Description of the facility

The Idrija Municipal Library and Reading Room has been in use since 1953 and is located in the central part of the town, in the former Mining Magazine building on St. Ahacius Square. The library occupies the entire first floor of the magazine and also uses a ground-floor room in the same building, which is intended for events, storytelling hours, organized visits, and book exhibitions. The two spaces are not connected, but there are plans to install an elevator in the future, which would connect them with the gallery on the second floor. The gallery is used for art exhibitions and various events organized by the library and the local community.

The library is not accessible to people with mobility impairments. To ensure accessibility, an elevator would need to be installed, or the library relocated to the ground floor and properly adapted. The accessibility issue arises mainly because the building in which the library operates is protected as a cultural monument.

Adaptations

  • A parking space is provided right next to the entrance. It is marked with ground and vertical signage.
  • The access path from the parking area is safe and unobstructed.
  • The access path from the street is paved and non-slip.
  • The reception desk is appropriate and clearly marked. Lighting and acoustics are suitable. Communication with deaf and hard-of-hearing persons is possible.
  • The ground-floor rooms, which are used for other activities (workshops, etc.), are accessible to people with mobility impairments.
  • The exhibition space is suitable for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.
  • For various events, it would be possible to install a portable induction loop and provide a sign language interpreter.

Deficiencies

  • The parking space dimensions are inadequate.
  • There is no library sign near the parking area on the square.
  • The access path is not clearly marked and lacks proper orientation signs.
  • The access path is poorly lit.
  • There are hazardous, unmarked obstacles along the access path.
  • The main entrance to the library is not accessible for persons with disabilities.
  • No side entrance is provided.
  • The entrance is poorly marked and dimly lit.
  • Access to the library, located on the upper floor, is only via winding stairs that are poorly lit and pose a safety risk to all visitors.
  • Passage between the shelves is difficult (there are dangerous, unprotected, and unmarked passages under wall arches), and low windows pose a falling hazard.
  • The restrooms in the library and the ground-floor rooms are not properly adapted.
  • The signage system is inadequate.
  • The ground-floor room used for other activities has poor acoustics.
  • The lighting is inadequate.
  • The exhibition spaces on the second floor are not accessible for people with mobility impairments.
  • The staircase leading to the exhibition rooms is extremely steep and narrow, posing a safety risk for all users. The handrail ends in the wall and is unsafe.
  • The ceiling is low at one of the stairway passages, creating a risk of head injury (warning signage is needed).
  • Signs are poorly visible.