Creating Accessible and Visually Consistent LibGuides

Making hypertext links accessible is one of the most basic and most important aspects of web accessibility.

Links are an essential component of creating accessible and user-friendly guides. Properly managed links improve navigation, enhance accessibility, and ensure users can easily access relevant resources.

• Use Add / Reorder Bar: Whenever possible, use and reuse link assets (via the Add / Reorder dropdown bar) instead of using the link tool in the rich text editor or manually adding links in HTML. This allows us to automatically check for broken links in all guides and update link assets everywhere at once.
• Use Contextual Link Text: Avoid generic phrases like "Click here" or "Read more." Use descriptive link text that provides context, e.g., "Learn more about APA citation guidelines" instead of "Click here."
• Check for Broken Links: Regularly test all links to ensure they lead to the correct and active pages. Remove or update links that are broken or lead to outdated content.
• Avoid Overloading Pages with Links: Limit the number of links on a single page to avoid overwhelming users. Organize links into categories or sections for easier navigation.

Examples of Effective Links:

• "View our guide to library resources for biomedical engineering students."
• "Access the WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure strong color contrast."

Web content changes frequently so it’s important to regularly check that the resources you are linking to still exist. Check that all the links within your guides work and go to the correct pages. You can check links manually or use a free link-checking service like W3C Link Checker.

LibGuide Help Center Resources:

• How the link checker works
  The link checker provides you with a report of broken links.
• Editing broken links in the link checker
  Edit an asset and modify the broken link.