Venue Description

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Library and Heritage Centre is home to Europe’s largest nursing specific collection. Just behind Oxford Street, the library includes a cafe and exhibitions open to the public. Our Nursing History Collection is open for visitors to browse nursing history texts and request to access some of our rare books and historical printed collection. Our changing exhibitions explore the richness of nursing history and our UK wide public events programme includes evening seminars, public lectures and workshops, all focused on the history of nursing and health care.

Accessibility

The Library and Heritage Centre's Henrietta Place entrance has automatic doors at street level. All levels of the Library are accessible by lift and/or slopes, allowing access to our library collections and exhibitions. A virtual tour of the space is available on our website https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/services/tours We have specialist equipment to support library study, including magnifying sheets, magnifiers and line readers, reading pens (which can scan entire lines of text and allow selected words to be viewed in large type) and large print keyboard and large VDU screen. We have large print guides to accompany our exhibitions, including transcriptions of sound clips. The majority of our public events are live subtitled, with some also BSL interpreted (see our programme and online event listings for individual event accessibility).

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: https://www.rcn.org.uk/library/services/tours

Accessible Performances

Our public events programme includes lectures which are live subtitled. Some are BSL interpreted. Information about the accessibility of individual events can be found in our programme or online listings. www.rcn.org.uk/whatson

Awards List

Customer Service Excellence®; Archive Accreditation; Sunday Times Best companies 2017; RCN Awards Team of the Year 2017

Toilets

There are disabled access toilets available both in the Library and Heritage Centre, as well as towards the main RCN foyer.

Staff

The Library and Heritage Centre team includes first aiders and all are trained in disability awareness and confidence.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

Assistance animals are welcome in the library. We do not provide water bowls but there are water points which dog owners can use with their own bowl. Our nearest green space is Cavendish Square, where dogs must be kept on a leash. The nearest park that allows dogs off the leash is Regent's Park, but in designated areas only.