The ODU Libraries are committed to ensuring equal access to information and resources for all members of the academic community. All ODU Libraries are outfitted with a variety of spaces and furniture to accommodate the needs of users with disabilities.
Information on accessible parking on the ODU Norfolk campus, please consult Transportation and Parking Services directly. Information can also be found on their website.
Students registered with the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA) who need to use adaptive/assistive technology may reserve room 1309 at the Perry Library Help Desk in the Learning Commons on the 1st floor. This room was recently refreshed by the ODU Libraries with assistance from OEA and includes new paint and carpeting, adjustable seating, scanners, large print/high contrast keyboards, a portable Pearl reading camera, new Windows computers with JAWS Fusion, OpenBook, Kurzweil 1000, Kurzweil 3000, and ABBYY FineReader.
Library users with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from retrieving materials can request materials be mailed to their home addresses using ODU Libraries’ Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services.
On-demand retrieval is available from the help desks at the Perry Library, the Elise N. Hofheimer Library, and the Diehn Composers Room during regular opening hours. On-demand retrieval may be limited in cases of low staffing. Users who wish to pick up materials at the Perry Library Learning Commons Help Desk are encouraged to email a list of items including the title, author, and call number to learningcommons@562857.com.
Staff at the Perry Library Help Desk are available to assist users with accessibility needs. Users with extended research needs should either contact a Subject Specialist, use the Research Appointment request form, or call the Perry Library Help Desk 757-683-4178 to make an appointment for assistance.
Some of the library's databases offer an audio feature for articles and other materials. Factiva, WilsonWeb databases, Gale's Literature Resource Center, and Virtual Reference Library provide audio for most of their content. In other databases, the "html" article format will provide an audio option. You can locate the audio link usually from the full record in the database.
Electronic library materials, such as electronic books, journal subscriptions, and databases are purchased from third-party vendors. The ODU Libraries attempts to obtain materials that are accessible. A variety of databases provide audio features that read articles aloud or have an HTML version of the article that can be used with screen readers. For instruction on specific databases, please consult the appropriate liaison librarian.
On 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors may be reserved by single users registered with the campus Educational Accessibility Office through the Room Reservation System for quiet study or test taking.
Reservations may be made for up to 2 hours per person/per day and up to one week in advance. All rooms have a 40" monitor with hookups for PC and MAC laptops. Cables can be checked out from the Perry Library Help Desk on the 1st floor.