Services for Persons with Disabilities

The UC San Diego Library is committed to providing access to library materials, programs, and services for all users. The Library will make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests from users with disabilities. If your disability is not readily discernible, please identify yourself as having a disability when seeking assistance.

Some disability support services are available to all library users and others are limited to UC faculty, students, and staff.

Accessible Parking Access to Geisel Library

Access to an entrance to the Library for those with disabilities is available by driving down Hopkins toward the Library, then turning left before the book drops. Head down the hill via the asphalt driveway. Park in one of the five accessible spots near the reflective glass windows and ring the buzzer on the glass ADA door to the right, to alert library staff that you need assistance. A security officer will come to the door to escort you in.

If you have trouble with the intercom, contact the security officer at at (858) 282-3602.

Accessible parking for library users with disabled placards is available in various other locations on campus. Contact Triton Mobility Services - ADA at (858) 822-2603 for details.

Building Access

All UC San Diego Library buildings have electronic doors, elevators, and accessible restrooms. Contact Library Safety & Security Officer on duty at Officer on Duty (858) 282-3602 (call or text) for further assistance.

Computing & Furnishings

In addition to others throughout the Library, wheelchair-accessible workstations are available in the following locations. Those in wheelchairs have priority use of these stations, though others may also use them.

Computers open for public use: Available in Geisel & WongAvery Library Service Hub
Group Study Rooms Dismdale Family Study Room (2096A) & 2096B in 2 East (Geisel) & Rooms 105 & 110 in the WongAvery Library (1st Floor) feature automatic door openers, lower whiteboards, and height-adjustable tables.
Media Viewing: The Individual Media Viewing Stations in the Digital Media Lab (Geisel 2nd Floor East) provides playback stations for audiovisual materials from its collections (including reserve items). Format support includes DVD, Blu-ray, and VHS. See the Geisel's Service Hub to arrange onsite viewing.

Locating Materials & Information

If a disability prevents you from using keyboards to search online catalogs and/or using other library equipment or resources, library staff can assist. At times, immediate assistance may not be available due to staffing or workload considerations. When possible, contact LearningSpaces@ucsd.edu in advance to make arrangements.

Retrieving Materials

Library staff can retrieve known items (print material not currently checked out) from library shelves or other areas inaccessible to you. Whenever possible, contact Front Desk staff via email at LibraryBorrowing@ucsd.edu or call 858-534-0134 in advance to make arrangements. Same-day retrieval and/or number of items retrieved per day may be limited due to staffing or workload considerations.

Proxy Borrowing Privileges

Library users with valid UCSD Library borrowing privileges may designate another individual as a proxy to borrow materials for them if temporary or permanent disability prevents visiting the Library in person. Contact Geisel Library's Front Desk staff via email at LibraryBorrowing@ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-0134 in advance to make arrangements.

Office for Students with Disabilities

Registered UC San Diego students are eligible for assistance from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). The OSD Room in Geisel Library (2nd/Main Floor East, Room 2069) has a computer equipped with adaptive equipment. Request access to the room and training to use the equipment by contacting the OSD (osd@ucsd.edu). Users of the OSD Room will be held to the OSD Room Use Policies.

For further questions about the OSD Room and accommodations for students, contact the OSD at (858) 534-4382 (voice) or (858) 534-9709 (TTY).

Service Animals

Service animals, though not emotional support or therapy animals, are welcome in the UC San Diego Library. In order to help maintain a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for all Library users and staff, service animals must be in physical proximity with their handler and under handler control at all times. Service animals may not be left unattended by their handler at any time. Please refer to the Library Guidelines for Individuals with Service Animals for more details.