Accessibility at Western Libraries

Our Commitment to Accessibility

Western Libraries is committed to a positive and accessible learning experience for all. Making accessible digital content means equal access to education, the services we provide, and above all, the Western experience.

Report an Accessibility Issue

If you encounter an accessibility issue or barrier, please email:

Andy Peterson, Web Developer and Curt Pavia, Learning Technologist

Library Facilities

Entrances

Haggard: 

  • Button activated entrances are located at all entrances (High Street, Red Square, below skybridge sides of Haggard). 

Wilson:

  • For wheelchair users, please enter through Haggard (below skybridge) and take elevator to the right (to the 2nd floor) and go across skybridge into Wilson.  

Elevators 

Haggard

  • Entrance below skybridge – elevator is on the right as you enter Haggard for access to 2nd floor. 

  • High Street entrance (elevator on the right) after entering provides access to west side of Haggard (to 2nd and 3rd floor classrooms, labs and study area – but not library). 

Wilson

  • Elevator across from Zoe’s on 2nd floor (access to 1-5 floors) 

  • Elevator on 2nd floor (near Skybridge/The Corner) allows access to 2-6 floors. 

  • Elevator on 2nd floor (near Maps) allows access to 1-5 floors. 

Evacuation (emergency): 

  • Area of Rescue – Wilson south stairwells floors 2-6. Stairwell is equipped with an emergency call button to contact University Police. In the event of a building evacuation certain library staff are designated as floor wardens and can assist in directing individuals into Areas of Refuge and relaying location information to emergency responders. 

  • Secure stairwells – in Haggard are safe waiting areas for rescue. Stairwell is located on east side of 2nd and 3rd floor through emergency exit alarmed door that will notify the Circulation desk. Floor wardens on each floor can assist in escorting individuals to the secure stairwell and to call for help. 

Restrooms 

  • Gender neutral restrooms (Wilson Library 1st and 6th floor and Haggard 2nd floor). 

  • Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on all floors of Haggard and Wilson.  

Service Animals 

  • Only service animals are allowed in Western Libraries. 

Quiet Floors 

  • The 4th and 5th floors of Wilson are quiet floors for studying.

The Goltz-Murray Archive Building (AB) is located at 808 25th St. in Bellingham.

Accessible entrance:

  • A button activated entrance is located on the east side of the building 

Notes:

  • An accessible restroom is located on first floor
  • An elevator provides access to both floors
  • Accessible parking to east
  • Gender neutral restrooms available in AB204 and AB208

Additional building information is available, such as floor plans and maps.

Accessible entrance:

A button activated entrance is located through the Performing Arts Center (from the Plaza). Use far left-hand lobby door. Elevator is located to the right to the Music Library (Floor 2).

Notes:

  • Accessible restrooms are located on Lower Level 2 (LL 2) using elevator from Music Library.
  • Gender Neutral Restroom is available in the Performing Arts Center (PA 390). Accessible entrance is located at the southeast corner of the building (from High Street).  Take elevator up one level to Floor 3.

Parking Information:

Accessible parking to the east (Lot 11G) see WWU Map for further information.

Use Western Libraries Find a Space (online tool with maps, photos and information) to find library study spaces and services

Traveling to the Library: 

  • Bus stop – Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) has a bus stop on High Street in front of Haggard Hall. 

  • Campus map – This map shows accessible routes on campus 

Parking 

Library Services & Technology

Borrowing materials

Upon request, library staff at the circulation desk on the second floor of Haggard will assist with the retrieval of books and media.

Returning materials

  • Drive up book drop in parking lot 11G, available 24-hours.
  • Walk-up drop box under the skybridge on Wilson, available 24-hours.
  • Circulation desk (Haggard 2)
  • Course reserves need to be returned to the reserves return slot at the circulation desk.

Please visit the circulation desk on Haggard 2 for information on wheelchair accessible desks and computer stations. 

The majority of the library's online databases and journals provide a help or accessibility section, which often contain search tips, screen reader compatibility, and more. Each database or journal help or accessibility section will look different and contain varying levels of content. If you have any issues or questions, please contact the library.

  • Phone: (360) 650-3084 
  • Text: (360) 797-5910 
  • Chat with Us

Third Party Information Vendors

On our webpages, we provide links and access to third-party sites, such as vendor databases and other educational content. While the Libraries strives to conform to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at level AA, third-party sites may not conform fully to accessibility standards. If you encounter an accessibility issue on the Libraries’ site or any site we link to, please contact us. We will notify our third-party vendors of the issues encountered; if they are unable or unwilling to cooperate toward remediation, we will incorporate that information into our vendor evaluation process and pursue other accommodations independently. Alternatively, we may be able to provide an accessible version of the content if alerted to the need.