Services for People with Disabilities
The UC Davis Library is committed to providing equal access to all users, at our library buildings and on our website, as articulated in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Users with disability-related needs are encouraged to request accommodations.
Help with Research and Library Materials
Help with Research
Librarians are available to assist users during normal business hours. We encourage you to make an appointment in advance so we can best meet your needs. When you submit your request, please note if you are using assistive technology.
Help with Library Access
Advanced registration with the UC Davis Student Disability Center (students) or Disability Management Services (faculty and staff) is required for most of the following services. Please email library.accessibility@ucdavis.edu with questions regarding these services.
- Request real-time paging of books and other physical items, in-person at the Circulation Desk. Up to five items may be paged while the library user is present (generally within 15-30 minutes)
- To request books and other physical items in advance, please use the “UCD request” link in UC Library Search (no registration/accommodation required)
- Sign up for a proxy card. Disabled users may designate one individual to act as their proxy
- Modified lending rules, as appropriate for the user’s circumstances, are available including but not limited to:
- Borrowing of non-circulating items
- Requesting of physical materials in lieu of e-books
- Paging up to 25 items within 24-48 hours
- Self-service photocopying or scanning of materials is available. Alternatively, users may bring an assistant to use the library’s public photocopiers or contract with an information vendor (no registration/accommodation required)
Accessible Digitized Books in HathiTrust
HathiTrust is a partnership of academic & research institutions, offering a collection of millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world. Eligible UC Davis users with a visual or print disability can receive special, full-text access to in-copyright materials in HathiTrust.
Advanced registration with the UC Davis Student Disability Center (students) or Disability Management Services (faculty and staff) is required to take advantage of this service.
Assistive Technology
- The Student Disability Center provides access to print material through assistive technology, reader services, braille, e-text, and enlarged print.
- Public workstations at Blaisdell Medical Library and Shields Library are equipped with the Windows Magnifier app, which can be used to enlarge text on-screen when using digital materials.
Accessible Study Space
At Shields Library
There are eight group study rooms at Shields Library that can be reserved in advance by currently registered UC Davis students. When not reserved, these rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
At Blaisdell Medical Library
There are two study and four collaboration rooms at Blaisdell Medical Library that can be reserved in advance by faculty, staff, and health sciences graduate students with active UC Davis Health badges. When not reserved, these rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional Information
More information on resources available to students with disabilities, and to the faculty and staff serving them, can be found at the Student Disability Center. Qualifying UC Davis students can receive accommodations to assist with library research. Contact the campus Student Disability Center at 530-752‑3184 (voice) or 530-752‑6833 (TTY) to inquire about this program.