Thompson Library — Local services in Columbus

Thompson Library is a pretty accessible place on Ohio State’s campus. You can tell a lot of care went into its development. The elevators make all eleven stories accessible for someone in a wheelchair or with a mobility issue, and their locations are clearly marked and are often in central locations. There are a lot of quiet spaces for someone with attention and sensory issues to work, but many areas around the first floor are loud and crowded. They also have at least three resource desks (and probably many more) for if people have questions about finding accommodations for technology and books, as well as about the library’s geography in general. They have accommodations for the deaf and blind, including sources in braille and with closed captions, and employees will help these individuals get around if asked. The library’s accessible doors are labeled, but entering the building is a bit of a hassle, as it is kind of up a hill or involves using stairs. There are ramps available of course, but they are not the best. The library has accessible bathrooms for wheelchairs, but only on the ground and first floor (considering the library is eleven stories tall, that could be better). The bathrooms are also not accessible for other types of disabilities, as there are not adult changing tables. Parking is another issue of note, as there is very little around the library itself. There is also not a bus stop in the direct vicinity of the library, which could make it hard to reach for someone with a visibility, intellectual, or mobility disability. Accessibility is mentioned on the library’s website, and it is clear as a part of their mission statement that they are working towards offering better services. Overall, I was impressed with the library and consider it...

I decided to review how Thompson Library is able to cater to those with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. First I would like to share that upon walking in, there is a large spacious entryway facing the oval with a push button for those who are entering in a wheelchair. Additionally, there is a wheelchair ramp for those entering the 1st floor if someone is unable to use the stairs. The building overall is well lit and shouldn't pose too much stress for those with any sort of sensory impairment. Although, I will say the ground floor cafe, Berry Cafe, can get a little noisy. So, for someone who may be impacted by strong auditory sensory overload, this area may need to be avoided. One other component I took note of was that there are floor maps on each floor, but they could be improved with the addition of Braille for those who may have visual impairments. The bathrooms and other room signs do have Braille, however, I think Braille should be included on the floor maps as well. I think it is also important to note that there is an assistance desk located on the first floor, which is useful for anyone who may have questions or need assistance when navigating the building. Lastly, it should be noted that there is an elevator located on every floor and they are fairly spacious...

As one of the most iconic buildings on campus, Thompson library has a duty to be as accessible as possible for anyone who steps foot on campus and wants to get a taste of OSU. While not accessible by car, as the library is centrally located at the west end of the Oval, Thompson does have ramps and elevators to access all 11 floors. My biggest issue with Thompson is that there are not bathrooms on every floor. While I understand the stacks are smaller spaces, a single, wheelchair accessible bathroom on every floor would really help those who may not be able to wait to reach a lower floor. The staff at the library are wonderful, and most are students who genuinely care about their job and how to most effectively help others. The resource desk is centrally located near the elevators on the first floor, and there are two desks, one at wheelchair height and one at standing height, so all guests can access help through the library. Overall, as the face of OSU, Thompson library does a good job working with what they have to make their space as accessible...