Accessibility and LibGuides in Academic Libraries

Abstract

This article outlines an exploratory case study to determine how to best serve functionally diverse patrons in a digital landscape through usable and accessible LibGuides at the University of Mississippi Libraries. The literature was reviewed to explore what best practices are implemented when crafting accessible LibGuides. A best practices LibGuide was then created as a resource for librarians to utilize in creating accessible and usable guides. A small sample of the most viewed LibGuides from the University of Mississippi Libraries was then evaluated for accessibility with WebAIM’s WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tool along with a manual rubric created by Stitz and Blundell (2018). This article builds upon the literature concerning LibGuide accessibility and usability. Further research is recommended to include a wider range of LibGuides and creators, a deeper look into overall accessibility issues that are trending, the voices of those who identify as functionally diverse, and to partner with community stakeholders who could add to these findings.