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US Public Sector

Website Accessibility for Libraries in the United States

Public libraries exist to provide knowledge, resources, and community connection for everyone. Given the broad and diverse range of people libraries serve, ensuring digital access for all visitors is not just good practice, it is a core part of the library’s mission.

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Recite Me partners with public libraries, library systems, and library networks across the United States to support the creation of more accessible and inclusive digital experiences.

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Regulatory Framework

US Accessibility Regulations for Libraries

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to all libraries and requires websites and digital content to comply with WCAG 2.2 Level AA. Specifically, libraries in the United States must:

Comply with the WCAG 2.2 AA Standards

Every website or piece of digital content produced by libraries must comply with WCAG 2.2 level AA. This is a fundamental requirement for ADA compliance.

Find and Fix Non-Compliant Content

Libraries in the US should actively work to find and fix non-compliant content. This ensures that people with disabilities can access online services and products.

Publish an Accessibility Statement

Accessibility statements are a fundamental part of evidencing accessibility improvements and scheduled remediation.

Establish Ongoing Accessibility Oversight

Libraries should implement regular reviews, testing, staff training, and documented improvement plans to maintain accessible digital services over time.

Prepare for Accessibility Reviews and Compliance Inquiries

Public libraries may be subject to compliance investigations under the ADA. Maintaining records of accessibility remediation activities helps demonstrate a proactive commitment to equitable access.

Offer Accessible Alternatives When Barriers Exist

If a digital resource or service cannot be made fully accessible immediately, libraries should provide alternative methods for accessing information using services.

How We Help

Accessibility Challenges for Libraries that Recite Me can Resolve

For public libraries and library organisations, several accessibility considerations require ongoing attention. Here’s how Recite Me solutions can help:

Library websites and digital resources are used by people with a wide range of access needs. Without appropriate accessibility features, some visitors may encounter barriers when accessing library catalogues, online resources, events, and services. The Recite Me Assistive Toolbar provides a range of support tools, including screen reading functionality, language translation, and customisable display settings to create a more inclusive online experience.

As libraries work towards meeting accessibility standards and ADA requirements, identifying and prioritising improvements can be challenging. The Recite Me Website Accessibility Checker automatically scans your website to detect accessibility barriers and provide actionable recommendations. In addition, our accessibility specialists can support manual testing, detailed audits, and internal reviews to help strengthen accessibility across your digital estate.

Libraries are increasingly expected to demonstrate that their digital services are accessible and inclusive. When accessibility concerns are raised by visitors, staff, or advocacy groups, it is important to respond quickly and effectively. Recite Me can help investigate reported barriers, provide expert guidance, and develop a practical remediation roadmap to improve accessibility and reduce compliance risk.

Many libraries publish a large number of downloadable documents, including policies, guides, reports, newsletters, and programme materials. Ensuring these files are accessible can be a significant undertaking. The Recite Me PDF Accessibility Checker and Remediation Tool helps libraries identify accessibility issues within documents and address them efficiently across large document collections.

Transparency is an important part of maintaining accessible digital services. Libraries should regularly review and update their accessibility statements to reflect testing activities, identified barriers, completed improvements, and future priorities. Recite Me’s suite of accessibility tools, expert consultancy services, and accessibility statement resources can help libraries track progress, maintain documentation, and demonstrate their commitment to digital inclusion.

Across Your Organization

Key Roles Recite Me Supports Across Libraries

In libraries, creating and maintaining accessible digital services requires collaboration across multiple teams. Recite Me supports the teams who are responsible for different parts of that work.

Digital, IT and Web

Recite Me equips library technology and digital services teams with the tools needed to improve accessibility across websites and digital member services.

Features including automated accessibility scanning, issue prioritisation, remediation guidance, progress reporting, and ongoing monitoring help libraries build and maintain accessible digital experiences.

Compliance & Governance

Recite Me helps libraries work towards accessibility requirements and recognised standards, including WCAG and ADA obligations.

Accessibility activity can be tracked and documented to support internal reporting, strategic planning, accessibility statements, and responses to compliance enquiries or reviews.

Marketing & Communications

Recite Me supports library communications and engagement teams in making digital content more accessible to diverse communities.

Tools such as language translation, reading support, document solutions, and customisable website features help ensure library information, programmes, and resources can be accessed by more people.

Our Solutions

Recite Me Accessibility Solutions for the Library Sector

Recite Me is a digital accessibility platform offering a range of solutions that help libraries make digital services more inclusive and accessible. Key solutions include:

INCLUSION

Assistive Toolbar

  • Text-to-speech with over 65 voices
  • Translation software with over 100 languages
  • Styling changes for colors and fonts
  • Focus tools, such as rulers and screen masks
  • Reading aids, such as dictionaries, page summarizers, and magnifiers

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COMPLIANCE

Web Accessibility Checker

  • Full site scanning for WCAG 2.2 violations
  • Prioritized list of accessibility fixes
  • AI-powered autofixes, code suggestions, and image alt text generation
  • Schedule future audits for long-term compliance
  • Integration with project management tools like Jira and Azure DevOps

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DOCUMENTS

PDF Accessibility Checker

  • Full website scanning to identify inaccessible documents
  • Implement AI-powered autofixes to resolve accessibility issues
  • Remediate PDF files at scale
  • Track progress and schedule future scans
  • Compliance with accessibility standards like ADA & ACA

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Customers

Organizations We Work With

Recite Me works with library organizations across the US, helping them achieve ADA and accessibility compliance.

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  • Kara Lustiber
  • Treasurer, Ulster County Library Association

Download the Library Accessibility Guide

Learn more about how to make your US library website accessible for residents.

Resolving digital barriers

Website build tips

How Recite Me helps

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Library Accessibility FAQs

US libraries should align their websites and digital services with WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 Level AA standards. These guidelines are widely recognised as the benchmark for creating accessible online experiences.

Yes, PDFs and other downloadable documents should be accessible to people using assistive technologies. Inaccessible documents can create barriers to accessing library information, services, policies, and resources.

No, an accessibility statement demonstrates transparency and commitment, but it does not guarantee compliance. Libraries must also test, maintain, and continuously improve the accessibility of digital services.

No, accessibility tools can support inclusion and improve the user experience, but they do not replace accessibility audits, remediation work, staff training, or ongoing compliance responsibilities.

Accessibility should be reviewed continuously. Libraries should conduct regular testing, monitor new content and features, address identified barriers, and update accessibility documentation as digital services evolve.

Yes, public libraries are generally covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and must provide equal access to services, programmes, and digital resources for people with disabilities.

The US Department of Justice enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act. Libraries may also receive accessibility complaints, legal challenges, or requests to address barriers within digital services.