Accessibility

We are committed to providing equitable access to Libraries spaces, services, and resources for all students, faculty, staff, and community users. If you need help, please visit one of our service desks or or contact us via our Ask the Library page.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, see our Diversity Statement and our Guiding Statements.

Two key resources:

SensusAccess: Convert documents into alternate, less challenging formats, such as digital Braille, MOBI, EPUB, and audio or translate to another language with the Libraries’ SensusAccess accessibility tool.

HathiTrust: JMU community members who are blind or qualify for print disability services through JMU’s Office of Disability Services may obtain an accessible copy of any book in the HathiTrust collection. Learn more on HathiTrust’s accessibility page.

Services

The JMU Libraries strives to provide collections, services, and programs that reflect a variety of perspectives and lived experiences. Please see Services & Spaces for a complete listing of services available in the libraries.

Ask The Library Service
  • Library book and journal shelving may be difficult for people to navigate and use. We can retrieve books from any JMU library for you to pick up at any library, without restriction or excuse. We can also scan articles from JMU-owned journals and deliver them electronically. Request materials through Interlibrary Loan or by logging in to the library catalog.
  • E-books, e-journals, and databases are available on and off campus to JMU students, faculty, and staff. Learn how to connect to JMU’s online resources from off campus. We work with publishers and vendors to ensure accessibility compliance according to the ADA.
  • Library staff, liaison librarians, and instructional designers are available for individual and group consultations in person, by phone, and online via email, or online conferencing. Visit our Consultation and Instruction page to request a consultation.
  • Instructional designers and library staff are available to consult with faculty on making their courses more accessible and inclusive, including on universal design for learning, video captioning, and technology affordances for accessibility. Contact us via Ask the Library.
  • We provide a variety of events and self-paced Canvas courses, some of which are on topics relevant to accessibility and inclusion in teaching, learning, and research. Faculty, don’t miss our Learning Access Through University Design self-paced Canvas course!
  • Students needing additional help studying for or taking the MREST due to a learning or other disability may email Kathy Clarke, the First Year Librarian. Students registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) may take the MREST in the ODS computer lab. Contact the Office of Disability Services for more information. All of the tutorials in the Madison Research Essentials Toolkit are closed-captioned and have transcripts.
  • The Libraries partners with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to provide accessible classroom materials for groups and individuals. Examples include 3D printed models and accessible PDFs of print materials. Please contact the Office of Disability Services for more information.
  • Our De-stress for Success resource guide and events are designed to help you reduce your stress load. Throughout the year we host therapy dogs, coloring and other craft tables, and mindfulness events that are open to anyone in the community.
  • Our accessibility-related online resource displays include: Disability: History, Rights & Lived Experiences and Disability Advocacy Week 2023.

Spaces

We strive to create equitable, accessible, and welcoming library spaces that support the diverse learning and research needs of our diverse campus community. Please see our Library Locations pages for information about spaces, features, technology, and collections in the JMU Libraries facilities.

Disability Awareness Book Display

Maps, Parking, and Entrances

The JMU map includes accessibility information about parking, entrances, and building features for these library locations:

Universal Restrooms

Rose Library has two universal restrooms. They are single-occupancy, accessible restrooms located within the Rose Library 24/7 Space. A JACard is required for entry to the 24/7 space.

JMU Libraries Express has one universal, single-occupancy, accessible restroom.

Accessible Technology Lab

Rose Library has an Accessible Technology Lab. Students, faculty, or staff interested in using the lab should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS).

Resources

Help Us Improve

  • We are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment for all visitors, through staff training, outreach, and physical and virtual space improvements. If you experience a problem or barrier at the JMU Libraries, please report it via JMU’s Report Accessibility Barriers form. This helps us receive, track, and fix barriers quickly and transparently.
  • If you have ideas about how the Libraries could better support you or others with disabilities, please either contact us via the Ask the Library page, or email Dean Bethany Nowviskie.