I would think in terms of accessibility. A self closing menu would have to indicate to a blind user that it was closing the parent when the child opens, and/ or otherwise provide a way for the user to go back. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 18, 2015, at 3:02 PM, Kyle Breneman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Our library website is currently being redesigned to be responsive.  The
> work is being done by an outside design firm and the project is being
> managed by University Relations, our school's PR department.
> 
> The mobile version of our responsive site has several accordion menus
> (similar to attached).  I've asked for these accordion menus to be
> self-closing; in other words, there is never more than one expansion of an
> accordion open at one time - if a user clicks to open another part of the
> accordion, the first part simultaneously slides shut.
> 
> I've been told that self-closing accordions are contrary to best practices:
> 
> "Unfortunately, no, as this isn’t best practice. Accordions should require
> a click each to open and close; in other words, nothing on your page should
> move without a user action. This is true throughout our sites. See the
> universal Quick Links in mobile."
> 
> Is it true that self-closing accordion menus run counter to best practices
> in mobile web design?  The sort of behavior that I'm asking for seems, to
> me, intuitive and expected.
> 
> Thanks for your input!
> 
> Kyle Breneman
> Integrated Digital Services Librarian
> University of Baltimore
> <accordions.JPG>