ADA Services


The USF Tampa Library is committed to providing equitable access to library materials, programs, and services to all patrons. Staff working in public areas will make good faith efforts to accommodate reasonable requests from library users whose disabilities limit their use of the Library’s facilities and resources. If services are needed beyond those listed, or if you have questions or suggestions, please contact us at libraryservicesdesk@usf.edu or by phone at 813-974-2729. The Library continues to develop resources to meet current ADA standards to ensure equal access to information for patrons with disabilities. Arrangements for reasonable accommodations are coordinated with the campus Students with Disabilities Services (SDS) at 813-974-4309. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the ASASD to become eligible for the services provided through that office.

Physical Accessibility

Safe and accessible parking is provided near the library entrance with level walkways and gradually sloping ramps leading to the Library entrance. A mechanically operated entrance/exit door is available for access by those with physical disabilities. Within the building, handrails are provided on stairways, doors leading to stacks area, teaching labs, and rest rooms are push-button accessible, and lower sinks and drinking fountains are available for wheelchair users. Braille numbering and lettering are used to designate bathrooms, elevators, and rooms.

Retrieving Materials

The staff of Access Services (Circulation/Reserve/Media) will assist patrons with disabilities by retrieving materials as needed. Requests for assistance will be handled by staff as soon as possible. If staffing at the desk is limited or the staff cannot assist the patron at the time of a request, the patron and the staff will mutually agree upon a time when the patron may best be assisted. Please note that staff will be best able to provide assistance 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Contact them at 813-974-1611 for more information, or any other assistance with these matters.

ADA Assistive Technologies

The Library provides assistive technology devices and software, including training and support during office hours. These technologies include:
  • ZoomText 9.0 which magnifies/enlarges and reads on-screen text for people with low or no vision is available on the ADA computers in the Learning Commons (located on the 1st floor of the library).
  • A Braille printer & Duxbury Braille printing software are installed on the Learning Commons ADA computer.
  • A Visualtek machine, which magnifies print, whether from a single page or another print source such as a book or magazine, is available on the 1st floor in the Learning Commons.
In addition, the Tampa Library provides access to:
  • Wireless networking nodes throughout the Library.
  • (3) KIC Scanners are available in the library for student use. They are located in the following locations:
    • 1st Floor East side
    • Basement
    • 4th Floor Special Collections
  • Almost 500 online databases which access nearly 20,000 journal titles.
  • NetLibrary access to 46,000+ electronic books (some downloadable and some audio).*
  • Online reference materials such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, manuals, etc.*
  • Laptops are available for five-hour checkout periods at the Library Services Desk on the 1st floor. More info »
  • Access to Microsoft applications + many others (Learning Commons and laptop computers only).
  • PC workstations/carrels designated for wheelchair access in each service area. Wheelchair accessible service desks.
(*Note: Off-campus access to electronic resources is restricted to USF students, faculty, and staff.)

Library Website

The Library attempts to make our website ADA compliant. If disabled patrons experience difficulties using any section of it, they should contact the Library ADA Coordinator.

Braille Resources/Audio Books

The Library has a small collection of Braille resources in Government Documents which is located in the basement. These items may be found in the online catalog using the advanced search format criteria. Audio Books are located in Media Resources on the 1st floor and are available for check-out. In addition, many audio book titles may be downloaded from NetLibrary.

Reference Services

Reference librarians can assist with any questions you have about using the library or conducting library research. Assistance is available face to face at the Library Services Desk or individual consultation by appointment with a librarian »

Telephone

813.974.2729 / 866.550.8036 (toll free) / 813.974.9874 (TDD/TTY)

Email and Chat

Please feel free to contact us through email, or chat for additional forms of reference assistance. To avoid delays in service that occur during peak service periods or to receive individual assistance with extensive research projects, patrons with disabilities are encouraged to make appointments with a reference librarian by calling the Library Services Desk at 813-974-2729, or by completing the Research Consultation Request Form »

ADA Links

ADA Resources at USF
ADA Resources Elsewhere

What is HathiTrust?

HathiTrust is a digital library created with the collections and collaboration of partner libraries whose goal was to generate and organize a comprehensive archive of digital content converted from library print materials.  Public domain materials in the HathiTrust are fully accessible online and may be downloaded, saved, and shared.  Materials still protected by copyright or subject to privacy concerns are full text searchable through the HathiTrust catalog:
  • HathiTrust – Provides access to digitized texts in a variety of repositories, including Google Books and the Internet Archive.
  • HathiTrust user guide – Guide to using the HathiTrust collection and catalog.
HathiTrust items can also be accessed via the Florida Universities and Colleges Union catalog.  If your search in the Union catalog finds electronically available books in the HathiTrust collection they will be displayed under a label that says ‘HathiTrust Digital Library’ or as a ‘Read this E-book’ link accompanied by the HathiTrust logo (example below).  Clicking on these links will take you to the online material.

    

HathiTrust Print Disabilities Access

The University of South Florida is a member of the HathiTrust via an agreement of the Florida State University System libraries group. This membership includes access to ADA compliant electronic files of print books held by both the HathiTrust and any of the State Univeristy System libraries. Students registered with USF’s Students with Disabilities Services department as having a print disability may request ADA compliant PDF files of any material in the State University System libraries that is also in the HathiTrust collection by filling out the request form below. If you have questions on this process, please contact USF’s designated proxy for HathiTrust ADA services: LeEtta Schmidt, Resource Sharing and Copyright Librarian at lmschmidt@usf.edu

Request HathiTrust ADA files

Fill out my online form.