Accessibility services

Library accessibility statement

In collaboration with University partners, the University Libraries is committed to providing equitable access to our collections, services, and facilities for all library users. Where we do not achieve accessibility, we welcome all accommodation requests.

The Libraries’ follow all University policies and applicable laws, including:

Please contact us if your accessibility needs are not being met or if you have comments or suggestions.

Website accessibility

The University of Minnesota Libraries website at www.lib.umn.edu adheres to not only the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA but also incorporates techniques to alleviate cognitive accessibility issues by considering the Cognitive Accessibility (COGA) guidance. We are committed to making the Libraries’ website and resources accessible to all.

Additionally, the Libraries’ search has gone through accessibility testing and performs accessibility improvements throughout the year.

We have monthly accessibility audits using a variety of available tools including WAVE, SiteImprove, VoiceOver, keyboard navigation, and University evaluation requests.

Send us additional accessibility feedback.

Collections and accessibility

Vended content

The University of Minnesota Libraries make it a priority to select and acquire, whenever possible, resources and technologies that are accessible to all. To help us work toward more accessible library resources, we have implemented accessibility purchasing procedures for electronic resources (e-resources) that we purchase from vendors/publishers.

As part of these procedures, the Libraries asks publishers/vendors to insert accessibility language into our e-resource licenses/contracts, such as the accessibility license language developed by the Big Ten Academic Alliance Libraries (or similar).

E-resource testing

The University of Minnesota Libraries participates in efforts by the Big Ten Academic Alliance Libraries group, which expanded to include additional consortia in 2020 becoming the Library Accessibility Alliance) related to e-resource accessibility. In addition to creating accessibility license language for vendor e-resources, the libraries in the Library Accessibility Alliance are collectively funding third-party accessibility evaluations of library e-resources. This program provides vendors with a report and the opportunity to improve the accessibility of their products while giving members of the library community information about the accessibility of specific library e-resources.

Proxy cards

Any student, staff, and faculty member with a disability may request a proxy card for their personal assistant to check out library materials.

For further information or to pick up an application form contact the information desk at Wilson Library, 612-624-3321.

Hathi Trust

HathiTrust Digital Library is a partnership of academic and research institutions, including the University of Minnesota, that offers a collection of millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world.

The entire text may be available for download or access may be copyright restricted. Hathi Trust’s Help Documentation provides more information about using the Digital Library.

Eligible University of Minnesota students, faculty and staff whose disabilities do not allow them to use printed books can receive special lawful access to in-copyright materials in HathiTrust. Access includes all books held in the HathiTrust collection.

In-person retrieval

We can gather materials for quick pickup at the information desk.

Library events

The Libraries will provide accommodations, such as American Sign Language interpreters and/or live captioning, for library-sponsored events upon request.

Contact the event organizer or hosting library to make disability-related accommodations or dietary requests for events. Please place your request at least two weeks in advance, if possible.

Building accessibility

For more details how to accessibly use any of the library buildings, check the library's page:

Walter Library