Physical Spaces & Accessibility 

Below are some of the accessibility features available at Butler Library.

• Service animals and service animals in-training are welcome
• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator*
• Automatic doors at entrances
• Accessible Circulation and Ask Us desks
• Lowered water fountains on each floor
• Accessible individual study rooms 
• Computer workstations are wheelchair accessible
• Assistive Technology Lab with specialized software and equipment
• Headphone ports at all computer workstations

*All three floors of E. H. Butler Library are accessible to patrons with mobility impairments. The first floor is on two levels. 

Accessing Materials

If you need assistance locating, retrieving, or using materials, you may request assistance at the Ask Us desk located on the lower first floor of the Academic Commons. You may also place a Hold Request. Directions on placing a request are below. After a request is placed a librarian will have the book placed on the hold shelf located on the first floor of the library by the circulation and ask us desks. If you need immediate assistance retrieving a book, please ask for assistance at the circulation desk, we are happy to help! 

Hold Requests  

1. Go to the Libraries Homepage: https://library.buffalostate.edu/home/main
2. Type the title of the item you want retrieved 
3. Make sure you are signed in 
4. Be sure the item is loanable and available
5. To the left sidebar click “Get It” 
6. Select Request: Place a Hold 
7. Click send request 
8. The staff will pull the material for you usually within 48 hours weekends & holidays excluded. 
9. The item will be pulled and placed on the hold shelf alphabetically by your last name  
10. You will need your Buffalo State ID card to check out materials  

SUNY Resource Sharing 

If E. H. Butler Library does not have a copy of a print book you need, we can acquire it from any of the SUNY academic libraries through Resources Sharing. To learn how to request a book from another SUNY Academic Library click Here.  

Interlibrary Loan

For print books and digital articles that are not available through other SUNY libraries, we can request access through our interlibrary loan system. Books can usually be available for pick up within 3 to 14 business days. Articles typically can be delivered digitally within 1 to 4 business days. To set up your free account and learn more about interlibrary loan please click Here. To view interlibrary loan FAQs please click Here.

Research Assistance

Reference librarians offer individualized assistance to students, faculty, and staff who would like to learn how to use the library more efficiently and take advantage of the many resources available. For extensive research help, you may request a research appointment with a librarian. Research appointments are available in-person and virtually. 

Accessibility Software & Technology

All PC computer workstations have the Ease of Access Center that allows modifying accessibility settings and programs through Windows. Visit the Microsoft Windows website for more information.

Assistive Technology Lab (Room 181G)

The Assistive Technology Lab, located in Butler Library's first floor QuietQuad (room 181G), houses the following equipment and software for patrons with disabilities:

• Computers with Dragon NaturallySpeaking (speech-to-text software), JAWS (reads aloud electronic text from web pages), TextHelp Read&Write (Speech-to-Text) and scanners (allows scanning and reading aloud text from print materials), and Zoomtext (screen magnification software)
• Merlin LCD, a full-color, auto-focus video magnifier system (enlarges and enhances text and images)
• Large-print computer keyboard
• Adjustable keyboard trays to accommodate wheelchairs
• A Braille dictionary