Bath and North East Somerset Libraries

• The Mobile Library has pictures on of green hills, a hot air balloon and books.

• When you arrive, the door is at the rear of the vehicle.

• Push the silver button and the door will automatically come outwards and then slide to the left to stop against the vehicle.

• The doorway is 100cm wide. Weather permitting the door may already be open.

• Most of the area on the mobile is 150cm wide.  

• There are three steps to enter the Mobile Library. The first step is 34cm high but can be lowered on request to 30cm. These measurements may change at different locations. The other two steps are 23cm high.

• There are two yellow grab rails.

• There is black coarse carpet on the steps and then blue carpet tiles throughout the walkway of the mobile.

• Please be aware that if the ground is unlevel then the vehicle may be tilted. It can rock as someone gets on board.

• There is a ramp that can be lowered for assistance. There must be a 3m clearance from the vehicle. This includes a carer and a wheelchair. If the ground is not level, unfortunately the ramp cannot be used.

• Once the ramp starts to be activated, there will be a siren that sounds. If you have an electric wheelchair, this will need to be made manual by disengaging the gear box. You may need someone to push the wheelchair onto the ramp. The width of the ramp is 76cm.

• There is a whirring noise when the ramp is moving but it is a very smooth motion. The ramp goes up 92cm from the ground. Inside the mobile, the narrowest width is between the orange seat and desk which is 73cm.

• If a wheelchair is more than a 1m long, you will have trouble turning around inside the mobile library.

• The ramp can be used without a wheelchair. There are two red handrails on either side to hold onto whilst the ramp is in motion. The area outside the vehicle will vary at each location.

• Staff wear black and white uniform and a blue lanyard.

• The member of staff will be by the staff desk which is 94cm high and 93cm wide.

• If the Mobile is at a location where the ramp cannot be used, staff will always be happy to help.

• We can help you with looking for books/audio books that may be of an interest to you. We can bring these outside the vehicle for you. If looking for a particular book, we can order this to come in for your next visit.

• There are no toilet facilities, but you may find these local to the mobile stops.

• The mobile library provides adult, young adult and childrens books and audiobooks.

• Inside the mobile there is shelving along the sides and in most places, it is 6 shelves high.

• There are 5 shelves of large print books, these are on the left beyond the desk.

• Above the large print books, there are 2 shelves of audio books.

• There is adult fiction straight ahead of the doorway, this includes crime fiction.

• To the left, beyond the large print, there are adult non-fiction books.

• At the end of the walkway, there are children’s fiction books on the right, including dyslexia friendly books and audio books. Children’s non-fiction on the left. There are picture and board books in two green boxes at floor level.

• On the top two shelves at the end on the right, there are books for young adults.

• Reservations are located at the top of the stairs to the right. These are books that have been ordered from other libraries.

• There is an orange seat to the left of the stairs and in front of the desk.

• There is a large print version of this guide in the Library. Ask staff for a copy. You can also download it here: Mobile Library Access Guide

• There is an accessibility guide, like a social story with simple information and pictures. Ask staff for a copy or download here:
  Accessible Guide to the Mobile Library

A sensory experience refers to the perception or reception of information through the five senses — sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell as described in sections below.

Crowds

• It can depend on each stop whether we are busy or not.

• The Mulberry Park stop is a busy stop.

• If the vehicle is parked outside a school, there may be school children on the mobile.

Lighting

• The mobile is lit with white strip lights. We can’t alter them but if requested we can turn these off.

Noise and Sound

• There may be sounds from traffic and the public outside or from the ramp when it is being operated.

• It may be noisy if there are school children on the mobile.

• Staff can provide child and adult ear defenders on request.

Temperature

• The mobile can feel cold during the winter months if the door is open, it is equipped with a small heater.

• The mobile can feel hot in warmer weather.  

Smells

• Generally, there are no distinctive smells on board, unless from a location.

Sensory Explorer Bags

• We provide borrowable Sensory Explorer Bags for children, young people and anyone else who would benefit.

• The bags can be borrowed from the main desk and are for use in the library.

• Explore the library using the fidget aids and ear defenders to improve the visit.