The DIRC Library is aimed at the layperson and offers material on most disabilities and related issues. The main collection has over 2,500 resources in various formats including books, kits, posters, videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs. The periodical collection has over 140 Australian and international journals and newsletters. The collections are primarily non-medical and aim to provide information in appropriate language levels and formats. The Library team is happy to help you find the information that you need.
- Who uses our Library?
- What sort of information is in the Library?
- How can I use the Library?
- What other facilities are available in our Library?
The DIRC library is used by a diverse range of people. Patrons not only include people with a disability, their relatives, friends and carers but also people who work in the disability sector, students and educators involved in disability-related study, health care professionals, architects and academics. Anyone with an interest in disability is most welcome and encouraged to use our Library.
You will find information on specific disabilities, diseases and disorders such as intellectual, psychiatric, physical, neurological and sensory disabilities, brain injury, autism, foetal alcohol syndrome, spinal cord injury, Tourette’s syndrome and epilepsy. We also have information on an extensive range of related topics, for example accessible building design, the arts, education, employment and legal issues. Our Library also has a strong collection of materials on the sociology and politics of disability.
The collections of the Attention Disorders Association of SA Inc (ADASA), Limb Kids SA, ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society SA and the Neurofibromatosis Association of SA Inc are also held in our Library. On ceasing operations the Migraine Society of Australia (SA) donated its collection to DIRC. This enables these important collections to be available to the public from a central location. If you, or your organisation would like to house your collection or donate material to our Library please contact us.
Drop in to DIRC at 195 Gilles St, Adelaide Monday – Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm. If you find a book, video or DVD that you want to borrow, you will need to join our Library. This is easy. Simply fill in a registration form and show some form of identification such as a driver’s licence or benefits card. And it’s free! You may borrow up to 6 items at a time for a 2 week period. Extension of your loan can usually be arranged if more time is required. If you can’t return the items you have borrowed during office hours we have an after hours return box at the rear of the building.
If you can’t visit our Library we may be able to arrange an inter-library loan for you. To do this you would have to go to a library of which you are a member (eg your local public, university or school library) and ask them to order the material from us. If possible we will send it to that library from where you will be able to collect and return it.
Some reference items and the periodical collection are not available for loan.
The indexed articles from the library journal collection can be accessed online at:
If you can’t visit the Centre you can or phone us on (08) 8236 0555 or email us to place an item on hold or for other assistance.
The library has five computers available for public use. All computers have access to the Internet, word processing and printing. Four of the computers are on height adjustable desks to enable access for all users. A photocopier is available for public use for a small charge. The librarians are available to assist with the use of these facilities and library resources.
