Accessibility at UGA Libraries

The University of Georgia Libraries seek to provide an inclusive and accessible experience to all library users. We offer a variety of services to ensure access to library collections and services for individuals with disabilities.

Your suggestions for improving library services are welcome. If you experience accessibility problems with the library website, please notify us by using our website feedback form.

For additional help, UGA students may contact Accessibility and Testing at uga.access@uga.edu or 706-542-8719 for services including assistive technology and alternative media. UGA faculty and staff in need of additional assistance may contact the Human Resources Department by email hrweb@uga.edu or phone 706-542-2222.

What do you need?

I need a book or an article retrieved for me.

Patrons with disabilities who would like help retrieving materials can submit requests in four different ways:

• In person: Bring a list of items to be pulled to the Service Desk at any library
• Online: Navigate to the GIL-Find library catalog and once you've found the item you need, click the “Sign-in for More Options” link. After signing in, click the “Request” link. Next, choose your preferred pick-up location. Then click the REQUEST button. Library staff will retrieve your book, notify you when it is available, and hold it for you at the circulation desk of the library that you selected as your pick-up location.
• By telephone: call the User Services Department at the Main Library (706-542-3256) or the McBay Science Library (706-542-4535)
• By e-mail: contact the Main Library at maincirc@uga.edu or McBay Science Library at science@uga.edu

Please provide call numbers for all items with your retrieval request. For help with identifying call numbers, ask at any service point, call 706-542-3251, or use our Ask A Question service.

If time and staffing allow, library staff may be able to retrieve a few items immediately. Generally, available items will be retrieved within two hours. However, additional time will be necessary to retrieve an extensive list of titles. More time may be required for retrieval during evenings and weekends because fewer staff are available. 

After the items have been retrieved, they will be held for 10 days for pickup by the user or their emissary at the relevant circulation desk. You will be notified by email when requested items are available at the pick-up location.

I need a document in an accessible format.

Many of the Libraries materials already exist in accessible electronic versions. You can check to see if there is an existing electronic copy of the material you need by searching the following resources:

• GIL-Find Libraries Catalog
• UGA Libraries Multi-Search
• E-Journals Search
• E-Books Collections

Our e-book platforms from EBSCO, ProQuest, and Springer support the use of screen readers that read text aloud to users. Examples of compatible screen readers include JAWS, NVDA, and Voiceover. You can use screen readers if you are reading e-books in your browser online or if you download them to your computer.  Our resource guide on digital accessibility provides additional details on our ebook platforms.  

As a HathiTrust partner institution the University of Georgia Libraries, can receive special access to in-copyright materials for eligible patrons with print disabilities through the HathiTrust Digital Library.  If you would like to inquire about access to digital copies of library books through HathiTrust, contact Eric Griffin at ecg@uga.edu.

Special formats including audio, large-print, or Braille versions of books may be available through Interlibrary Loan.  If you need an article or book chapter of something that UGA Libraries does not own, you can place an ILL request and check the box on the form indicating that you need an accessible version.  

Additionally, the Libraries has purchased SensusAccess a self-service platform that remediates PDFs and creates alternative formats. Visit our webpage to login with SSO to use SensusAccess.

I need to use assistive technology to do my work.

The UGA Libraries make available assistive software to facilitate library research and alternative format access to library materials for library patrons with disabilities. Types of assistive software available at the libraries include screen reading software, magnification software, speech recognition software, and more.

Libraries staff can provide limited basic assistance with the technology. In-depth help and training on using assistive technology can be arranged through Accessibility and Testing at uga.access@uga.edu or 706-542-8719.

Headphones are required for using screen reading software. Headphones can be checked out, but we recommend bringing your own if possible.

Please see our Assistive Technologies page for more details and locations.

I need research help.

Library staff are available to answer your questions and assist in finding resources and information. We can help patrons with disabilities by providing various types of research help including:

• Ready reference assistance for quick answers to short questions
• In-depth assistance with detailed research questions or projects
• Assistance in using print materials, online databases, and other electronic resources
• Help with citing sources and bibliographic verification

Please see our page on Materials, Services & Research Help for more detailed information.