Exploring inclusive design principles applied in a Nigerian university library

A library is a public building with facilities and services that serve a particular community's educational and social needs. A public building is, therefore, a building that must accommodate everybody at whatever age in life, regardless of anthropometric limitations. The way buildings are used changes because of the needs of aging people and people with disabilities. As such, designing for the majority implies designing for people with varying abilities and disabilities. The methodology through which this study was carried out is based on primary and secondary sources of information. The primary source is a field investigation that includes observing physical traces through a case study. In contrast, the secondary source involves searching encyclopaedias, websites, books, and journals relevant to the study. Findings suggest that disabled people find it difficult to gain access to the library and operate freely without assistance in many public buildings in Nigeria. Therefore, this study efficiently assesses the design considerations for physically challenged people with physical disabilities in public buildings. Insight into design considerations to alleviate this accessibility challenge for people with disabilities is recommended for consideration in any library design.