09/17/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2026 16:42
WWU News
September 17, 2026
By Madeline Kelly
Dean, WWU Libraries
With the completion of an accessible ramp-which is expected to open mid-October 2026-wheelchair users and visitors with mobility limitations and disabilities will no longer need to travel a circuitous route around Wilson and through Haggard Hall to access tutoring, study spaces, Zoes, events in the Reading Room, or library collections (including WWU signatures like Special Collections, the Northwest Collection, and the Children's Literature Collection).
The north doors of Wilson will remain closed until the new stairs fully comply with building code, likely at the end of September. The ramp is expected to open a few weeks later. Until then, visitors can access Wilson through Haggard Hall.
In addition to the ramp, which will connect with nearby walkways in two places, other upcoming accessibility improvements will include the installation of automatic doors inside the Wilson entrance and updates to the Libraries' Find a Space system to reflect new options for accessible paths through the building. The latter improvements are slated for later in the academic year.
These improvements are a long-overdue and welcome upgrade to this key campus facility.
If you have questions about library facilities improvements or the accessibility of Wilson Library or Haggard Hall, please contact Western Libraries at [email protected].