Accessibility
The National Library of Ireland is working towards improving accessibility throughout our buildings as part of our capital development project.
The NLI is undergoing a major capital development project, which will ensure universal accessibility for all visitors.
Any queries about accessing our buildings or services for persons with disabilities please contact NLI Access Officer, Peter Devlin, by email access@nli.ie or telephone +353 (0)1 6030265.
Access
Wheelchair access to the main NLI building is via a ramp from the main entrance on Kildare Street.
The entrance doors leading into the main building and the reader’s ticket office are automated, controlled by an access button.
On entry to the front hall, wheelchair/mobility impaired users can access the Main Reading Room via the lift and you will be accompanied by a staff member.
The exhibition YEATS: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats on the lower ground floor is also accessible via a lift.
Universal access toilets are located on the ground floor off the front hall.
There are no public parking facilities at the NLI. There is a set-down lay-by in front of Leinster House approximately 45m from our front gate and wheelchair parking bays approximately 100m away on Molesworth Street. There are two commercial public parking facilities, approximately 175m away at Schoolhouse Lane and Setanta Place.
Reading Rooms
To use any of our reading rooms, and the Family History service, you must have a reader's ticket. You may apply for a reader's ticket in advance by using our online application form.
Main Reading Room and Microfilm Reading Room, 6/7 Kildare Street
There is a ramp entrance to the main building. The reading rooms are located up three flights of stairs on the first floor of the main building. They can be access via a lift. Please let staff at the reception desk know, and a librarian will explain the evacuation procedures and accompany you in the lift.
To access the reading rooms from the lift you will need to go through two doors. There is a slight incline through these doors and the doors are narrow. Staff will be on hand to support this.
Manuscripts Reading Room, 2/3 Kildare Street
The reading room is on the ground floor and accessed by six steps. The accessible entrance is located via a ramp to the adjoining building; this building is not open to the public. As member of staff is required to accompany wheelchair users to the reading room, we ask that you email staff at mqueries@nli.ie (ph: 6030286) in advance of your visit.
In the unlikely event of an evacuation the same route will be used to evacuate wheelchair users. If the route cannot be accessed an Evac-Chair will be used to support evacuation for exiting the secondary route. You must be able to self-transfer to the Evac-Chair.
Staff will explain the evacuation procedure before you enter the reading room.
On the way to the reading room, there are lockers located in the corridor on the same floor as well as an accessible toilet.
Family History Room, 6/7 Kildare Street
This room is on the mezzanine level in the main library building. It is currently only accessible via stairs. Introductory consultations will be held in the Microfilm Reading Room and should be booked in advance. There are also eResources available here.
- Height adjustable desks (in Microfilm and Manuscripts Reading Rooms)
- Headphones (in all reading rooms; including the Family History Room)
- Hearing loops
- Magnifying glasses
There are accessible lockers on the ground floor on the right of the front hall, beside the lift as well as a set of lockers behind the reception desk.
There is an accessible toilet located near the lift and another accessible toilet is located behind the reception desk and to the right.
Evac-Chairs will be used in the unlikely event of an evacuation. Staff will explain the evacuation procedure before entering the reading rooms. You must be able to self-transfer to the Evac-Chair.
Exhibition Spaces
National Photographic Archive, Meeting House Square, Dublin 2
The National Photographic Archive Reading Room and exhibition space is accessible for wheelchair users. There is a universal access toilet located on the ground floor.
Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again Exhibition, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2
The Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again exhibition is at the Bank of Ireland Cultural and Heritage Centre at College Green – entrance via Westmoreland Street.
The Seamus Heaney exhibition space is accessible for wheelchair users. There is a portable ramp in place for ease of access for wheelchair/mobility impaired visitors. There is a lift available on the ground floor to take visitors to the exhibition floor and the universal access toilet is available on the first floor. For queries, please call 01 670 6153 or e-mail heaneyexhibition@nli.ie.
Yeats: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats, 7/8 Kildare Street
The exhibition YEATS: The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats on the lower ground floor is accessible via a lift.
Facilities & Support
The NLI has evacuation procedures in place to assist all to evacuate the buildings safely. The evacuation procedure for wheelchair/mobility impaired readers includes the use of an “Evac” chair.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
To assist readers and visitors with a hearing impairment hearing loops are installed throughout our buildings.
The NLI is proud to offer a JAM Card friendly environment. The JAM Card allows people with a hidden disability or communication barrier to tell others that they need extra time and understanding in a private and easy way. The JAM Card is a physical card or mobile app that allows a user to ask for ‘Just a Minute’ of patience in a public or social situation.
When visiting the NLI show your JAM Card, in card or app form, to a member of staff who will be happy to give you as much time as you may need and help to support your visit.