City Library Autism Friendly User Guide

Welcome to Newcastle City Library.

The aim of this guide is to support children, young people and adults with autism in the access of the library and its services.

I can also enter and exit the library on level 2.

Sometimes in strong wind level 2 entrance may be closed but I can still always enter on level 1.

The doors will open automatically for me.

There are stairs and glass lifts I can use to go to a different floor.

On level 1 is adult non-fiction books, computers and the shop.

On level 2 there are 15 minute use computers and a café.

On level 3 is the children’s area, computers and fiction for adults.

On level 4 there are computers and a gallery with books on display.

Level 5 is only for staff.

Level 6 is the heritage floor. Local history items and books are here.

I can find a sign like this on each floor. It will tell me where everything is.

Staff will wear a badge like this.

Sometimes I might not see a member of staff at the desk but if I wait here they will come to help me as soon as they can.

Sometimes there will be a queue at the desk so I will need to wait my turn.

Sometimes it might be noisy if there are lots of people.

This is the Calm Zone on level 3.

The staff can help me find a book that I want.

I can choose items to borrow from the library shelves and displays.

The staff can help me issue the library items to my account and return my items at the desk.

The staff member will issue the items to my account and give me a slip of paper to tell me when my items are due back

I can also use the self-issue machines which are on level 1 and level 2.

I can use a computer while I’m at the library.

The staff can reserve me a computer to use when one is available.