Sandy Kaul wrote: > > I would like to hear from anyone about successful solutions to > accessibility problems of Carnegie Library buildings. Our building, which > is a community art center, is 12 feet above grade. Word has it that > future state arts grants may be limited to organizations that can provide > physical access to all. Comments would be very welcome to the list or to > me at: [log in to unmask] > > Thanks! > > Sandy Kaul > Director, Talley Gallery > Bemidji State University > Bemidji, Minnesota 56601 > phone: 218-755-3708 Two local Carnegie Libraries in Upland and Colton, California (both now used for other public purposes than libraries) have solved the wheelchair access problem by installing an elevator at the rear of the building. The front entrances have staircases that cannot be easily replaced by ramps, however, the rear entrances are at grade level. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act generally requires that access not discriminate (persons in wheelchairs should be able to use the same entry doors as people without wheelchairs), there is an exception for cases where modifications are not readily achievable or significantly impact the historic characteristics of a property. You may wish to review the ADA and develop an advisory group that includes persons with disabilities to evaluate the situation. We did that at the Homestead Museum with great success. -- M. A. van Balgooy [log in to unmask] Chaffey Communities Cultural Center PO Box 772 Upland, CA 91785-0772 Telephone (909) 982-8010 Website: http://www.culturalcenter.org Homestead Museum 15415 East Don Julian Road Industry, CA 91745-1029 Telephone (818) 968-8492 Fax (818) 968-2048 Domain name: homesteadmuseum.org (no website yet!)