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Audit Report
Lakewood Public Library - Madison Branch

Prepared by:
LANECIA SMITH
LIS60608
SPRING 2019
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Photo courtesy of Yomex Owo Unsplash

PROBLEM STATEMENT
The first step to creating an effective project plan is to set a statement of the problem.
The is the foundation on which the elements of this project will be built on. When we talk
about accessibility of library space we are referring to the ways in which our libraries
provide a connection between information and the user. When we talk about library
accessibility we may think about "converting print materials into accessible files, testing
databases for usability, and applying principles of universal design to services, spaces,
and instruction" (Rosen, 2018). We think about the ability to reach a diverse body of
patrons that identify with the community we strive to serve. Resources such as the
American Disabilities Act and W3 standards are often utilized to determine our
effectiveness in this realm of library services.

KEY OBJECTIVES
For this project I seek to provide accessibility information for the Lakewood Public
Library Madison branch. As you know, this local library is home to the residents of
Lakewood Ohio as well as surrounding areas. I would like to review the areas of
accessibility in the library's website design as well as the digital and physical collections.
In reviewing the compliance of the website design I will look into ADA and W3 standards
as well as the accessibility of the online catalog. In reviewing collections, I hope to look
into the ways material is available to a diverse body of patrons. To assist with this task I
will be using the Library Acessibility toolkit and Project Enable resources. My focus will
inlcude children's material as well as adult material.
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Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

WEBSITE FINDINGS
Using the WAVE accessibility evaluation tool, I discovered that there were 28 errors, 16 alerts,
190 features, 467 structural elements, 15 contrasting errors, and 46 HTML and ARIA contained
in the Home page of the website. The 15 instances of contrast errors stems from low contrast
colors associated with the background colors and the foreground. According to the
documentation tab of the WAVE results, "adequate contrast is necessary for all users, especially
users with low vision" (http://wave.webaim.org).

These errors should be revised to avoid violating Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The Act states, "In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal
agencies to make their electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with
disabilities" (IT Accessibility Laws and Policies, 2018). According to the American Library
Association, one major category of those with disabilities include, "Visual -- Blindness, low
vision, color-blindness" (Library Service to Persons with Disabilities: Web Accessibility
Guidelines, 2019). Staff at the Madison were unaware of how often technology software
received updates. The department which is most responsible for this information was not
available during the hours visited. However, staff were very aware of promotional programs
which occurred monthly as posted on the website.
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COLLECTIONS
FINDINGS
Lakewood Public Library contains several options
for users interested in e-material. Hoopla, Ohio
digital, TumbleBooks, and Tumble Math are all
platforms that provide access to diverse collection
of material for various user groups. Inter-library
loan services are also very helpful in the
accessibility of materials. Accessible collections of
all genres and types are placed on display in various
areas of the library which is convenient for the
diverse population of users. Homebound services
offer users with disabilities access to all materials
by delivery. Staff were aware of these services and
also pointed out the large print adult materials
available at the Madison location. A diverse
collection of materials of all genres are available to
all patrons who visit the Madison branch.
Collections vary in genre in the areas of non-fiction
and fiction. Adult and children's material were
comprised of various types of material and offered a
diverse collection of material. Although there was a
limited amount of material available for children in
the non-fiction section. Most of this material
focused on a small amount of subjects. There were
no large print materials located in the children's
collection of materials. E-material is available in
large print for, but this is not accessible for users
without the internet. Overall, the collections at the
Madison branch complied with Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in the adult sections.
However, the children's collection of materials did
not quite agree with these expectations. Staff
update collections monthly according to the
distribution of new material.
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NEXT STEP RECCOMENDATIONS

A list of improvements and expected outcomes

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

This part of the audit plan determines the next-step recommendations for the
Madison Branch library accessibility in website design and collection development
The recommendations are as follows:
Apply recommended contrast to Create a timeline for improvement of
problem areas of Lakewood Public website and collections.
Library website. Further diversify and implement
Inform all staff regarding the update material for children with disabilities
time and occurrence of the library in the collection of children's
website. material.
Inform staff and website developers Broaden subject department area of
of complying with regulations of children's collection to meet the
section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act regulations of Section 508 of the
of 1973. Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
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REFERENCES
Beautiful Free Images & Pictures | Unsplash. (2019). Retrieved from

https://unsplash.com/

IT Accessibility Laws and Policies | Section508.gov. (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.section508.gov/manage/laws-and-policies

Lakewood Public Library. (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.lakewoodpubliclibrary.org/

Lakewood Public Library | www.smartculturesource.org - after-school, weekend

and summer programs and activities for students and children in Cleveland. (2019).

Retrieved from

http://www.smartculturesource.org/hostorganizationprofile/lakewood-public-

library

LibGuides: Library Service to Persons with Disabilities: Web Accessibility

Guidelines. (2019). Retrieved from http://libguides.ala.org/libservice-

disability/web-accessibility

Rosen, S. (2018). What does a library accessibility specialist do? How a new role

advances accessibility through education and advocacy. College & Research

Libraries News, 79(1), 23.

Tools & Resources – ASGCLA Direct. (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.asgcladirect.org/resources/

"The mission of Lakewood Public Library is to serve people of all

ages, circumstances and interests by selecting, organizing,
preserving and making widely accessible the records of human
experience, knowledge, ideas, information, insight and values."
-http://www.smartculturesource.org