Library trustees back updated social-media policy emphasizing accessibility tools such as Recite Me

Trustees discussed and moved to adopt updates to the library’s online communications policy to make social-media posts more accessible to users with visual, hearing and language needs.

During the policy committee report S4 described the library website’s existing translation and accessibility tools, including the Recite Me service. Committee members recommended adding explicit language to the social-media policy requiring alt text on photos and describing translation access so that the library’s posts are accessible across platforms.

S4 told trustees municipalities with populations over 50,000 will face an April compliance deadline and that remaining municipalities will be required to comply by April 2027; trustees agreed to include accessibility requirements in their posting policy to stay ahead of those requirements. S1 moved to conduct the revised policy for online communications and S4 seconded; the motion was progressed for formal adoption steps.

Board members asked staff to align posting practices across platforms, ensure alt tags are added for images, and to clarify where Recite Me links will be placed so users see translation options and assistive functionality. S6 noted that a joint village grant has funded Recite Me for the last two to three years and that funding may run out in December, and S5 offered to forward a contact for Recite Me to staff.

The trustees did not amend the policy text at length during the meeting and referred line-by-line adoption to the next meeting packet for final approval.