This accessibility statement applies to content on the https://southampton.on.worldcat.org domain.
This website is run by the University of Southampton.
Library Search is the University of Southampton’s online library resource searching platform. It uses the software, WorldCat Discovery. This is managed by the Library and Learning Services and developed and hosted by OCLC.
We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
Please contact Library and Learning Services if you have an accessibility query including:
For more information on accessible library services, please view our accessibility and support pages.
If accessibility problems are stopping you from using Library Search, please contact for support. Contact us by email libenqs@soton.ac.uk, Live Chat or call in to one of our libraries during staffed hours.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you are not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
The University of Southampton Library and Learning Services is committed to making its websites accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018).
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
The 'Search' placeholder text in the search bar does not have sufficient colour contrast, meaning some people will not be able to read it. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (contrast minimum). The search placeholder text appears on our search home page, search results pages and item details pages. We plan to fix this by August 2024.
When the search results page is at 400% zoom, some elements overlap and are harder to see. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.10 (reflow). We plan to fix this by January 2025.
When the search results page is at 400% zoom, horizontal and vertical scroll bars are required to view some of the content. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.10 (reflow). We plan to fix this by January 2025.
Users of screen readers will find some pages hard to use because:
Some element IDs are not unique
Some content is not included in an appropriate landmark
Some pages have an illogical heading structure
Some IDs are not unique
Some HTML is used to format content
Some ARIA attributes have incorrect reference IDs
Some aria roles are a poor match for content.
This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.3.1 (info and relationships).
On some pages ARIA references are incorrect or WAI-ARIA labels are redundant. This will make it harder to navigate these pages using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content).
Some page elements receive focus in a confusing order, making navigating the page more difficult. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.3 (focus order).
The focus is barely visible on the current page number of the search results pages. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.7 (focus visible). We plan to fix this by January 2025.
The keyboard focus is missing or barely visible on some form elements. This makes navigating the form harder as users are unable to see which element has focus. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.7 (focus visible).
Some of our less visited pages are using an older template. These include the Advanced Search, A-Z eJournal browse, Saved Items and Saved Lists pages and Place Hold form. These ‘legacy’ pages are non-compliant in the following areas.
The keyboard focus is missing or barely visible for some elements of our Advanced search page. This makes navigating the page harder as users are unable to see which element has focus. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.7 (focus visible). We plan to fix this by October 2024.
When the Advanced search page is at 200% zoom, some of the links in the Library links menu on the navigation bar are no longer visible. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.4 (resize text). We plan to fix this by October 2024.
When the Advanced search page is at 400% zoom, most of the header links are no longer visible. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.10 (reflow). We plan to fix this by October 2024.
In mobile view, the Advanced search page does not always show all of the header links. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.10 (reflow). We plan to fix this by October 2024.
There are two hidden elements on the Advanced search page that receive focus. This creates confusion when navigating the page by keyboard or using a screen reader. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 4.1.2 (name, role, value). We plan to fix this by October 2024.
The University of Southampton has conducted a Disproportionate Burden Assessment, dated 12th July 2025. That assessment indicates that it is not possible to complete remedial action before the end of January 2025. This is because the work must be completed by a by a third-party provider, OCLC, who cannot meet that timescale.
It is also not possible to swap to a new provider because:
(1) This is an expensive asset for which the Library and Learning Service did not expect to replace and has not placed in business planning.
(2) Public Sector Procurement Regulations mean that it would not be possible to procure a new asset in a timely manner.
(3) There is a limited market for the asset and other systems are also not fully compliant with WCAG 2.1AA.
(4) The technical complexity in replacing the asset means that implementation could not take place in a timely manner. Negotiations by the University of Southampton with OCLC have resulted in an eleven-month reduction in the proposed timescale for remedial action, with work fully complete by January 2025. Pursuing remedial work on that timescale is practicable and proportionate, noting that eight of the issues that GDS have raised relate to features with very low levels of user engagement.
At present we do not have any content that is not within the scope of the accessibility regulations. However, this may change in future.
The accessibility issues with this site can only be fixed by OCLC updating the software and deploying this to all their customers worldwide.
Regular improvements to accessibility are planned between July 2024 and January 2025. The University of Southampton and OCLC will meet each month during this period. The University will review this statement after each meeting.
OCLC is committed to enabling use of the WorldCat Discovery service by all users. Accessibility is an important consideration during our product development. Future enhancements to WorldCat Discovery include considerations for building new features that comply with accessibility guidelines. We aim to provide compliance within all newly modernized pages going forward, focusing on improving the ability to bypass blocks and the clarity of headings, labels, and page titles.
This statement was prepared on 25th July 2024. It was last reviewed on 25th July 2024.
This website was last tested on 13 February 2024 against the WCAG 2.1 AA standard.
The test was carried out, but OCLC who audited using the following tools: