Accessible, Inclusive Library with activities
5
5
Date of visit: November 2025
I am a disabled person and a carer or friend of a disabled person and a general supporter of disabled access. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets, moving around and understanding.
I use or have experience of: autism, autism, disabled toilet, mobility scooter, powerchair, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Excellent
Really accessible building, buttons to open doors, accessible toilet, ramped access from Birmingham Road and the car park (located at the end of Readers Walk) 2 accessible parking spaces closest to the entrance have been tarmacked, very easy to push wheelchair over with plenty of room to manoeuvre between vehicles. Staff keep obstructions inside to a minimum and are happy to help reach objects as well as answer library related queries. Free hot drinks are available during opening hours (these vary day to day) and there are regular activities for children and adults, most of these are approximate for people with sensory issues. Great Barr library also offers "Library Plus" for members who want to access the building from 7am to 10pm. I love being able to pop in any time to choose books or return them. Even the library can be busy and noisy after school, after 7pm it's likely child free and the free adults present are glued to computers, leaving the bookshelves and comfy seats for bookworms living their childhood dreams ❤️📚
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Single storey building with 3 automatic doors. Automatic sliding entrance door leads to atrium with a push button operated door to the left (adults library) toilets opposite and push button operated door to the right (children's library) Very short pile carpet doesn't impede street wheels of my chair, off road wheels need a little extra oomph on my part, if you have a choice I recommend Street/indoor wheels. Space in the porch for scooters and pushchairs, there are also bike racks in the garden to the front of the library where larger items can be secured though this is uncovered.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals, Step-free access to most areas
Parking & Transport
Excellent
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
51 and x51 bus passes Birmingham Road entrance, which is opposite Lidl. Other services pass the Scott Arms (I'll look them up next time) If you're driving, use postcode B43 6PF to find the carpark, there's a road sign that's easy to miss but that postcode will take you to the green gates at the rear of the library and the carpark.
Accessible facilities: Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
Accessible toilet with sturdy grab rails, two sinks, a baby change unit a noisy hand dryer (something to be mindful about if you have sensory issues) Staff keep it clean and welcoming.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
Staff and volunteers are friendly, helpful and approachable. I've had help logging on and changing my PIN, a quick tutorial on how to order books from other libraries, connect BorrowBox to access digital titles and audiobooks and logging into MySandwell Account for life admin. They explained things clearly, my login issue was due to system update and not user error. They actively ask for feedback and suggestions on anything they can do to help all library users feel welcome and included.
Comments
dystrophydad
01 Dec 2025
Great review Marie. I always pay close attention to the carpet, I don't think people talk enough about how thick carpets can be challenging for manual wheelchair users. Thanks for sharing – looking forward to seeing more!
