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Our Organization: Mudd Library and Map Room Accessibility

Accessibility information for Geology Library and Map Room in North Mudd

Mudd Library and Map Room Accessibility

Location: The Mudd Library is located in the west end of the second floor of the Seeley W. Mudd Laboratory of the Geological Sciences (North Mudd).

Mudd Library hours and floor plan images.

Physical Accessibility

  • From the North entrance of the North Mudd building, there is a short set of steps to get into the building. Once in the building, there’s an elevator to the second floor as well as a set of stairs.
  • Mudd Library Room I is a part of South Mudd but is connected to the Library. There are five steps to access that room.
  • The Library is happy to page books from the Mudd Library (North or South) and Map Room and make them available for pick up at Sherman Fairchild Library.

Book Return

  • A book return is available at all times just outside the North entrance of North Mudd.

Printers

  • There is a multi-function printer near the entrance to the open study area of the library, on the right.
  • There is an oversized printer/scanner in the map room of the library.

Restrooms

  • Non-accessible gendered restrooms are located on the second floor of North Mudd just outside of the Mudd Library.
  • Accessible restrooms are located in the sub-basement of North Mudd. Exit the library into North Mudd and the elevators will be on your right. Once down in the sub-basement, exit the elevators to your right to find accessible gender-neutral restrooms.

Quiet Spaces

  • The Mudd Library is a quiet study space: occasional discussion is allowed, phones should be set to vibrate or silent, headphones should be set at low volume.
  • Because the Mudd Library connects North and South Mudd, there can be an increase in volume when people are passing through.

Lighting

  • Lighting in the entrance to the library and throughout the stacks is fluorescent. However, the lighting in the study area is incandescent but very dim.
  • There is natural light in the library's open study area from two large windows to the West and two large windows from the North.
  • There are four study carrels with directed over-desk LED adjustable-lighting.

Accessible Pathway to Mudd Library from Outside

To get to Mudd Library without using stairs, enter through South Mudd using the ramp adjacent to the driveway between the North and South Mudd buildings. This entrance is on the east side of S. Wilson Ave. near its intersection with E. California Blvd.; see the Caltech campus map for the locations of the North and South Mudd buildings:

Driveway under Mudd building with ramp to entrance on the right side of the archway

Take this ramp up, then turn right at the top of the ramp. Go through the glass double doors (power assisted) to enter into South Mudd:

Glass doors into concrete building at the top of the ramp.

Go down the hallway until it turns into an atrium with scientific displays:

End of a hallway opening into an atrium containing scientific displays, there is an elevator to the left just inside the atrium and stairs to the right.

There is an elevator to the left just inside the atrium. Take the elevator to the third floor:

Black elevator doors inset into a white wall.

Exit the elevator, turn right, and proceed down the hallway and through the glass double doors (power assisted):

Double glass doors leading to an outside walkway between South and North Mudd buildings.

Travel straight through the outdoor space connecting the North and South Mudd buildings (this space is exposed to weather):

Outdoor walkway with building on the left and a railing with open air to the right, there is scaffolding covering the walkway

Go through the glass double doors (power assisted) to enter North Mudd:

Glass doorway into North Mudd that is up a small ramp.

Turn right when you enter the building:

White hallway with wooden doors and posters on the walls.

The elevator will be halfway down the hall on your right. Take the elevator in North Mudd down to the second floor:

Burnished gold elevator doors inset into white walls.

When you exit the elevator, turn left, and you can enter Mudd Library:

Carved wooden and glass doorway at the end of a hall that leads into the Mudd Library, there is an orange book deposit to the right just outside of the library entrance.

Accessible Pathway to Mudd Library Room I from Mudd Library Entrance

To get to Mudd Library Room I without using stairs, start at the main entrance of the Mudd Library inside the North Mudd building. Face away from the Library and proceed down the hall:

View down a white hallway with periodic wooden doors and a window at the end.

Partway down the hall there will be an elevator on the right. Take the elevator up to the third floor:

Burnished gold elevator doors set into a white wall.

Turn left upon exiting the elevator and continue down the hallway:

White hallway with wood doors and scientific posters on the walls and small windows at the end.

Near the end of the hallway, there will be a short passage on your left ending with glass double doors (power assisted). Turn left and go through these doors:

Short white hallway ending with glass doors which stand open.

Proceed straight through the outdoor space connecting the buildings (this space is exposed to weather):

Walkway between two concrete structures with exterior doors set into them.

Go through the double doors (power assisted) to enter South Mudd:

Glass double doors set into a concrete exterior wall.

Proceed down the hallway until you reach the staircase landing area. There will be an elevator to your left, across from the stairs:

Staircase landing area with an elevator on the left and the staircase on the right.

Take the elevator to the second floor:

Open elevator doors showing the elevator's interior with wood panelling.

Exit the elevator, turn right, and proceed down the hall:

Hallway covered in scientific posters and ending in glass double doors.

At the end of the hall are glass double doors (power assisted), which are the entrance to the Mudd Library Room I:

Glass double doors through which shelves of books are visible.

Accessibility information for Geology Library and Map Room in North Mudd