Professor George Mayer spoke of Jane Bancroft Cook, having "infinite compassion, infinite concern about people in the community and in the larger world."

"The human right to freedom from any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on the status of differently-abled which has the purpose or effect of impairing the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms." From the PDHRE (Peoples Decade for Human Rights Education) site

The Jane Bancroft Cook Library's policy is to make all of its collections and services accessible to library users. Persons with disabilities will have access to the Jane Bancroft Cook Library's resources and services comparable to that extended to other persons eligible to use them. Library staff will facilitate each readers' independence to make full use of the collections.

The Jane Bancroft Cook Library is committed to actively address ADA services due to its fundamental values of intellectual freedom and access to information, and by the NCF and USF's commitments to equity in using facilities to support the research, teaching, and learning needs of all students. New College of Florida, University of South Florida Sarasota / Manatee and other area Community and State University students, faculty, and staff with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Reference Desk 941-487-4301 or email reference@ncf.edu before coming to the library for information on access and special services available to them.

Library staff at either public service desk can assist you. Requests for brief assistance, like retrieving a book from the stacks or using the Virtual Library can usually be done.

The Reference Librarians can help with your research by answering questions, and explaining access to electronic books and journals. When lengthy assistance is needed please arrange in advance for a staff member to work with you.

Educational information from the USF Libraries

Research Guides and Tutorials

There are USF Libraries workshops each term. Individual guided tours can be arranged with library staff to familiarize you with the physical layout and emergency exits of the building.

Services from your home or office

Through the USF Sarasota Manatee Cook Library's website or the USF Libraries website, many services are available to you at home or in your office. Among others, services include Book renewal, Interlibrary Loan requests, electronic Reserves, Reference questions answered by telephone or email.

Library Cards for your research assistant

If you are a NCF or USF Sarasota /Manatee student or staff member with a physical disability, you may be eligible to obtain a proxy borrower's card for a specified research assistant, friend or attendant to borrow library materials. Apply at the circulation desk.

When applying to do this you should have the following information ready: your name; your Social Security number OR NCF / USF ID card number (begins with the numbers "205"); the individual's name, and the date you wish the proxy/family card to expire. Please note: the patron requesting the proxy/family card is fully responsible for materials charged to his/her account by the designated individual. Proxy cards for non-students / staff will be determined by the applicant's particular circumstances through the administration office.

Note takers

There are copy machines in Room 141 that a note-taker may use to make copies of the notes made in class.

There are two small group study rooms, used on a first come basis, where a note taker may meet for a short time to go over information with you for your class.

Mobility impairments

There are three spaces reserved for parking in the lot North of the library and one space in the lot South of the library. The Library building is wheelchair-accessible. It has automatic entryways. The book stacks have wide aisles. There is elevator access to the second floor Circulating Collection stacks. A number of carrels on each floor accommodate wheelchairs. They are identified with the international sign. One is near the Reference Desk.

Vision impairments

A computer near the Reference Desk is equipped with ZoomText software to provide access to the Cook Library catalog, the USF Libraries and the web.

An Optelec magnifier is available in a study room. Ask at the Reference Desk.

Audio books are catalogued in the Cook Library Catalog and available at the Circulation Desk.. Talking Books, magazines, and videos are available from the Manatee County Public Library System at the South Manatee Branch Library, 6081 26th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34207 located at the south end of Bayshore Crossings Mall. For further information: (941) 742-5914, (941) 484-0308 Email: patricia.schubert@co.manatee.fl.us

Hearing impairments

At a workstation near the Reference Desk there is the American Sign Language CD. This computer is equipped with headphones to access web sites with audio.

Learning disabilities

Please explain to the librarian the kind of assistance that is needed based on the specific learning disability. Library staff will help, for example, they can comply with requests such as, reading a word or call number, or provide concise written or oral directions to locate library materials.

If you have any computer-related needs that are not being met, please make your needs known to Reference Staff, and we will make every effort to accommodate them.

You are encouraged to make suggestions of equipment or services that would be useful to you when using the Jane Bancroft Cook Library.

Useful New College of Florida or University of South Florida Sarasota / Manatee sites:

Writing Resource Center upstairs in the Jane Bancroft Cook Library in the Media Center call 487-4506

University of South Florida Student Disability Services 4202 East Fowler Avenue, SVC 1133, Tampa, Florida 33620-6923 813-974-4309 813-974-5651 (TDD)