Accessibility and User Facilities

Parking

There are 4 designated disabled parking spaces located in the carpark shared with the National Library of Wales at the side of the building adjacent to the road crossing.

Entrance

The Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales is located within the National Library of Wales buildings.

The National Library’s main entrance (located at the front of the building) is fully accessible with a ramp and automatic doors.

The Royal Commission Library and Search Room is located on the first floor (Level 0). From the main entrance, take the first right and head up the staircase. At the uniformed security staff point turn right, follow the corridor and you will find our Library and Search Room on your right just before the North Reading Room.

If you prefer to use the lift, please see below.

Lifts

There is a lift located to your right (next to The National Library shop) once you have entered the building. The Royal Commission Library and Search Room is on Level 0.

After exiting the lift, take the first right following the red carpet, then turn left at the uniformed security staff point. Follow the corridor and you will find our Library and Search Room on your right just before the North Reading Room.

Animals

Assistance dogs are welcome to accompany their owners into both the Royal Commission Library and Search Room and the National Library. Water is provided for dogs at the ground floor entrance of the National Library.

Wheelchairs

3 wheelchairs are available for visitors’ use; they are located at the ground floor entrance of the building.

Contacting the Royal Commission Library and Enquiry Service prior to your visit is recommended, although staff are available during our opening hours if you require assistance.

Please contact us on 01970 621 200 or 01970 621 209.

Toilets

There are 3 access-friendly toilets situated around the National Library:

  • Ground floor: straight ahead from the shop and turn right at the end of the corridor;
  • Ground floor: behind the staircase leading up from the main foyer;
  • First floor (Level 0): from the main entrance, take the first right and head up the staircase. At the top, continue straight ahead and turn left.

The toilet on the first floor (Level 0) is closest to our Library and Search Room.

Equipment

There is equipment in the Library and Search Room to aid the use of its resources:

  • Tables which can be raised or lowered as required;
  • Magnifiers;
  • Screen reader software;
  • Induction loop.

British Sign Language

Members of the Library and Enquiries Team have been busy over the past few years learning British Sign Language (BSL) to assist our Deaf users better.

Here’s Dr Ywain Tomos: “This was a real challenge for all of us, learning a new language and taking the exams over Zoom! I really enjoyed the experience and the teacher was fantastic. Completing the course has raised my personal awareness of the barriers facing people with hearing difficulties and made me think about how we can improve our services to be more welcoming.”

Refreshments

Pen Dinas restaurant is situated on the ground floor level to the right of the entrance. Its opening times are 9:30 – 4:30; the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Security and Safety

Please deposit all coats and bags in one of the lockers provided.

Reporting an emergency

Any accident or illness should be reported either to staff in the Royal Commission Library and Search Room or to a member of the National Library’s uniformed security staff.

Emergency Procedures

The fire alarm is a continuous electronic sounder. Readers and Visitors should evacuate the building by the nearest available exit or as directed by members of staff and follow the green EXIT signs to make their way out on to the lower terrace at the front of the library, via the exit doors on the lower ground floor. Never use the lift in the event of a fire alarm.

In the event of an emergency/evacuation, if it is safe to do so, disabled visitors should leave the Library through the same door as they entered, the entrance on the ground floor.

If disabled visitors are on the first floor (Level 0), in no event should the lifts be entered; visitors should remain on the first floor and make themselves known to a member of staff. Evacuation (evac) chairs are available.
If a wheelchair user is located on the first floor (Level 0), they should make themselves known to a member of staff who will escort them to one of the designated refuge points:

  • In the stairwell at the back of the National Library’s South Reading Room.
  • In the link to book stack 1 from the National Library’s North Reading Room.

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