Library Services for Persons with Disabilities

All students, faculty, and staff are eligible to request accessibility assistance and services from the University Libraries.

Visitors who are not University at Albany students, faculty, or staff may also request assistance. Our goal is to facilitate access to library resources and services for all users, regardless of University affiliation.

Some services may require advance notice depending on the nature of the request and staff availability. Visitors who anticipate needing assistance are encouraged to contact the Circulation Desk before their visit so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Library staff are available to assist users with accessibility-related questions and requests. Assistance may include:

• Providing information about accessible library facilities, resources, and services.
• Assisting with access to library materials and collections.
• Arranging or providing individual and small-group orientations.
• Assisting with the use of available assistive equipment and software in the Libraries.
• Coordinating accessibility-related requests with individual library departments.
• Connecting users with Disability Access and Inclusion Student Services (DAISS) or other University offices when appropriate.
• Assisting users who encounter accessibility barriers when using library spaces, resources, or services.
• Identifying library services or options that may help address individual accessibility needs.

For information about these services or to request assistance, please visit or contact the Circulation Desk

Individual and small-group orientations are available upon request. Orientations may include guided tours of library facilities and an overview of available resources and services.

The Libraries offer a variety of instruction programs, workshops, courses, and other events. If you require accommodations to participate in a library program, workshop, orientation, or event, please contact the Circulation Desk in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be coordinated.

For questions about accessibility, available services, or assistance using the University Libraries, please visit or contact the Circulation Desk. Staff will assist with your request or connect you with the appropriate library department or University office.

The University Library and its entrance doors, rest rooms, and other public spaces have been modified to improve accessibility. There is elevator access to all public areas. The entrance is on the podium level. Access to the academic podium is from Washington Ave. entrance to the University.

The Science Library, constructed after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, is our most accessible library. The entrance is on the podium level, east side of the Library.

The Dewey Library, constructed in the early 1900s, has modified its entrances to facilitate access. The entrance is from the first floor of adjacent Draper Hall. Automatic doors and a wheelchair elevator increase accessibility. All services are available on the first floor of the Dewey Library; retrieval services are available to provide access to collections stored on the lower level. Dewey’s electronic classroom is accessible through the lower level of adjacent Draper Hall.

The Libraries offer a variety of services to assist you in the successful completion of your research and coursework. Online tutorials are available.

Online reference chat services and databases are available 24/7 and print reference materials are available in all three libraries. Once you’ve begun your research, if you are having trouble finding resources on your topic, you can ask at the Reference Desk or make an appointment with a librarian for in-depth assistance.

We offer Research Consultations where librarians will also help you develop a search strategy or provide individualized instruction, depending on your needs. Book your appointment online or contact the University Library Reference Desk at 518-442-3558.

Access to many library services and information resources are available through our website.

You can access electronic journals, full-text databases and a vast array of other resources selected by library staff for the University community.

Through the web site you can:

• Access the University Libraries’ online search tool.
• Search our collections.
• Request books, media, book chapters, and journal articles: library staff will page physical books and media for pickup at your preferred library, office delivery is available for faculty and staff, home delivery is available for distance learners; book chapters and journal articles are scanned and delivered electronically as accessible OCR-enabled PDFs.
• Check due dates for items you have checked-out and renew eligible items.
• Search the catalogs of other libraries in the area or around the world.

If you cannot retrieve books or other materials from library stacks, we can assist you with our paging service. You can submit paging request for items in our collection through our Interlibrary Loan request page.

You may designate another person such as an aide, family member or friend to conduct library business on your behalf. This is called a “Proxy Borrower”.  Your proxy borrower may then complete forms, pick-up and return materials and conduct other business without you being present. You may designate more than one person as a proxy borrower. Note: You are responsible for any fines and lost book bills incurred by your proxy(s). Authorization forms are available at the Service Desk and online at Libraries Proxy Borrower Form.

In the University Libraries a number of library study carrels and computer tables are designed for wheelchair accessibility. Look for the universal access symbol or ask for assistance at library service desks.

Group study rooms are available to users with disabilities. Learn more about Group Study Rooms:

A number of titles are available in large print. 

Many catalogs of Braille books, digital formats & sound recordings, especially those published by the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped are located in the ULIB GovDoc J 85 LC 19 call number range.