Overview

I have visited before but this review is going to focus on disabled access since the covid measures have been introduced. I visited on 27 May 2021 and at that time all visits to the library need to be pre-booked via their website. If you are wanting to use the reading rooms, you will need to book a slot and then order your books.

Transport & Parking

The British Library is on Euston Road next door next door to St Pancras Station and close to King's Cross and Euston Stations. Nearby is King's Cross tube station which is step free. Euston tube station is not step free and Euston Square tube station is only step free west bound. There are also a number of bus routes that stop outside the library. I travelled by bus. There is a bus stop directly outside and one the opposite side of the street.

Access

To enter the library now you have to go to Gate 2 on Ossulston Street. If you are facing the front of the library it's the side street on your left hand side. Currently the other entrances are closed to the public. This entrance has a step free route into the library. There is a very slight slope and arrow markers on the floor pointing out the route. There is small hut and there was a small queue to the side. I walked straight up to the front of the queue as the website says if you can't stand to approach a member of staff. I showed my ticket and was let in straight away. I have taken a few photos of the one way route to the library. From the entrance it follows the fence along Euston Road and then turns left towards the conference centre. There are white arrows in blue circles on the floor which highlight the route and keep a safe distance markers on the floor. On the day I visited when I approached the entrance of the library there was a section to the right of the door which had tall corrugated iron panels and some form of building work was going on inside it. I assume this is temporary. This obscured my view of the path but I remembered there are steps leading up to the front of the building. I asked a security guard if I could go the step free route as I have a mobility disability. I followed that path and walked behind the building works, see photo. When I arrived my path was cordoned off and I had to ask to be let in. Once I got inside it there was security bag check with staff wearing masks. There was some hand sanitiser but apart from me I didn't notice anyone else stopping to use it. Inside there are one way routes marked out by the same white arrows in blue circles on the floor as outside. There are cordons. It was very quiet and empty compared to previous visits. It felt safe and spacious. There are signs on the lift asking people to use the stairs if they can. The one thing that was a problem was the lack of seating in the communal areas. There are signs on seats saying Closed for your safety. Usually when I arrive I like to take a seat and have a short rest after a tiring journey. I would appreciate it if the British Library would consider making some seating readily available for those of us who have mobility disabilities. I was in Humanities 1 reading room on the first floor. People were well spread out with a least 1 desk space between people. It felt empty compared to previous visits. There was a cordoned line to queue for your books but there was never more than 1 or 2 people waiting to be served. When you come out of the library, there is an exit to your left which comes out onto Midland Road, which is directly opposite the side of St Pancras train station.

Toilets

I used the accessible toilet on the first floor which has power assisted doors. The toilet was spacious and with grab rails. There was an emergency cord but it was clipped onto one of the grab rails so I unhooked it. The toilet was very clean and tidy. Please note there is a Changing Places toilet at King's Cross Railway Station about 3-5 minutes walk way.

Staff

Staff were extremely helpful. Previously when I have visited I have needed help to carry the books from the desk to my table. I had contacted the access team and double checked with covid precautions if this would still be available. I was delighted to find out it was and I was advised just to ask staff when I needed that assistance. Staff were so helpful. Thank you BL staff for your assistance.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I will be honest and say before my visit I was feeling very nervous about going. However, there were lots of things that re-assured me. The timed entrance which has significantly reduced the number of visitors. The BL feels very spacious now and apart from the entrance and locker room I didn't see many people as I walked to from my reading room. People were wearing masks and kept to social distancing. I was really pleased that staff assistance was still available and everyone was very helpful. I felt safe and I'm due to go back a few times over the next month and I'm feeling confident and looking forward to continuing my research.

Photos