We have sites in London and Yorkshire. Find out about accessibility in both locations:

Accessibility at St Pancras, London

Accessibility at Boston Spa, Yorkshire

Please contact the Library ahead of your visit with any questions regarding specific requirements or adjustments that we can make.

Telephone: 01937 546 060
Textphone: 01937 546 434
Email: accessibility@bl.uk

Find out website accessibility in our statement.

Accessibility at St Pancras, London

Maps

An accessibility map for our St Pancras site is available.

Blue Badge parking

Parking bays for Blue Badge holders can be found on Ossulston Street.

Our Ossulston Street entrance is fully ramped and is approximately 100 metres from the main entrance. There are also public metered bays in this area.

Step-free access and seating

All floors have step-free access, including into all our Reading Rooms, events spaces, exhibitions and Learning Centre.

All Reading Room doors as well as entrances to the Knowledge Centre have button-assisted opening.

Seating is available for visitors around the building. Folding gallery stools are available in the galleries.

Accessible toilets

Accessible toilets can be found on all floors.

The nearest Changing Places toilet is at Kings Cross station.

Wheelchairs

Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability. Please book in advance by contacting us on 01937 546 060 or ask a member of staff on arrival.

Please note that assistance cannot be provided in the use of these wheelchairs.

Guide and assistance dogs

We welcome guide dogs and assistance dogs. Dog bowls are available at the Information Desk, Reading Rooms, and all cafés.

Hearing support systems

Hearing induction loops are installed at the following locations:

• All Reading Room enquiry desks
• Knowledge Centre: Theatre and Elliot Room
• Information Desk

All other Knowledge Centre meeting rooms have Infra Red Hearing Support Systems.

The Knowledge Centre Theatre also operates the Sennheiser MobileConnect system. This is a digital hearing system that gives users individual control over their feed by broadcasting to an app. The app is available on both Android and IOS devices, downloadable from their respective app stores.

To use the system, download the app to your device. If you don’t have a smart phone, you can borrow one of three pre-loaded devices on arrival at the Knowledge Centre. Please speak to a member of staff for assistance.

Queues

If queuing is not accessible for you, please speak to a member of staff.

Events and tours

We run a regular programme of accessible events and tours including speech-to-text transcription for events, audio-description tours, relaxed early openings for families and British Sign Language (BSL) tours. For more information visit What's On.

Large-print

We produce large print versions of our exhibition labels. Please enquire at the Information Desk or at the exhibition entrance.

Concession tickets

Concessions are available for disabled visitors for ticketed exhibitions and events. Free tickets are available for personal assistants and these tickets can be booked by email (boxoffice@bl.uk), in person or by phone.

Reading Rooms

Our Reading Rooms in St Pancras, London are located on Floors 1, 2 and 3.

To use our Reading Rooms, you must first get a Reader Pass at Reader Registration on the Upper Ground Floor at St Pancras or Reception in Boston Spa. If you are visiting with an assistant or carer, both of you will need a Reader Pass.

Our Reading Rooms contain height-adjustable tables and lowered service desks, alternative keyboards, and specialist equipment and facilities for Readers with visual and hearing impairments. 

We also have text-to-speech software Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA). This can be accessed via the NVDA icon on the toolbar at the top of the screen on the Reading Room computers.

Carrels (private booths) are available in all Reading Rooms (except the Business & IP Centre) for Readers who need to use accessibility equipment (such as a speech-to-text machine) or require assistance when viewing material. Some collection items require invigilation and may not be suitable for consultation in a carrel. Please contact accessibility@bl.uk for more information. The carrels can accommodate up to two people and should be booked in advance. For information on how to book please speak to a member of staff in the Reading Room you wish to use.

To use any of the specialist equipment mentioned, or any assistance within the Reading Rooms, please speak to Reading Room staff or contact accessibility@bl.uk in advance of your visit.

Accessibility at Boston Spa, Yorkshire

The Boston Spa site in Yorkshire is located at the entrance to the Thorp Arch Trading Estate. As you approach the site you will be stopped at our gatehouse by a security barrier if you are travelling by car, or will need to talk to our security team in the security office at the site entrance.

Blue Badge parking

There are numerous blue badge parking spaces available for the Reading Rooms. As you enter the Boston Spa site our Security Team will advise you on the best location for you to use.

Step-free access and seating

Access to the Reading Room in Boston Spa and Reader Registration is all on one level.

The Reading Room door has button-assisted opening.

The Reading Room has a height-adjustable desk for use by Readers.

Accessible toilets

There is an accessible toilet next to the Reading Room.

Wheelchairs

Access to the Reading Room is all on one level. The Reading Room has button-assisted opening and has a height-adjustable desk for Readers to use.

Guide and assistance dogs

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome in the building. Dog bowls are available.

Induction loops

Hearing induction loops are installed at Reception, Reader Registration, the Reading Room and Conference Centre.

Reading rooms

Find out about accessibility at our Boston Spa Reading Room.

To use our Reading Rooms, you must first get a Reader Pass at Reception in Boston Spa. If you are visiting with an assistant or carer, both of you will need a Reader Pass.

If you require a private facility for medical reasons during your visit, please contact us on the details above.

Please note that the Reading Room in Boston Spa does not have air conditioning.