Centennial Building Accessibility & Pre-Visit Information

Updated 9/19/2024

Click here to view Pre-Visit Information for the State Historical Building

Parking

Parking is available at the Tower Place and Parking ramp adjacent to the building on the corner of Iowa Avenue and South Gilbert Street. The first hour is free and it is $2 per additional hour. There are several other nearby parking ramps with similar rates (listed below) and additional parking information can be found at Parking Meters, Facilities and Programs.

• Chauncey Swan Parking ramp at 415 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (first hour free, $2 per additional hour)
• Dubuque Street Parking ramp at 220 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (first hour free, $2 per additional hour)

Metered parking is also available in front of the building, across the street and throughout the downtown area. The meters take cards, smartphone apps and change ($1.50–$2.25 per hour depending on the location). There are 2-hour time limits at most metered parking spots, but you can pay again when you reach your time limit.

Public Transit

Iowa City buses are free for anyone to ride, thanks to the Fare Free Iowa City initiative. No transit passes or pocket change needed. Services are open to the general public, including persons with disabilities.

General

First Aid

If you need emergency assistance, please dial 911.

A first aid kit is available near the main reference desk. Please ask staff for assistance.

Food & Drink

Food or drink is only permitted outside of the reading rooms, such as the entryway, lobby, or conference room on the first floor. If you have an accessibility or medical requirement, please let staff know upon arrival so that we can properly accommodate you.

Mobility

Walkways & Entrances

Visitors may enter the building on Iowa Avenue. The entrance has a stairway and a ramp on the left side.

Centennial Building entrance and stairway on Iowa Avenue

High resolution image of the Centennial Building entrance and stairway on Iowa Avenue

Centennial Building entrance ramp

High resolution image of the Centennial Building entrance ramp

Power-assist automatic door openers are available for front door access and for immediate entryways into the building.

Automatic door button at the Centennial Building entrance

High resolution image of the automatic door button

Wheelchairs

The building is wheelchair accessible, however some library and archival materials may be difficult to reach or access. Please work with the Library and Archives Research Center staff to accommodate your needs.

Lockers

There are lockers available for public use Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during Research Center open hours. The lockers are located to the left before entering the reading room and they use two quarters. The quarters will be ejected at the end of use.

Lockers available for public use

High resolution image of the lockers

Quarter slot for the lockers

High resolution image of the quarter slot for lockers

Elevators

An elevator is available to access the second level for Special Collections upon request and dependent upon staffing levels. The elevator is in the main reading room on the first floor.

Image of the elevator

Restrooms

There are two single-stall restrooms and one men’s restroom with two stalls on the first floor. They are located to the right before the reading room doors.

There are two single-stall restrooms on the second floor. Please note that the restrooms do not have automatic door openers.

Image of the first floor public restrooms

Water Fountains

Wheelchair accessible water fountains are located on the first floor of the reading room and in the hallway on the second floor.

Image of the accessible water fountain

Other Accommodations & Feedback

The State Historical Society of Iowa is dedicated to providing inclusive and welcoming experiences for all audiences. We are continuing to make improvements to the Centennial and staff receive ongoing training and information about interacting with people with disabilities.

For accessibility questions and to request reasonable accommodations at the Centennial Building, please email shsi.accessibility@iowa.gov or call 319-335-3926. Please note that at times, certain accommodations may not be possible.

We also welcome feedback about the accessibility of SHSI spaces and the accommodations available. Please fill out this short survey online to provide feedback about your visit or ask staff how you can take the survey during your visit.