ask for assistance at the Circulation desk (first floor, lobby area). The number of items retrieved per day may be limited due to staffing or workload considerations.

Photocopying

If you are unable to use a photocopier, you may have materials copied at the West Coast Copy office located on the first floor, northeast corner of the reference room (regular, "per copy" fees apply). Please note: the copy center's hours and availability may vary from regular library operating hours. It may be preferable to arrange to have someone accompany you to the library to assist you in making photocopies. Additional information on photocopying may be obtained from West Coast Copy.

Book Renewals

Renew your books online when you access your patron record in the Library Catalog.

You may also renew books via one of three additional methods:

  • In person at the Oviatt Library's Circulation Desk
  • Using the library's renewal form on the web OR
  • Calling the library's telephone renewal line at (818) 677-4745

Reader Provisions

Staff CANNOT read from books and periodicals for patrons. Students should contact the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) in advance of their needs for guidelines on research assistance.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), PL101-336, extends civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities. These rights include equal access to employment, public service, public accommodations provided by private entities, transportation, and telecommunications. The current standards developed to comply with ADA and ABA (Architectural Barriers Act of 1968) are listed at

http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/final.cfm

Additionally, the full-text of Section 508, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards can be found at

http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm

Additional Information

Restrooms, Telephones, and Drinking Fountains

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available on all floors of the library.

A public pay telephone with tele-typewriter (TTY) is located near the "down" escalator on the first floor. The Library's reference room features a campus telephone with TTY access for patrons wishing to contact other departments located on the CSUN campus.

Wheelchair-accessible drinking fountains are available on all floors of the library.

Building Access

Entry

The CSUN University Library features wheelchair accessible entry ramps located to the east and west of the building's main entrance. The main entrance also features a power-assisted door for building entry.

Elevators

An elevator accessible to all floors (once inside the library) is available in the library's east wing. The elevator located in the central portion of the library provides public access to first-fourth floors (no basement access).

Parking

Students

Information on disabled student parking locations can be found on the CSUN Parking & Transportation page.

Visitors

Campus parking information may be obtained at the CSUN Information booth located at Lindley and Nordhoff streets (south side of campus).

Campus Contacts/web pages

Off-Campus Web Sites of Interest

Have a suggestion for the library?

Please contact the following individual if you have questions regarding current library services for students with disabilities or for suggestions regarding future library services:

Mara Houdyshell
Reference & Instructional Services
(818) 677-3840
mara.houdyshell@csun.edu