Quick Summary:
- We're updating the templates you use to create items in LibraryAware to meet accessibility requirements by April 2026, making your library marketing more inclusive and effective.
- Accessible design enhances usability for everyone, not just individuals with disabilities, through clearer layouts, improved readability, and increased engagement.
- Libraries must prepare now by auditing their promotional items, adding alternative text for images, and using accessible design practices to ensure compliance and better patron experiences.
At NoveList, we believe accessibility isn’t just about compliance. It’s about inclusion, equity, and better design for everyone. We're committed to making information accessible to all.
That’s why we’re updating the templates you use to create items in LibraryAware to meet accessibility requirements that go into effect in April 2026. These updates will improve the experience for your patrons and community members, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies, to interact with your promotional materials. The updates will impact emails, newsletters, PDFs, opt-in pages, and book carousels.
And this work is a bonus for all the community members who interact with your library’s promotional material.
Why Accessibility Equals Better Design
Accessibility features like alternative (alt) text, semantic headers, and color contrast aren’t just for patrons with disabilities. They make your emails easier to scan, your social media posts more readable, and your flyers more visually appealing. Accessibility is good design.
In fact, accessible marketing often performs better. Clear headings improve readability. High-contrast colors boost visibility. Alt text makes your content discoverable and inclusive. These aren’t just technical tweaks. They’re enhancements that benefit all your patrons.
What’s Changing in LibraryAware
We’re auditing and updating thousands of templates to ensure they meet accessibility standards. That includes:
- Semantic headers for screen reader compatibility
- Alternative text for images (including automatic alt text for book and AV records)
- Keyboard navigation improvements
- Guidance for libraries on making their own promotional content accessible
Your Role in Creating Accessible Promotional Items
LibraryAware will provide accessible templates, but customers still need to take steps to ensure their content meets accessibility requirements. That includes:
- Adding alt text to images you upload to LibraryAware
- Using the right types of headings in the correct order
- Choosing readable fonts and spacing
- Avoiding low-contrast color combinations
This is especially true for items you have created in the past and still use. Those items will not be updated by the LibraryAware team.
This is a lot, I know. We’ll be here to support you. We’ve created a page with all the updates on accessibility in LibraryAware. In the coming months, we’ll be emailing all LibraryAware customers with instructions on how to update book carousels and opt-in pages. And we’ve scheduled live monthly office hours where you can learn about the updates and ask questions of the LibraryAware team. The first session is tomorrow! Sign up for as many of these office hours as you want.
Remember, accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement — it’s a chance to make your library promotions more inclusive, more effective, and more welcoming. Because when we design for everyone, everyone benefits.
Angela Hursh is Manager of Library Marketing Content and Services for NoveList. She is reading My Friends by Fredrik Backman.
