Managing Accessible Library Web Content

Abstract

Purpose

Academic library web sites contain a vast amount of content, often contributed by a large number of content creators with varying levels of technical expertise. The Penn State University Libraries site contains almost 10,000 pages contributed by over 200 content creators from all areas of the Libraries.

Methodology/approach

In October 2011, in response to a complaint filed against Penn State by the National Federation of the Blind, the University Libraries agreed to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA within a year to ensure that the web site would be accessible to all Libraries’ users.

Findings

This chapter describes how the Libraries developed a remediation plan; engaged content authors in the Libraries’ accessibility effort; implemented new content roles and workflow to ensure web accessibility and how they continue to actively measure and maintain the accessibility of web site content.

Originality/value

This chapter will be useful to Libraries committed to making their web content accessible to all users.

Citation

Lush, B. (2015), "Managing Accessible Library Web Content", Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities and the Inclusive Future of Libraries (Advances in Librarianship, Vol. 40), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 169-189. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0065-283020150000040017