AX/4E titleiichecklist.com
The free ADA Title II web accessibility checklist

FREE TITLE II READINESS QUIZ · LIBRARIES

Could this happen at your public library?

A patron can't place a hold, renew a book, use a research database, or borrow an e-book because the catalog or vendor app isn't accessible. The ADA Title II web rule covers your website, your catalog, and the digital collections you license. Five scenarios show where you stand. Library districts have until April 26, 2028.

April 26, 2027Large public entities (population 50,000 or more)
April 26, 2028Small entities and special district governments
WCAG 2.1 AAThe required standard for web content and mobile apps

An independent library district is a special district government: April 26, 2028. A library operated by a city or county follows that jurisdiction's deadline.

Could this happen to us? Take the quiz Get the full checklist

QCould this happen to us? The 5-scenario quiz

Two minutes, no email required. Each scenario is real and each has an easy next step. "Not sure" counts as no, because if you're not sure, nobody owns it yet.

1. Can patrons search the catalog, place holds, and manage their account on your site?

What if: A patron using a screen reader can't search the catalog or see whether a book is available, so the collection is closed to them.

Why it matters: The catalog and patron account are the front door of the library; if they fail, everything behind them is unreachable.

2. Could someone place a hold and renew an item start to finish with a keyboard?

What if: A patron using a keyboard gets stuck mid-checkout and the item they wanted goes to the next person in line.

Why it matters: Keyboard access is a baseline of WCAG 2.1 AA and quickly reveals where your catalog flows break.

3. Are your e-book, database, and digital-collection vendors accessible?

What if: A student relies on your research databases for an assignment, but the platform doesn't work with their assistive technology.

Why it matters: Licensed platforms you provide are content under your control; their accessibility is your responsibility under the rule.

4. Do your event flyers, newsletters, and program PDFs work with assistive technology?

What if: A patron can't read the story-time flyer or sign up for a program because the PDF is an image with no real text.

Why it matters: Program documents people use to attend or register are current-use content the document exception doesn't cover.

5. Does your library have an accessibility statement, an owner, and a plan?

What if: A patron hits a barrier and has no one to contact and no other way to get the item or service they need.

Why it matters: Equal access is already the library's mission; a statement and an owner make it real online.

What counts as library web content?

Your website, the online catalog and patron account, e-book and audiobook apps, research databases, room-booking and program-registration forms, event flyers and newsletters, digital collections, social posts, and the PDFs linked from all of them.

The library-specific traps

Integrated library systems with poor screen-reader support; third-party e-book and database platforms that fail assistive technology; image-only event flyers; and digitized documents posted without real text.

What's the easy next step?

You don't need to fix everything this month. You need a list, an owner, and a start. The free checklist gives you all three: 5 plain-language items for whoever runs the office, 10 technical items for whoever runs the website.

Get your Title II checklist Start with a simple readiness review

Powered by AX4E — practical accessibility help for websites, documents, forms, and public communication.

Questions people ask

Are public libraries covered by the Title II web rule?

Yes. Public libraries and library districts are Title II public entities. A library district is a special district government with an April 26, 2028 deadline; a library run by a city or county follows that jurisdiction's deadline.

Our catalog and databases are vendor platforms. Are we responsible?

Yes. The integrated library system, e-book apps, and research databases you provide are content under your control. Request conformance reports and add WCAG 2.1 AA to renewals.

Do digital archives and special collections have to be accessible?

Truly archived content can fall under the archive exception, but anything patrons currently use to access services is covered. When in doubt, prioritize the materials people use most.

More readiness quizzes: Schools · Cities · Parks · Transit · PDFs · Forms.