This page outlines access to both the Milstein Exhibition Centre and the Milstein Seminar Room, which is Cambridge University Library’s primary events space. Access to the seminar room is through the exhibition centre. Both can be accessed either internally through the library's main entrance or via a step-free side entrance.
General car parking and accessible parking spaces are available at the front of the library, via West Road.
Internal access through the library
Using the ground floor main entrance, the Milstein Exhibition Centre entrance is to the right-hand side of the circular desk. The initial power-assisted doorway into the lobby area is 94cm wide. There are then a pair of heavy fire doors at the top of the stairs, opened with a pull handle and six steps down, with a handrail on both sides. Each side of the double door gives a 69cm wide opening.
Due to the conservation-controlled environment the light levels in this room are low. The Milstein Seminar Room is located at the far end of the Milstein Exhibition Centre, an approximately 25 metre walk from the bottom of the stairs to the entrance to the seminar room. To exit the process is the same in reverse.
External step-free access
For step-free access to both the exhibition centre and the seminar rooms there is a ground floor entrance to the right of the library’s main steps and entrance. There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance. This is sign-posted by a double-sided exhibition branded board on the grass outside the library.
To the righthand side of the door there is a touch-screen intercom system which will present with a welcome screen when approached. The intercom box is at height of 40cm from the bottom of the box to the floor.
Touching the screen will produce a menu to call either the ‘Main Desk’ or the ‘Exhibition Office’. Click on the ‘Main Desk’ button to call a member of the entrance hall staff who will be able to talk to you through the intercom and camera; they will operate the door remotely and it will open automatically inwards. If you would like assistance from a member of staff, please indicate at this stage so that they can come to meet you.
The door is single, with a width of 90cm. An additional 35cm can be achieved by manually opening the side flap. There is a very slight slope up to the door.
After the automatic door there is a short, carpeted corridor followed by a manual door that pulls inwards using a handle. This door opens into the Milstein Exhibition Centre, from which the Milstein Seminar Room is roughly 15 metres walk away. There is also an accessible toilet in the corridor which includes baby changing facilities.
The exit is back through the same corridor and out of the same door, which is also the designated fire exit for the exhibition centre. There is a button to press on the column in the corridor, at 84cm from the floor which automatically opens the door.
Milstein Seminar Room
The Milstein Seminar Room is a multi-functional space used for public events as well as staff and student activities.
Access is through a door located in a partition that separates the exhibition centre to the seminar rooms. This door is 80cm wide and there is no lip. Wider mobility equipment may be able to be accommodated as the partition can be opened. Please contact us before attending an event to check if this is possible.
The majority of events held in the seminar rooms can accommodate wheelchair users. Staff will always be available at events to help in any way they can. However, setup for each event hosted in the seminar rooms is different. We therefore suggest if you have any specific requirements to get in touch so we can best advise how we can support and accommodate your visit.
For queries relating to the Milstein Exhibition Centre, email rl692@cam.ac.uk.
For queries relating to events in the Milstein Seminar Rooms, email events@lib.cam.ac.uk.
