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1310 South Main Street
Fall River, MA 02724
Phone: Tel: 508-324-2708
http://www.sailsinc.org/fallriver/Branches.html

south-branch-fall-river-public-library-004.jpgWhile traveling in Fall River today my friends and I came upon  the Fall River South Branch Library. We discovered that this small library is not wheelchair accessible. South Branch Library is a branch of the Fall River Public Library, which is part of the Sails system. The Sails system offers members access to resources from more than 70 libraries. This branch is open; Monday and Tuesdays 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 11am-7pm; Thursday 9am-5pm; Friday and Saturday 9am-4:30pm.

Parking is available on the street; yet there are no handicap parking spaces in sight. Tony, Kevin and I approached this small library to find that there is a sloped cement walkway leading to the front entry door but it is not accessible because there is a 10″ inch threshold at the door that prevents wheelchair access.

south-branch-fall-river-public-library-002.jpgTony went inside and spoke with a nice librarian. She explained that requests have been made to make this library accessible; but it has not been done due to lack of finances. She told him that she feels sorry for those in wheelchairs that she has to turn away. She told a story of one man in a wheelchair that was so desperate to enter that he transferred himself from his wheelchair to a chair right inside the door. This is a safety and liability hazard so it is good he was not injured.

I give the Fall River South Branch Library ZERO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn any more Stars, they would simply need to build a threshold opening at the doorway or slope the cement ramp right up to the threshold of the door. If they do not want to do the construction then they could purchase a small  EZ Access Suitcase Ramp Advantage Series so that all persons have equal access to all Public Libraries.