[Michlib-l] Social Media Policy Responses

[Sharon Crotser-Toy]

Greetings, everyone!

Many thanks to all of you who shared your social media policies. They’ve been very helpful to begin formulating our own.
I’ve copied and pasted those I received, below, for anyone interested in the responses. Apologies for the formatting!

-Sharon

TLN Social Media DRAFT Working Doc
DRAFT TLN Social Media policies/guidelines:
Purpose of TLN Social Media
1. The primary purpose of TLN social media is to engage and market our member libraries. To that end, the primary target audience of TLN social media accounts is the membership of TLN, i.e. TLN libraries.
2. An additional primary purpose of TLN social Media is to market and promote TLN, our projects, and our services to prospective customers and the general public.
3. An additional primary purpose of TLN social media is to further advance the mission, vision, priorities, and goals of TLN.
4. A secondary purpose of TLN social media is to promote libraries and library partners in general.
5. An additional secondary purpose of TLN social media is to share or provide information that may be useful to TLN libraries, the library community in general, and the diverse populations that libraries serve.
Content Criteria
1. TLN social media may be used to promote our services, libraries, and other information providers.
2. TLN social media may be used for promoting ideas that are of concern to libraries and the communities they serve.
3. Outside of promoting library and justice* work in support of our mission and vision TLN social media should attempt to be apolitical when/if promoting elections, voting, or other events, topics/ideas, religions, groups or individuals, etc.
*Justice work is core to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work that is a value and priority for TLN, as set by our Board of Trustees. Justice work is seen as political by some groups and individuals but TLN sees it as a necessary part of our services and contribution to American society. See also the ALA Library Bill of Rights and the ALA Code of Ethics which explicitly states:
We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to recognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services, and allocation of resources and spaces.
4. TLN social media should attempt to only post truthful, accurate, and/or factual information.
5. TLN social media posts should comply with all applicable laws and applicable TLN policies.
6. TLN social media posts should not be discriminatory in nature.
7. TLN social media post should attempt to promote the mission, vision, values, and goals of TLN and our member libraries and be reflective of the diverse populations served by the libraries in our region.
Proposed specific work tasks for TLN Social Media
Primary
1. "Follow" member libraries on Facebook and Twitter with the official TLN accounts.
2. "Like" posts from member libraries on Facebook and Twitter from the official TLN accounts.
3. "Repost" posts from member libraries on Facebook and Twitter on the official TLN accounts.
Secondary
4. Identify and post other useful, fun, or otherwise engaging information, links, images, videos, etc. on the official TLN accounts.

The Eau Claire District Library is committed to using current forms of social media to be more accessible to Library users and to promote Library services, resources, programs, and events. The Library’s social media sites provide a public forum to facilitate the sharing of ideas, opinions and information about Library-related subjects and issues. Patrons are encouraged to share their opinions about Library-related subjects, resources, and programs.
Definition of Social Media
Social media is defined as a web application, website, or account created and maintained by the Eau Claire District Library.
Terms of Use
The Eau Claire District Library welcomes the comments, posts, and messages of the community and recognizes and respects differences in opinion. However, all comments, posts, and messages are subject to review and the Eau Claire District Library reserves the right to remove any comment, post, or message that it deems inappropriate. The Eau Claire District Library also reserves the right to block or remove users from its contacts. The Eau Claire District Library is not responsible or liable for any content posted by any participant in a Library social media forum who is not a member of the Library’s staff.
Rules for Commenting
Please post responsibly. Protect your privacy and do not post personally identifying information. Young people under age 18, especially, should not post information such as last name, school, age, phone number, address.
Posts containing the following are against Library rules and will be removed by Library staff upon discovery:
· Copyright violations
· Comments substantially off-topic or unrelated to the post
· Spam or other commercial or political messages
· Duplicate posts from the same individual
· Obscene or racist posts
· Libelous or defamatory comments
· Abusive or threatening posts
By choosing to comment you agree to these policies.

Social Media Policy
I. Purpose
Social media provides a valuable and timely way for the Loutit District Library to disseminate information about and promote library news, events, projects, and services. It also serves to inspire conversation and expand the Library’s connection with the community. Loutit District Library regards social media to be equally important as any other venue for the dissemination of library information.
The Library acknowledges that the social media landscape is ever-changing and should routinely review its policies and practices. Any adjustment to policies or removal/addition of new social media tools must be approved by the Marketing Librarian.
II. Definitions
Social Media: Digital technologies, platforms, and online communities that allow publishing, communication, and collaboration among individuals and institutions. Various forms of discussion and information-sharing tools exist, including social networks, blogs, video sharing, podcasts, wikis, message boards, and online forums. Examples of social media applications include Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.
III. Library Social Media Channels
Type: Facebook
Started: June 2009
Update Frequency: 1-2 times a day during weekdays, at minimum
Primary Audience: All Ages
Purpose: This channel is managed by 2-4 approved staff members and posts will range in subject from current events and popular content to library events and services.
Type: Instagram
Started: February 2016
Update Frequency: Once a day during weekdays, at minimum
Primary Audience: All Ages
Purpose: This channel is managed by 1-2 approved staff members and posts will range in subject from current events and popular content to library events and services.
Type: Twitter
Started: February 2016
Update Frequency: When applicable
Primary Audience: All Ages
Purpose: This channel is managed by 1-2 approved staff members and posts will range in subject from current events and popular content to library events and services.
Type: Pinterest
Started: February 2016
Update Frequency: When applicable
Primary Audience: All Ages
Purpose: This channel is managed by 1-2 approved staff members and posts will range in subject from current events and popular content to library events and services.
Type: YouTube
Started: February 2016
Update Frequency: When a video is created to be shared
Primary Audience: All Ages
Purpose: This channel is managed by 1-2 approved staff members and posts will range in subject from current events and popular content to library events and services.
Type: LinkedIn
Started: February 2016
Update Frequency: When applicable
Primary Audience: All Ages
Purpose: This channel is managed by 1-2 approved staff members and posts will range in subject from current events and popular content to library events and services.
Type: TikTok
Started: March 2022
Update Frequency: When applicable
Primary Audience: All Ages
Purpose: This channel is managed by 1-2 approved staff members and posts will range in subject from current events and popular content to library events and services.
IV. Social Media Governance
The Marketing Team is responsible for the oversight of all Loutit District Library social media accounts.
Departments must receive approval from the Marketing Librarian prior to the creation of any social media account. Departments must provide the Marketing Librarian a communications plan for the use of the proposed social media that includes communication goals, the targeted audience, and the availability of staff to produce, post, and monitor content. Social media accounts must adhere to the
Marketing Team’s branding guidelines in accordance with the Social Media Policy and the Brand Identity described in the Marketing Plan.
Approved Staff and Roles
Only approved staff should have access to and/or create content for social media outlets. Any and all posts created by library staff and posted to a library social media account are to be considered official library correspondence. Approved staff with access must implement Two Factor Authentication (TFA) on any social media accounts with TFA capability that are associated with the Library as a preventative measure.
Onboarding staff members for access to the library’s social media outlets is under the Marketing Librarian’s discretion.
When a staff member leaves the library’s employment, the Marketing Librarian must take the following steps to secure the Library’s social media:
● Remove the staff member from any admin role for any social media the staff member is connected to.
● Change any necessary passwords to Library social media the staff member had access to.
The Marketing Librarian has the authority to create, maintain, and delete official company accounts. The Marketing Team as a whole is responsible for implementing the Library’s social media strategy and are responsible for moderating posts and comments on the Library’s social media.
The Marketing Team works together to make sure all social media content goes through a review process on Trello before being scheduled or posted. After all elements of the social media content have been put together, the original creator must assign another member of the Marketing Team to review the post. The reviewer has the authority to make any necessary changes before approving the post and notifying the original creator it is ready to schedule or post on social media.
V. Passwords
Passwords for Social Media can be found in the Staff Docs (T:) Drive. Navigate to the “~Marketing Team” folder. Open the KeyPass database “Passwords.kdbx”. The Marketing Librarian will provide the master password.
Staff will need to download the KeyPass program to access passwords. The program can be downloaded here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/keepass/
VI. Social Media Usage
Social media, when put to best use, creates a public forum for the exchange of information. These media should be used in ways that appeal to the broadest possible audience and that are tolerant of multiple points of view and interests.
All content posted to social media must be factual and accurate information, and under fair use unless permission to use content is granted by the copyright holder.
Examples of types of communication to be distributed include the following:
● Polls, questions, and activities used to promote engagement
● Library programs, services, and collections
● Library policies and procedures
● Library employment
● Customer service and feedback
● Reader’s Advisory Information
● Free community resources
● Public service announcements
● Emergency information
● News, information, and educational content
● Community or neighborhood-specific information
● Marketing/promotional/awareness communications
● Sharing of posts from local community public organizations
Examples of types of communication to not be distributed include the following:
● Material that may not be appropriate for all ages
● Commercial promotions, advertisements or spam
● Religious and political content
● Events, programs, or services associated with a cost
● Employment at entities other than Loutit District Library
● Programs not related to Loutit District Library
● Links to websites that do not contain credible, reliable information
● Copyrighted or plagiarized material
● Profane, obscene or racist content
● Speech that promotes hate of any kind
● Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
● Potentially libelous statements
● Private, personal information published without consent
VII. Prohibited Content and Blocking Users
The Loutit District Library allows comments, posts, and messages from the public. Appropriate comments and postings must be relevant to the content created by the Library staff. However, the library reserves the right to review and remove any content that is deemed, in its sole view, to be inappropriate by nature. Comments or postings that fall within one of the following categories will be deleted by the Library staff:
● Obscene content or hate speech
● Personal attacks, harassment, insults, or threatening language
● Private or personal information, including phone numbers and addresses, or requests for personal information
● Potentially libelous statements
● Plagiarized or copyrighted material
● Political, or religious messages
● Commercial promotions or spam
● Outside solicitation of funds
● Any illegal activity
● Material that is deemed off topic or inappropriate
● Private or personal information
● Falsification of identity
● Hyperlinks to material not directly related to the discussion
● Any images, links, or other content that falls into the above categories
The Library also reserves the right to ban or block users who violate this policy.
In addition, users are expected to abide by the terms and conditions set by third party social media platforms as well as follow appropriate Federal and State Law.
The Library is not responsible for the content posted by others on its social media platforms. User content is the opinions of the specific author and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the Library.
VIII. Responding to Customer Service Messages, Comments, and Private DMs
The Library strives for excellence and professionalism in providing outstanding customer service to all its users to ensure needs are satisfied and a positive association with the Library is established/maintained. When responding to customer service messages, staff members are to follow the Social Media Standards outlined in Loutit District Library’s Service Commitment.
Customer inquiries should be directed to the appropriate staff member.
Complaints and other feedback should be directed to the Marketing Librarian to address. If it is determined to be a bigger issue, the Marketing Librarian may bring the feedback or complaint to the Admin team.
Any prohibited content sent in a message or comment will be deleted. The Library also reserves the right to ban or block users who violate this policy.
IX. Agreement
By choosing to comment and/or utilize the above sites, users of the Loutit District Library’s social media sites agree to these rules.

The Baldwin Public Library (BPL) utilizes various social media applications whereby BPL staff and users can interact through virtual (internet) communication to effectively promote our programs, collections, services, and electronic resources. BPL regards online social media applications in the same way as its other information resources in accordance with its mission of serving our patrons’ needs for informational, educational, cultural, and recreational pursuits.
What is Social Media? Social media is defined as any website or application that allows users to share information. Social media can include, but is not limited to, blogging, instant messaging, social media sites, and wikis. Many social media sites allow users of those sites to become a “friend,” “follower,” or otherwise associate their own “profiles” or virtual presences with BPL’s profile on these sites. Examples of such sites are Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and blogging platforms like Blogger and WordPress.
BPL does not act in place of or in the absence of a parent and is not responsible for enforcing any restrictions that a parent or guardian may place on a minor’s use of this resource.
Library Social Media Content BPL employees will regularly create, post, and share current professional content by using social media. Designated staff members will have access to BPL’s social media accounts to manage the following types of content and features: • Notice of library events, meetings, and programs; notice of community events • Photographs and videos from the above • Links to articles, videos about libraries, publishing, books, reading, and other literacy related content • Information about library-related services such as databases and electronic services • Highlights of special collections such as local history or new additions to the collections
Personal Information BPL does not collect, maintain or otherwise use the personal information stored on any third party site in any way other than to communicate with users on that site, unless granted permission by users for BPL contact outside the site. Contact outside the site may include program promotion, volunteer opportunities, reference help, or other similar activities. Users may remove themselves at any time from BPL’s “friends” or “followers” lists, or request that BPL remove them. Users should be aware that third party websites have their own privacy policies and should proceed accordingly.
Social Media Usage Policy adopted by the BPL Board October 2014. Revised January 19, 2022 Comments, Posts, and Messages BPL shall be granted the right to reproduce comments, posts, and messages in other public venues. For example, a response to a Facebook post or blog book review may be quoted in a newspaper or on the BPL website. No personal information, other than first name, will be used unless prior approval is granted by the user. BPL assumes no liability regarding any content provided by any participant in any BPL sponsored social media service, and does not endorse or review content outside the “posts” created by BPL staff. To participate in BPL social media services, users must agree to abide by all BPL policies, including the Electronic Device, Network, and Internet Use Policy, Social Media Policy, and the Terms of Service of each individual third-party service provider. The role and utility of social media sites will be evaluated periodically by BPL staff, and may be terminated at any time without notice to subscribers.
Comment Removal Policy The official BPL social media accounts will serve as a limited public forum that will allow BPL staff to share information about BPL with people who engage with each platform. All library users are welcome to participate, provided they accept the terms of service of the respective social media platforms: copyright violations, obscenity, pornography, defamatory or libelous comments or threats to the library, library staff and other users is prohibited. BPL is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and free discourse. Users are welcome to participate and comment on our blogs and social media sites, but BPL requests and urges that all participants adhere to the general rules of civility. All social media interactions will be regularly monitored, reviewed, and approved for content. BPL is requesting and urges all participants to engage in civil communication. Should a patron post materials listed below, the patron will be temporarily blocked and items removed, and will be notified of why they are being blocked. The patron will be afforded an appellate process to challenge the removal and block within 48 hours of the removal and block and appeal to the library director. The patron will have the opportunity to have their postings reinstated as determined by the library director. The following material may be removed from BPL social media sites: • Advertisements • Postings which contain obscene matter • Supreme Court defined “hate” words • Threats against BPL staff or other users • Postings that are hateful, threatening, pornographic, that contain graphic or gratuitous violence • Potentially libelous or defamatory postings
Social Media Usage Policy adopted by the BPL Board October 2014. Revised January 19, 2022 • Postings which contain privileged, proprietary, or confidential information about any person, business, or entity, including, without limitation, patrons, vendors, BPL or BPL partners • Postings which violate or potentially violate local, state, or federal laws, including, but not limited to, intellectual property and copyright laws • Postings which discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, age, sexual orientation, creed, or ancestry • Postings which contain sexual harassment, epithets, or slurs • Postings that support or opposes the nomination or election of a candidate for public office, the investigation, prosecution, or recall of a public official, or the passage of a levy, bond issue, proposal, or other issues on a ballot Comments and opinions expressed through any BPL social media account are those of the individual contributors, and do not reflect those of the BPL, its officers or employees. Social media users should use their own judgment about the quality and accuracy of any information presented through social media.



Sharon Crotser-Toy

Director

Watervliet District Library

333 N. Main Street

Watervliet, MI 49098

269-463-6382


Connects People, Inspires Ideas, Transforms Lives
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