Making Library Websites Accessible: A Practical Guide for Librarians

by Laura Francabandera

Overview

Every person has the right to access information and the right to succeed, regardless of their capabilities or the challenges they face. These challenges can be even more difficult when accessing information online. Libraries often adopt new web technologies in an effort to quickly and widely promote information access and education, but they must always be aware that not all patrons are able to access those technologies in the same manner and at the same level.

Making Library Websites Accessible provides practical information on web accessibility, specific to the processes and concerns of libraries. It includes the basics of web accessibility standards, laws and regulations, as well as accessibility testing templates.

Features include:

• Real-life scenarios
• Checklists for accessibility testing
• Accessibility testing forms
• Guidelines for negotiations with library vendors

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538108239
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/25/2018
Series:	Practical Guides for Librarians , #43
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	166
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Laura Francabandera spent a decade in corporate management before receiving her Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. She telecommutes from her home office as a Learning Systems Technologist for Credo Education (Boston, MA) - implementing e-learning content into a variety of Learning Management Systems in libraries and educational institutions. She passionately advocates for those who are often overlooked and for accessibility in all facets of technology.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Basics of Accessibility
Chapter 2. Visual Disabilities and Assistive Technologies
Chapter 3. Auditory Disabilities and Assistive Technologies
Chapter 4. Cognitive Disabilities and Assistive Technologies
Chapter 5. Motor Disabilities and Assistive Technology
Chapter 6. The Digital Divide
Chapter 7. Laws, Organizations, and Standards
Chapter 8. Writing Content with Accessibility in Mind
Chapter 9. Building an Accessible Website
Chapter 10. How to Conduct Accessibility Testing
Chapter 11. Third-Party and Library Vendor Websites
Chapter 12. Beyond Accessibility
Appendix 1. Sample Accessibility Testing Process
Appendix 2. Accessibility Testing Report

Editorial Reviews

10/15/2018
Intended by Francabandera (learning systems technology, Credo Education) to be a reference for professionals, this work briefly but competently covers auditory, visual, cognitive, motor, and social disabilities; the assistive technologies used by those who are disabled; and best practices for website development. Information on how to advocate with third-party vendors is particularly helpful, as many library resources are not home grown. There are only a few snippets of code in a section on HTML, so web development knowledge is not essential. The brevity of the discussion on ethics weakens the author's assertion that all librarians have an affirmative duty to provide all patrons, able or otherwise, with equitable access to digital resources and could have been omitted without undermining the overall utility of the resource. Lastly, some readers may balk at the inclusion of impoverished patrons, non-English speaking patrons, and those who live in rural environments as being "socially challenged" or "disabled." VERDICT Useful as a starting point for library staff involved in website development and e-resources, as well as those who want to advocate for all of their patrons.—Evan M. Anderson, Kirkendall P.L., Ankeny, IA

Library Journal

Making Library Websites Accessible gives valuable practical advice with real-life scenarios to help librarians understand and address the range of challenges experienced by disabled patrons when accessing information online. The emphasis is on understanding accessibility from the perspective of the disabled patron, while reminding librarians that all patrons are individuals.

Richard Milne

As with other titles in the Practical Guides for Librarians series, Making Library Websites Accessible is a timely, easy-to-read manual offering no-nonsense, practical advice in the context of actual scenarios. It belongs on the professional bookshelf of any librarian needing to understand and address the range of challenges faced by disabled patrons accessing information.

Online Searcher

A down-to-earth, practical, and timely reference book on accessibility. The importance of understanding diversity underlines each chapter as real-world scenarios and thought provoking hypothetical situations are realistically drawn out. If you work with diverse populations and are challenged with maintaining and curating information online, you'll need this book close at hand.

Zemirah Gonzales-Lee

Packed full of practical and common sense tips and hints on building more accessible library websites, this should become a ‘go to’ guide for both experienced and early career librarians.

Heather Bain