Policies and Standards for the Wisconsin Library Association Web Site
Approved by the WLA Board of Directors 4/11/03
Purpose of the WLA Web Site
The WLA web site is a place to access official WLA information and to disseminate information to WLA members and the communities they serve.
Authentication and Reliability of Information Content
Official information on the web requires the same scrupulous attention as does print publication. If the online document is not considered to be the official version there must be an explicit disclaimer on the page, such as "The paper version of this document is considered to be the official version. See the WLA office for a copy."
WLA Units managing web pages are responsible for the content of their respective pages and should take care to authenticate HTML links on an ongoing basis to ensure the links are working properly.
Obtaining a Unit Web Page and Server Access
Any WLA unit is eligible for a web page and server access. Each unit chair is responsibile for the content and upkeep of the web page(s) within the context of the WLA web policies and standards, and should identify a contact person in the unit who is authorized to maintain the web page(s). Each unit chair is required to submit this information to the WLA Webmaster each year or when necessary.
WLA information must be maintained on the WLA web server.
Design Standards
WLA tries to maintain an image that best represents the Association. For the image to be effective and recognizable it must be presented consistently and across all media. To make the WLA web site easily identifiable to users, certain elements should consistently appear on all pages. Web pages should be created by using one of the predesigned templates. Web authors should select from the options available from the Design Library located at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/designlibrary/ and use it consistently throughout the site. By using a web template the page will be in compliance with the required design elements.
1. WLA identifiers
Web pages should have the WLA logo on the top of each page and a WLA copyright statement on the bottom of each page. It is imperative that users can readily recognize that they are in the Wisconsin Library Association web site. Since people do not always enter the site from the main page and may come in from external sources, all pages must be easily identified as a product of WLA and are required to display the WLA logo on each page.
2. Web page identifiers
Each web page should identify the unit and/or individual who is responsible for its information content. The purpose of the page should be stated explicitly, concisely and clearly. In short, each page should be explicit about what it is, who is responsible for it, and should maintain a high degree of accuracy.
3. Contact information
Provide a means to contact the unit or individual via e-mail, phone numbers or online feedback form. This allows users to contact the unit for questions, clarification or feedback.
4. Currency
Update web pages as often as warranted and include the modified date at the bottom of each page. For pages that do not require annual changes, the pages should be reviewed at least annually and a reviewed date included on the page. This will give users a level of confidence in the information provided.
5. Animated graphics, moving images and text.
Animated graphics, moving banners, or the "blink" tag should not be used. Some users are unable to see these elements; they annoy a great many users and often present an unprofessional appearance to the pages that use them.
6. Background and text colors
For large areas of text the background should be white and text black. Limited use of background and text colors is allowed provided they meet the accessibility policy.
7. Link colors
Text links should be blue (hex # 0000ff) and visited links should be purple (hex # 660066). Text links that are clearly part of a navigation component on the page do not need to be underlined but links within a body of text must be underlined. Web developers who feel they need an exception to this rule, due to unusual circumstances, must discuss their issue with the WLA Webmaster.
8. Text fonts and size
For large areas of text the font should be Times New Roman or Arial and the text size 10pt or 12 pt should be used. These fonts are on all computers and 10 or 12 pt text provides ease of readability for most users. Other fonts or sizes may be used for elements such as headings and navigation links. Please keep in mind when selecting other fonts that some users may not have the font you select and will see your page in their default font (usually Times New Roman or Arial). To emphasize text use bold, italic, or header elements rather than underlining, which can be mistaken for a link.
9. Web editors
Web editors of choice are FrontPage and Dreamweaver. Standardizing the use of editors makes the design and maintenance of web pages across the site easier. Multiple people using the same editor can make changes to web pages without causing format discrepancies making it easier for people to assist each other with web pages. Do not use Microsoft Word to create web pages.
Design Standards - Navigation Elements
To facilitate effective and efficient access to WLA web information, navigation elements should be incorporated in the design of the web pages. This will help users identify sources of information, move around within the site, and save time. Incorporating the following navigational elements will make the overall web site easier to use and will help to improve the inter-connectivity of the various web pages. All WLA unit pages should conform to the Design Standards listed in this policy. Conference pages may reflect the theme of the conference, but must have "Wisconsin Library Assocation" or "WLA" prominently displayed.
1. Link to the WLA main page and other relevant pages.
All web pages must have a link to the WLA main page. Each web page should have a link to the main unit page for the unit responsible for content.
2. Verification of links.
Each web author is responsible for verifying links to other Internet sources. The links should be checked periodically to ensure they are working so as to reduce frustration on the part of users.
3. File size
A single page should be no more than 60KB in size. Typical pages should be about 30K. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the WLA Webmaster.
4. Graphics consideration.
Images on pages should be no larger than 50K. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the WLA Webmaster. Large graphics slow down the navigation process. Web designers should test graphics to ensure that most users can load the web page relatively quickly or warn the user about the size of the graphic/image and provide a "text only" option.
5. Frames
Web pages should not use frames. Pages using frames cannot be indexed and therefore are not searchable by most search engines. Frames also make web pages more difficult to access for those using assistive and other technologies.
6. Page Titles
Each web page should have a descriptive title that includes WLA, the name of the originating unit and keywords indicating the type of content to be found on the page. This will greatly improve the search capability of search engines.
7. Duplication of information
Web authors should link to information not originating from your unit rather than duplicating information whenever possible. This will help ensure that users will see the most current information. Examples include the membership form and legislative agendas.
8. Check Work
All information should be complete, accurate, and proof read. Check all work on a variety of web broswers and platforms before posting it to the web to maximize accessibility.
Accessibility Standards
WLA is committed to making all Association information available to the widest possible audience. To accomplish this, the following accessibility elements should be incorporated into all web pages housed on the WLA web server. Doing so will allow users with disabilities web access to information as well as users with older browsers, handheld devices, and other technologies.
1. Provide a text equivalent (ALT-tag) for every non-text element. This includes: images, graphical representations of text (including symbols), image map regions, animations (e.g., animated GIFs), applets and programmatic objects, frames, scripts, images used as list bullets, spacers, graphical buttons, audio and video.
2. Ensure that all information conveyed with color is also available without color, for example from context or markup.
3. Ensure that foreground and background color combinations provide sufficient contrast when viewed by someone having color deficits or when viewed on a black and white screen.
4. Use style sheets to control format and presentation of text, but organize documents so they may be read without style sheets.
5. Use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site's content.
6. Client-side image maps are preferred. If server-side image maps are used redundant text links for each active region of a server-side image map must be provided.
7. For data tables, identify row and column headers. For data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers, use markup to associate data cells and header cells.
8. Ensure that pages are usable when client-side scripts, applets, or other programmatic objects are turned off or not supported. If this is not possible, provide equivalent information on an alternative accessible page.
9. Until user agents can automatically read aloud the text equivalent of a visual track, provide an auditory description of the important information of the visual track of a multimedia presentation.
10. If, after best efforts, you cannot create an accessible page, provide a link to an alternative page that uses W3C technologies, is accessible, has equivalent information (or functionality), and is updated as often as the inaccessible (original) page.
In Support of This Policy
Web policy will be enforced by the WLA Webmaster for any page. Pages that do not meet the policies and standards will be removed from the web server until they comply. Those who need assistance in complying should contact the WLA Webmaster.
Resolution of Policy Disputes
Disputes on issues or interpretation of policy will be resolved by the WLA Board of Directors