August 1, 2008
Jamestown, North Dakota's Alfred Dickey Public Library. A visit in a wheel chair.
The library building is a classic two-story built in 1918 in the Egyptian style. It's a beautiful old building but, as we were here to check out its usefulness for someone in a wheel chair, some of its charm was lost on us. "Us" is intrepid traveller Zach, Zach's nurse Kellie, and his outreach staff, John. Fortunately, Zach is more than willing to risk an inconvenience or two to get out and about into the community.
Back in 1918 no one was especially concerned about handicapped access (nor were the early Egyptians, apparently), and remodeling is an expensive proposition, but we found the basic modifications that had been done to be crucial to our first library experience. Wheelchair access is through a sidewalk level door just to the east of the steps leading up to the main entrance on the front of the building (the south side). Parking is limited but a handicapped parking spot is conveniently located right in front of the door. Inside the door is a small elevator to take you up to the main library or down to the children's library. We went up.
The staff were very helpful and accommodating and it wasn't long before Zach had gotten signed up for a library card and we were shown the recorded books section. Zach picked out a Louis La'Amour western. That same Louis La'Amour used to check out stories from this same library, although not this exact building. There's a nice photo of Louis (pronounced LOO-ee) in the front non-fiction room.
The library is full of stuff, good stuff. You can see why they would like to build a new building; they need more room for even more good stuff. We were able to navigate around the building except where some book shelving had been placed on stands in the middle of a narrow room.
We went down the elevator and checked out the children's library; again crowded but accessible. We came back to the main floor and Zach checked out his audio book. His library card will be ready next time he comes in.
The restroom on the main floor is small but wheelchair accessible. The one handicapped parking spot in front of the building is appreciated but insufficient. We came back another day to take pictures of the Library and the handicapped parking spot was taken. Because we use a lift to load and unload Zach's chair, we need at least one more parking spot to our right to function. We found a spot open in front of the church next door. Parking space in general is a problem with no parking lot and trying to get backed out from our spot on the street into the Middle School traffic pouring at 3:15 pm was a 10 minute wait.
Accessibility Highlights:
* Parking is not good; for wheelchair users and the general public.
* The ground floor entrance and elevator provide good access to the main floor and the lower level children's library.
* A wheelchair accessible restroom is available on the main floor.
* Things are crowded inside but most areas are open to wheelchair travelers.
* Staff seem pleased to see the handicapped facilities being used.
-John Andrus
Photos by Zach
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