The University Libraries are committed to providing an accessible, inclusive experience for all library users.
We offer services and support to ensure equitable access to library materials and services and we will make every effort to accommodate accessibility requests. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Building Accessibility for Belk Library & Information Commons
- Parking & Transit:
- Pass & placard: Monday-Friday from 8am-7pm, you need both a university/visitor parking permit and a disability placard to park in designated accessible parking spaces on campus. After 7pm and on weekends, you only need a disability placard. Contact Parking & Traffic for visitor parking passes and accessible parking information, and see the campus map for parking lots and access ramps near the library.
- Transit: AppalCART provides paratransit service in wheelchair-accessible vans for locations near campus. Pre-registration and reservations are required.
- Dropoff/pickup location: The most convenient location for dropoff/pickup at Belk Library is the College Street bus circle. There is a short sidewalk with curb cuts from the bus circle to the back entrance of Belk Library. See the map of parking lots and access ramps near the library.
- Entrances: Belk Library's exterior entrance has access ramps and power-assist doors.
- Elevators: All floors are accessible by elevator. Elevator locations are marked in purple on the floor plan.
- Restrooms: All library restrooms have accessible stalls. Single-occupancy restrooms are located on the fourth floor.
- Quiet floor and study rooms: The third floor of Belk Library is a designated quiet floor for those who need a study space with fewer distractions. You may also book a study room.
Building Accessibility for the Hickory Library & Information Commons
- Parking: ADA parking spots are available in the main parking lot by the main entrance.
- Entrances: There are power assist doors located at the Main entrance and both side entrances.
- Elevators: In the lobby off the main entrance are two elevators that go from the first floor to the fifth floor. There is a secondary elevator by the leftside of the atrium which goes to the ground floor and up to the second floor.
- Restrooms: In the lobby of the main entrance behind the service desk are two one-stall bathrooms. In the faculty commons are two one-stall restrooms and an accessible multi-stall restroom.
Building Accessibility for the Music Library
- Parking: ADA parking spots are available in the Broyhill lot in front of the Broyhill Music Center (BMC).
- Entrances: There is a power-assist door on the north side entrance. Use the walkway between Walker Hall and the BMC to reach the north side entrance.
- Elevators: From the north side entrance, go right into the Main Lobby, and go straight past the staircase and a tan locker bay to get to the elevators, which will be on the left. Take the elevator to the second floor, turn right out of the elevator, and follow the hallway straight ahead to the Music Library.
- Restrooms: The closest accessible restrooms to the Music Library are on the second floor, across from the elevators. There are also accessible restrooms on the first floor in the Rosen Lobby (to the left of side entrance once you enter the building).
Access to Materials
- Item retrieval: For assistance retrieving items from the stacks, visit or contact the service desk. You may also request items and have them held at the desk for you. Faculty, doctoral, and distance/online students can request office/home delivery.
- Alternate formats: If you need library materials in an alternate format due to an accessibility concern, please use the Contact Form, select "Suggest Material for Library Purchase" as the category, and specify in your message that an alternate format is needed for accommodation. We can also borrow some items, such as large print versions of books, through Interlibrary Loan.
- Document conversion: SensusAccess is a self-service document conversion tool available to all students, staff, and faculty. SensusAccess converts text and image-based files into more accessible formats, including audio, Braille, or e-text formats.
- Online resources: If you encounter accessibility barriers while using the library website or databases, please contact us so that we can correct the issue and/or work with the database vendor to resolve the problem.
Software & Equipment
- The Assistive Technology Room (141) in Belk Library contains equipment that provides alternate ways to access and use library resources for people with disabilities related to vision, hearing, learning, or mobility. The room is open and staff at the library service desk can help users get started.
- The Tech Checkout Desk offers laptops, tablets, noise cancelling headphones and other equipment for checkout.
Service Animals
- The University Libraries adhere to Appalachian’s Animals on Campus policy.
- In accordance with this policy, the libraries permit only service animals.