Description of the facility

Description of the Facility

The library is partially accessible. The facility is located in a pedestrian zone in the city center of Celje. There are no parking spaces for the physically disabled or public transport stops nearby. The entrance to the library is hard to spot and poorly marked, complicated by the current passage through two sets of double doors (wing doors). The ground floor of the library is partially in a mezzanine, so parts of the library on the ground floor, basement, and upper floors are accessible via one of two elevators. Access to the children’s section in the basement is arranged by a long ramp, which is too steep and lacks side handrails for wheelchair users. There is enough maneuvering space between the bookshelves. The stairs lack contrast markings and handrails. The library includes two halls (Levstik Hall in the basement and the projection room/reading room on the 3rd floor), which can be accessed by the physically disabled using a small elevator that does not meet the prescribed dimensions. Levstik Hall is equipped with a hearing loop and movable chairs. Adapted restrooms are located on the first floor.

Adaptations

Physically Disabled:

  • the main entrance to the facility is accessible,
  • the reception desk is height-adjusted,
  • there is enough maneuvering space inside,
  • the facility has an elevator of appropriate dimensions,
  • the facility has adapted restrooms on the first floor,
  • the arrangement of the bookshelves allows access with a wheelchair.

Blind and Visually Impaired:

  • the reception desk is located near the entrance,
  • the library has adapted materials (audiobooks).

Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

  • the reception desk is well-lit and allows for lip-reading and facial expressions,
  • Levstik Hall is equipped with a hearing loop,
  • the rooms are appropriately soundproofed.

Shortcomings

Physically Disabled:

  • the path through the facility is complicated due to the mezzanine,
  • the long ramp to the children’s section does not have an appropriate slope and is not properly equipped,
  • the main entrance is not wide enough (wing doors through two sets of double doors),
  • one of the elevators for accessing the halls does not have appropriate dimensions.

Blind and Visually Impaired:

  • the main entrance to the facility is not clearly recognizable,
  • there is no signboard at the main entrance,
  • there are sudden transitions from light to dark spaces in the facility,
  • the buttons in one of the elevators are not tactile,
  • the edges of the stairs and ramp are not contrast-marked.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

  • the reception desk is not equipped with a hearing loop,
  • the glazing of the reception desk is reflective and glaring.