Srivastava, Nikhil AnandTripathi, AdityaSingh, Satya Prakash2025-12-032025-12-032025-12-029789381232149https://ir.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/1944/252314th International CALIBER 2025, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, November 17-19, 2025Library websites have become essential gateways to institutional knowledge and services in the contemporary academic landscape, shaped by rapid digital transformation. However, many Indian higher education institutions still exhibit a disconnect between user expectations and digital service delivery. Numerous library portals suffer from outdated designs, limited accessibility, and weak alignment with evolving pedagogical and technological demands. These limitations restrict libraries from functioning as strategic partners in advancing research, learning, and inclusion. This study presents a five-phase strategic planning framework tailored to the Indian context, emphasizing user-centred design, accessibility, and continuous improvement factors often overlooked in institutional planning. The framework is structured around Assessment, Design, Integration, Implementation, and Evaluation and draws on established usability and accessibility standards, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). It aligns with national priorities such as the National Education Policy (2020) and quality benchmarks like the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Developed through literature synthesis, national case studies, and benchmarking against global best practices, the model remains flexible and scalable, accommodating diverse institutional capacities. Core components include Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) labels for screen-reader navigation, beta testing for usability validation, and Jakob Nielsen’s heuristics for interface quality. The proposed approach repositions the academic library website from a passive repository to an inclusive, adaptive platform central to digital engagement, advocating a shift from fragmented digital services toward holistic, user-driven ecosystems that ensure equitable access and long-term relevanceenAcademic LibrariesAccessibilityDigital InfrastructureLibrary Website DesignNational Education Policy - IndiaStrategic FrameworkUser ExperienceArticle