Project Overview
The Patmos Library website is now fully compliant and modernized to meet the needs of all users. When the library received an accessibility complaint from a community member, they took immediate action to align their website with WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Section 508 standards. Recognizing the importance of accessibility for all patrons, the library aimed to create a digital presence that mirrored their welcoming, accessible physical environment.
Partnering with LocalHop, Patmos Library successfully revamped their website with accessibility as a key focus. The project was led by Project Manager Courtney Bordeaux and was completed in January 2025. Their goal was not only compliance but also to ensure their digital presence reflected the same welcoming, accessible environment they offer in person.
Centering Accessibility and Compliance
The most important outcome of this project was ensuring the website met key accessibility standards. This was critical not only in response to the formal complaint but also in support of the library’s broader mission: creating equitable access to information and resources for every patron.
The website now complies with WCAG Level AA and Section 508 requirements, creating an accessible and sustainable digital space. The team conducted a thorough accessibility audit using the ANDI Accessibility Testing Tool and a custom internal audit spreadsheet. This comprehensive review identified areas needing improvement, such as color contrast, form labels, and screen reader compatibility.
Updates were implemented across the entire site, focusing on usability and inclusion. Specific changes included enhancing color contrast, adding proper form labels, and improving screen reader compatibility.
A Fresh Identity with Function in Mind
The library’s new digital identity reflects its core values and commitment to serving every community member. Alongside the accessibility work, the project included a logo refresh and new brand guidelines. These visual updates were designed with accessibility standards in mind, ensuring that fonts, color palettes, and layout choices supported legibility and clarity.
The updated brand was applied across the new website, which included a clean content migration into a user-friendly CMS. Page templates were customized to support accessible design best practices, giving the Patmos Library team the tools to confidently manage their website moving forward.
Collaborative Problem-Solving and Practical Improvements
The library team gained confidence in managing accessibility internally, strengthening our processes and ensuring consistency, particularly with content updates, PDFs, and image tagging, which was a key challenge. Many of the requirements were new or unfamiliar to staff, and the guidelines could feel overwhelming at times. To support this, the LocalHop team provided one-on-one meetings, customized training sessions, and practical documentation.
Enhancements were made to the internal website theme, Sculpture, to better support accessible development. Updates included keyboard navigation compatibility, improved labeling across all elements, and default alt-text generation based on image titles.
Results and Long-Term Impact
The library now has a fully accessible online platform that supports all patrons, including those using assistive technologies. With the new site launched, key issues from the previous version—such as color contrast problems, missing accessibility labels, and lack of screen reader support—were resolved. The project also addressed the original complaint and met compliance requirements in collaboration with a civil rights attorney. The improvements have led to a smoother, more inclusive online experience.
Internally, this project led us to formalize accessibility auditing as part of our core website process. It was also the first time we addressed PDF accessibility with the same level of focus as the rest of the site—an important step we’ve now adopted as a standard practice.
Key Takeaways
LocalHop empowered Patmos Library to maintain compliance standards well into the future. The project reaffirmed that accessibility is not just a technical requirement but a core part of creating equitable, user-centered digital experiences. For public institutions, especially libraries, accessible design is essential to reaching all members of the community.
Our biggest takeaway? Achieving compliance standards demands partnership, patience, and planning. Through clear training, robust tools, and user-friendly templates, we empowered Patmos Library to meet and sustain today’s standards.
