UAB Libraries welcomes all patrons and is committed to providing every one accessibility to Library materials, programs, and services. Each library facility makes every effort to accommodate requests from persons with disabilities. If you are a UAB student, you may wish to register with Disability Support Services at 205.934.4205 or 205.934.4248 (TDD).
Facility Accessibility
Sterne Library
The Mervyn H. Sterne Library can be reached by a ramp located at the Thirteenth Street South entrance, or from the Fourteenth Street sidewalk to the North entrance facing Gorrie Hall. Both Library entrances have automatic doors. Inside the Library, all three floors may be reached by an elevator in the center of the building. Handicap-accessible restrooms are on all three floors to the right and the left of the central elevators.
Lister Hill Library
Visitors and students arriving via our main entrance on University Boulevard will find a ramp leading to the Ground Floor lobby with an elevator. Doors for the lobbies on every floor are operated by remote door openers. The elevator services floors G, 1, 2, 3, and 4. There are wheelchair accessible restrooms on each floor. Visitors or staff arriving via the staff entrance and parking garage on 7th Avenue may use the phone located in the garage to the left of the door to call for entry assistance. The staff elevator accesses floors B, G, 1, and 2.
Parking
Sterne Library
Handicap public and student parking spaces are available, although limited, near the Mervyn H. Sterne Library. Student parking requires a permit.
Lister Hill Library
One metered, handicapped parking space is located near Lister Hill Library on 7th Avenue behind the School of Optometry. More information on registering for a UAB handicap space is located on the Parking and Transportation website.
Computers and Printers
Most all the computers and workstations at both libraries are ADA-compliant. Wireless access for all users is available through the UABStartHere network. UAB students, faculty, and staff should use the UABSecure network. If you require assistance using the printers, ask at the HUB desk at either library.
Carrels
Sterne Library
Wheelchair-accessible carrels are available on the third floor for short- or long-term checkout. Daily usage of the carrels may be reserved for up to 8-hours at the HUB with a valid BlazerID. To apply for a long-term carrel, you will need to complete an application and have signed by your DSS case manager. Applications may be emailed or dropped off at the Sterne HUB desk, please reach out to the desk for questions.
Lister Hill Library
Lister Hill does not offer study carrels at this time but has five wheelchair-accessible individual study rooms available for up to three hours per day/user. Reservations can be made online the same day or up to two weeks in advance.
Staff Assistance
UAB Libraries staff is available to assist you in-person at one of the library facilities, through the chat with a Librarian system, by email, or by phone. For in-person assistance, please contact us in advance of your visit, if possible, to ensure that we can arrange for the most effective assistance. If you are unable to contact the library beforehand, we ask for your patience as we try to respond quickly and effectively to your requests. Be assured that library staff members are committed to making our resources available and accessible to you.
Available assistance includes:
- Retrieving materials
- Completing library forms
- Adjusting the font size for easier viewing on computer screens in most applications.
- Scanning library materials or documents
Hearing Impaired Services
Hearing impaired patrons can contact the library through the state relay number. Relay service is an operator that serves as a liaison between a hearing caller and a hearing-impaired caller. The Alabama Relay Center number is 1.800.548.2546.
Retrieving Materials
If you need assistance in retrieving materials, please contact:
- Sterne Library User Access staff: 205.934.6364
- Lister Hill Library User Access staff: 205.934.3306
If you need an assistant to retrieve materials on your behalf, please contact us and our staff will arrange to meet them.
UAB Libraries also has an Interlibrary Loan service that allows patrons to request materials from one library to be sent to another library. You must be UAB faculty, staff, or student to use the Interlibrary Loan service.
UAB Resources
Students may also contact UAB Disability Support Services at 205.934.4205 (voice) or 205.934.4248 (TDD).
UAB employees may contact UAB HR's AWARE Program at 205.975.9973.
Suggestions? The library staff welcomes suggestions of other services, facilities, or resources that would help you use our library. Visit the Help page for ways to submit comments or suggestions, and other ways to contact us.
Emergency Evacuation
In case of fire, staff will offer to assist disabled patrons. If it is impossible for a patron to leave or be assisted out of the building, that patron should move to the emergency stairwells in the north wing of the building. The emergency stairwells are fire safe for up to ninety minutes. The staff member assisting a disabled patron or patron(s) in an emergency will report that location directly to a member of the fire or police department as well as to their department and building supervisor.