Hamilton City Libraries are committed to providing equal access to library collections, services, and facilities. We strive to make our Library spaces as easy to use for all library users. 

All our branches have wide aisles and height adjusting self-checkout machines for accessibility. 

Central Library

Entrances

The Central Library has automatic doors which are accessible by wheel chairs. There are ramps available for accessing spaces where the lift is not available. There are paths lined on the carpet leading to the lift on Level 1. 

The ramp is on the right side and leads to the Ground Floor from the entrance at Central Library.

This ramp leads to the Ground Floor from the entrance at Central Library.

The entrance has wide automatic doors with a ramp on the right side and steps in the centre at Central Library.

The entrance has wide automatic doors with a ramp on the right side and steps in the centre.

The ramp on Level 2 at Central Library leads to the Kathleen Glenn Meeting Room and part of non-fiction collection.

There is a ramp on Level 2 at Central Library which leads to the non-fiction collection (700s onwards) and Kathleen Glenn Meeting Room.

 

Lift

All floors at Central Library can be reached by the passenger lift. Our lift has a control panel that is at a convenient height for people in wheelchairs. The lift has both raised numerals and their braille counterpart on all signage. If you need assistance entering and exiting the lift, please ask at the Services Desk on Level 1, 2 or 3. 

The lift is available at Central library, providing access to all levels. The lift has raised numerals and their braille counterpart on all signage.

The lift travels between Level 1 to 3 at Central Library.

 

Toilets

At Central Library, accessible toilets and parents rooms are available on Levels 1 and 2, next to the lift.

Toilets on Level 1 next to the lift.

 

Private Contemplation and Reflection Room

The Kirikiriroa Room located on Level 3 is a peaceful, inclusive space for quiet contemplation, reflection, or prayer. To access the Kirikiriroa Room, simply ask the library staff.

Entrance to the Kirikiriroa Room. The door says This space is for quiet contemplation and reflection. Please ask staff for access. There is a window into the room, with an open blind and partially obscured by privacy film.

Entrance to the Kirikiriroa Room.

Interior of the Kirikiriroa Room. The walls are a soft yellow colour, with peaceful images of nature hanging. There are two chairs and a small side tables at one end of the space, and a window out into the library with a blind that can be closed.

Interior of the Kirikiriroa Room.

Te Kete Aronui

Entrances

Both the north and south entrances of Te Kete Aronui have automatic doors which are accessible by wheel chairs. The library is on one level with no steps.

Mobility parking is located near the north entrance, off North City Road.

Two sets of double automatic doors, looking from inside out. Directly to the left is the entrance to the toilet facilities.

North entrance, with entrance to toilets directly next to it.

South entrance of Te Kete Aronui from the inside looking out. There are two sets of double-wide automatic doors leading to a paved pathway.

The south entrance of Te Kete Aronui.

 

Toilets

All bathroom facilities are located next to the north entrance.

Te Kete Aronui has a "standard" accessible bathroom with grab rails and a baby change table, as well as a Changing Places accessible facility.

The accessible toilet/family room door open, showing a wall mounted hand dryer, hand basin, handrail on the wall next to the toilet. In the mirror above the hand basin is the reflection of a baby changing table mounted on the opposite wall.

The accessible bathroom/parents' room at Te Kete Aronui.

The Changing Places facility includes:

  • a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing table

  • a height-adjustable hand basin

  • a ceiling track hoist system

  • wall-mounted hand rails

  • a privacy screen around the toilet

  • space for a wheelchair and up to two caregivers, with room on both sides of the toilet for assistance

  • a shower on a flexible hose over the changing bench/shower plinth

  • a non-slip floor and well-designed wet area

  • a large waste disposal bin for disposable pads

  • a sharps disposal container

This facility is accessible by registered Changing Places users only. To gain access, please apply on the Changing Places website.

Changing Places bathroom with height adjustable toilet with hand-rails on either side, shower, adult-sized changing table, and hoist.

The Changing Places bathroom at Te Kete Aronui.

Service Desk

The shared services desk at Te Kete Aronui has a lowered section so library and Council service staff can assist wheelchair users and others at a more comfortable height.

The service desk, which has a lowered ledge at the end with a service computer set up on it.

The lowered section of the shared services desk at Te Kete Aronui.

Chartwell Library

Entrance

The entrance at Chartwell Library is located near accessible parking spaces. The Chartwell Library is fully built on ground level. The entrance has a slight lip to get in, otherwise it is a fairly flat surface. 

The entrance to Chartwell Library is accessibility friendly with wide open doors.

Chartwell Library entrance.

Toilets

Accessible toilets are located on the right side as you enter the building. The grab rails are provided on the side wall closest to the toilets.

The toilets are accessible and can be reached on the right side side as you enter the library.

Accessible toilets at Chartwell Library.

Courtyard

The courtyard at Chartwell Library has a flat surface and access is through wide opening doors from inside the library. 

The courtyard at Chartwell Library is accessible through doors inside in the library and it has flat, clear pathways.

The courtyard area at Chartwell Library.

Dinsdale Library

Entrance

The entrance to Dinsdale Library has automatic sliding doors and opens wide for wheelchair access. There is a ramp from the accessible parking spaces near the front of the library.

The entrance to Dinsdale Library opens wide with automatic sliding doors.

Dinsdale Library entrance.

Toilets

The toilets are located by the entrance on the right side before you enter the second set of doors to the library. The toilets have grab rails, lower wash basin, mirrors and one toilet has a baby change table. 

All toilets are accessible at Dinsdale Library and one of them also has a changing table for babies.

Accessible toilets at Dinsdale Library.

Glenview Library

Entrance

The entrance at Glenview Library has automatic doors and has a flat surface. 

The doors at Glenview Library are automatic sliding doors.

Glenview Library entrance.

Toilets

The Toilets at Glenview Library have grab rails, lower wash basin and mirror with spacious room for a wheel chair. The doors for the toilets are hinged on a sprung arm and they self-close.

The toilets are located by the main entrance at Glenview Library before the second set of doors.

The toilets at Glenview Library are located by the entrance on the left side.

Hillcrest Library

Entrance

The Entrance at Hillcrest Library has automatic doors which slide open. The accessibility parking is right outside the door of the library.

The entrance to Hillcrest Library is available is right next to accessible parking spaces.

Hillcrest Library entrance.

Toilets

The toilets at Hillcrest Library have grab rails, lower wash basin and mirror with spacious room for a wheel chair. The doors for the toilets are hinged on a sprung arm and they self-close.

The Hillcrest Library has two accessible toilets near the entrance.

The Hillcrest Library has two accessible toilets.

Front Desk

The front desk at Hillcrest Library can be adjusted for wheelchair accessibility. The return shelves are also user-friendly and can be reached by anyone. 

The front desk on the right side as you enter Hillcrest Library is height adjustable. The photo also shows returns shelves which can be reached by anyone.

The front desk and returns' shelf at Hillcrest Library.

St Andrews Library

Entrance

The entrance for St Andrews Library is located on Corner of Braid Road and Taylor Terrace and the accessibility parking is in the driveway in the same place. The double doors open wide to allow access to wheel chairs. 

Accessible carparks are at the back of the St Andrews Library.

Accessible carpark is available at St Andrews Library.

The entrance to the St Andrews Library is accessibility friendly where doors can open wide. The second set of doors also slide open automatically.

The entrance at St Andrews Library.

Toilets

The Toilets at St Andrews Library have grab rails, lower wash basin and mirror with spacious room for a wheel chair. There's also a changing table available for parents. The doors for the toilets are hinged on a sprung arm and they self-close.

The toilets are located on the left side as you enter the library, before you go through the second set of doors.

The toilets at St Andrews Library.

Front desk

The front desk at St Andrews Library can be adjusted for wheelchair accessibility. The return shelves are also user-friendly and can be reached by anyone.

The first front desk as you enter the St Andrews Library is height adjustable. Beside it you also have the returns shelf which can be reached easily.

The front desk at St Andrews Library.

 

Other assistance

We strive to make every visitor feel comfortable by ensuring your visit is as easy as possible and free of barriers. Please let Library staff know if you need any assistance and how we can make our libraries more accessible. 

 

Emergency evacuation

In an emergency in any of the libraries, sirens ring continuously. Please make your way to the nearest fire exit. 

At Central Library, if you are at ground level in these circumstances make your way out of the building through main doors using the ramp or any of the fire exits. If you are above ground level, go to the stairwell landing on that level. On the landing, you will be safe from fire, and smoke from a fire, for a considerable period of time.

  • Do not use the lift!