Accessibility Services

The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries provide a number of services to ensure access to library collections and services for individuals with disabilities. If what you need is not available, or if you are a disabled UF faculty member or student seeking to use materials produced by the Smathers Libraries for a course or for other academic research purposes, or if you are a disabled member of the public seeking to use materials located within the Smathers Libraries web sites, please fill out the form below, visit our Contact Us page, or ask at any circulation desk.

The UF Disability Resource Center (DRC), in the Dean of Students Office, engage with faculty and staff to promote an inclusive campus community for all, remove access barriers, which may vary from course to course and is a resource for students with physical, learning, sensory, or psychological disabilities, creating opportunities for students and the campus community to learn about disability services, trends, advocacy, and accommodations.

UF students can register with the UF Disability Resource Center (DRC) for access to accommodations.

If you are a guest, please visit our Visitors page.

Technology

Software

Kurzweil 3000 is installed on all library computers. It is an educational and assistive technology providing reading, writing and study support. Features include:

  • Reading – converting text-to-speech
  • Writing – planning and organizing writing and hearing your writing read back to you
  • Study tools – organizing content, listening to content, highlighting, embedding notes, vocabulary tools

Additionally, the UF Disability Resource Center (DRC) offers free access to several assistive technology programs for students registered with the DRC.
The DRC offers:

  • Kurzweil 3000-firefly literacy software.
  • JAWS for students who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software (for use at the DRC only).
  • Equipment Loan: Items include educational technology such as Computers, Laptops, LiveScribe Echo Smart Pens, and Assistive Devices for blind/visually impaired and Deaf/hard of hearing students. Student can request equipment via their Equipment Loan Request Form.

Visit the DRC’s Assistive Technology page for more information.

SensusAccess

SensusAccess is a document conversion system that converts documents into accessible formats, and is available to UF students, staff, and faculty. To access the service, please visit https://accessibility.ufl.edu/sensusaccess/

Font Size

To increase the font size on your internet window, hold down the “Ctrl” keyboard button and use the mouse scroll up or down to increase or decrease font size. Or, follow browser-specific instructions for Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge or Firefox.

Browser plugins

Library computers allow you to install accessibility plugins for available browsers, including Google Chrome and Firefox. Please note though that these installs are only available for that user session, so you would have to install the plugins each time you login.

KIC Bookeye Scanners

KIC Bookeye Scanners are digitize-on-demand system for books, magazines, and journals and are located in each library branch. The KIC Bookeye Scanner can capture 20 book pages per minute for instant access on tablets, notebooks, smart devices and easy transfer to desktop PCs and servers.

The KIC Bookeye Scanners support both v-cradle and flat modes and can scan material as large as 24 x 17 inches. Images can be saved to KIC’s flash drive port or sent directly to any email address. The KIC system is built for continuous use in public areas and is wheelchair-accessible.

KIC Bookeye Scanners are located in all UF Library branches.

Livescribe Echo Smartpens

Livescribe Echo Smartpens can be used for taking digital notes and recordings and reviewing them on your devices. Library West has 30 of these pens available for students registered with the UF Disability Resource Center (DRC). For further information on how to borrow and use these pens, please visit our library guide.

Reference Services

  • All library reference desks provide assistance in locating and using library resources. Limited reference service is available by telephone.
  • In-depth research consultation and database searches are available on request in some libraries or by scheduled appointment in others. Contact a subject specialist librarian to schedule an appointment.
  • The UF Libraries also offers an Introduction to Library Resources Guide explaining how to use library resources.
  • Chat, call, text or email us via Ask-A-Librarian.

Ask-A-Librarian Instant Message (IM) Compatibility

  • Kurzweil works well in Chrome.
  • NVDA, works well with Firefox on Windows.
  • JAWS, works well with Internet Explorer on Windows. Inaccessible with Firefox.
  • ChromeVox, known issues with both Windows and OS X: librarian IM response is not automatically announced.
  • VoiceOver, inaccessible with all browsers tested.

Renew Library Materials Online

Renew items you have checked out in your renewals/library account.

  1. Enter your Gatorlink username and password. For verification, enter the month and date of your birth (0804 for August 4, e.g.).
  2. On the next screen, click the button marked “loans.”
  3. You will see a list of things that you have checked out.
  4. At this point, you can select the “renew all” button at the top of the list or renew items individually by clicking on the number in front of each.
  5. Then click on the “renew” link on the next page that you see.

Accessing Library Materials

Online Materials

eResources

UF Libraries maintain access to over 1,000 databases and platforms, 140,000 e-journals, and one million e-books. Collections are available for public search on the UF Libraries homepage and through an advanced search.

Off-Campus Access to eResources: Many of UF Libraries’ resources and services are available electronically for UF students, faculty, and staff, including journals, databases, and other electronic material. The Off-Campus Access page outlines procedures for access in two ways:

  1. The UF Proxy Server, which is good for brief searches, or
  2. The Virtual Private Network (VPN) software, which maintains your login and is good for extended searches over long periods of time.

Contact the UFIT Help Desk for help with Off-Campus Access at 352-392-HELP

HathiTrust: HathiTrust at UF connects to HathiTrust, an online collection of millions of books that are digitized by libraries around the world through partnerships between academic and research institutions. More than a quarter of these materials are in the public domain and free online, and the University of Florida also makes enhanced access to available to students who are registered with the UF Disability Resource Center (DRC).

Physical In Library Materials

Proxy Borrowing

Borrowing by proxy authorizes another individual to serve as a proxy and check out library material on behalf of another user seeking accessibility accommodations. Current UF faculty, retired UF faculty, Emeritus faculty, Oak Hammock residents, and students registered with the Disability Resource Center may apply for a proxy borrower card. Applications can be picked up and dropped off at any UF Library. Cards will not be activated for use until confirmation is made (in person, by telephone or email) between the UF Libraries and the primary account holder. For more information please view the Public Proxy Borrower Policy.

Requesting Off-Site Materials

Some UF Library items and all storage materials are currently housed off campus. To request them, go to the library catalog from the UF Libraries’ Home Page and sign in, then search for the items needed. If a “request” button appears in the catalog record, click on it and follow the instructions. If it does not appear, click on the “Retrieval Help” tab and complete the form. Materials will be delivered to the Library West Circulation Desk for pick up within 24 hours. Proxy borrowing is available for users seeking accessibility accommodations. For more information please view the Public Proxy Borrower Policy.

To request that a specific item be retrieved, users registered with the UF Disability Resource Center (DRC) may request that a specific item be retrieved by phoning the appropriate circulation desk. Generally, available items will be retrieved within two hours and held for pickup by the user or their proxy at the relevant circulation desk. More time may be required for retrieval during evening and weekends because fewer staff are available. Please call before coming to the library to verify that the item is available.

Large Type Printing

Upon request, library staff will print items in large type for individuals with print-related disabilities.

Accessibility Services by Library

All UF Libraries have wheelchair accessible computers.

Library West

Accessibility Studio Library West: The Accessibility Studio, located on the 3rd floor of Library West, hosts a diverse set of resources to improve accessibility to library materials, including a portable magnifier and Kurzweil software.

Equipment: Library West provides a KIC Bookeye Scanner, a Topaz Desktop Magnifier and a Sapphire Portable Video Magnifier for patrons. The Sapphire can be checked out at the 2nd floor Circulation Desk. Headphones and mics are also available for checkout at the Circulation Desk.

Library West Accessibility Liaison: Cera Keene

Marston Science Library

Equipment: Marston Science Library provides a Tabletop Topaz Video Magnifier and two KIC Bookeye Scanners for patrons. There is a Sapphire Portable Video Magnifier available for checkout at the main service desk, as well as headphones with mics. The library has height-adjustable tables for wheelchair accessibility located in the Conference and Meeting Room (L136), the Library Classroom (L308), and in the Makerspace (L100).

Marston Science Library Accessibility Liaison: Jackson Williams

Smathers Library

Equipment: Smathers Library provides KIC Bookeye Scanners in the 2nd floor, Grand Reading Room, and on the 3rd floor in the Latin American and Caribbean Collection.

Smathers Library Accessibility Liaison: Keith Manuel

Education Library

Equipment: Education Library provides a Topaz Desktop Magnifier located on the first floor at a study station opposite study room 1505. A Sapphire Portable Video Magnifier, an Amplicall CLA3, an accessible keyboard and mouse, and headphones are available for checkout. A KIC Bookeye Scanner for patrons is located on the first floor near the Education Library Classroom.

Education Library Accessibility Liaison: Brittany Kester

Architecture & Fine Arts Library

Equipment: Architecture and Fine Arts Library provides a KIC Bookeye Scanner and a wheelchair accessible Circulation Desk. Headphones, including noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and weighted lap pads are available for check out. For patrons who cannot access the second floor, paging of books is available at the circulation desk.

Health Science Center Library

Equipment: Health Science Center Library provides height-adjustable tables, wheelchair accessible furniture, and KIC Bookeye Scanners on all three floors. Group study rooms C2-45M and C2-45P (second floor) are wheelchair accessible. Special requests may be directed to the Circulation Coordinator by phone 352-273-8408 or email at lib-hsclcirc@health.ufl.edu.

Health Science Center Library Accessibility Liaison: Jane Morgan-Daniel

Legal Information Center

Equipment: The Legal Information Center provides wheelchair accessible computer stations and a KIC Bookeye Scanner. Bookholders, headphones, and a magnifier are available for checkout.

Legal Information Center Accessibility Liaison: Patricia Morgan

Floor Plans

Further Assistance

Accessible UF campus map

For accessible entrances, ADA parking, ADA routes and bus stops, select 'ADA accessibility' on the Campus map.

Need more help?

This page is maintained by the Accessibility Advisory Committee.