Libraries of Foster
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE LIBRARIES OF FOSTER
October 27, 2023
The Libraries of Foster (LOF) use social media to inform the public about library resources and activities, increase the use of library resources and provide additional communication with members of the public. The Libraries of Foster regard social media as an information source that is in accordance with its mission of serving patrons to meet their informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs.
Definition:
The term social media includes forms of electronic and printed communication (as Web sites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (as videos, electronic and printed communication, pod cast).
Application:
The Libraries of Foster currently use Facebook, Instagram and the libraries’ website to maintain a virtual presence in the community. All sites are administered by the Director, who may authorize additional staff access to create posts that are intended to promote the libraries’ programs, events, and services.
Guidelines for posting on the Libraries of Foster’s social media sites:
- Post only items intended to promote the libraries’ programs, events, and services. Sharing news and stories about libraries in general is permitted, as long as it is factual and without bias or personal agenda.
- Photos and videos of library events may only be posted when permission has been expressly granted by the participants. The director will review materials and ensure participants have been contacted and have given their approval for the post.
- If a member of the community wishes to engage in a discussion regarding specific social media content and/or policies, they should email (info@fosterlibraries.org/contact-us) or set up a meeting with the library director (appointment only).
The library invites comments, posts, and messages, while recognizing and respecting differences of opinion and upholding the standards of ethics and conduct delineated in the LOF Code of Conduct. Comments expressed on the Library’s social media accounts do not reflect the views or positions of the library, its officers, or its employees. Social media users should exercise their own judgment about the quality and accuracy of any information presented through social media. The Director maintains the right to edit, take down, block or hide a post they deem inappropriate. No posts will be removed without following approved procedure, and no content will be removed on the authority of a single staff member or administrator. Content containing the following will be removed:
- Disrespectful, inflammatory, or off-topic comments
- Obscene, discriminatory, or otherwise threatening comments
- Personal attacks, insults, or harassment
- Plagiarized material (quotations without credit lines)
- Information likely to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
- Private or personal information published without consent
- Commercial promotions, spam, or organized political activity
- Hyperlinks with images which meet any of the above criteria
If it happens that any individual repeatedly and/or habitually provides content to LOF-sponsored media sites that meets the criteria above, the library may block them from posting any further information to the library’s social media for 30 days, but only after said person has received one warning that they are violating the policies contained herein. Any social media user who has been banned or had a message/content deleted may appeal this decision, in writing or email, to the Library Director. Email reconsideration requests should be sent to info@fosterlibrary.org. or mailed to
Foster Public
Library Director
184 Howard Hill Road
Foster RI 02825
Staff and Members of the Board guidelines for use of personal social media with respect to the LOF:
As an employee or member of the board of LOF, you represent the library in our community. If you use social media in your private life, please write knowledgeably and accurately and use appropriate professionalism. Always bear in mind that your words could have an impact on LOF.
Unless given prior permission by the Director, you are not authorized to speak on behalf of LOF, or to represent that you do so. If you identify that you are an employee of LOF you must state that the views expressed are yours alone and do not represent the views of LOF.
Without limiting any other confidentiality protections LOF may have, you may not share information that is confidential and proprietary about LOF, its employees, or patrons.
LOF will not collect, sell, or knowingly transfer to any third parties any personally identifiable information related to social media engagement with the library. Users must understand that social media is permanent, retrievable, and public. Messages have the potential to be read by anyone once posted, regardless of status on friends, follower, or subscriber lists. The library recommends that users do not post their personal information or contact information on its social media sites.
Interaction (posting, commenting, or messaging) with any LOF-affiliated page constitutes the indemnification of The Libraries of Foster, its employees, its affiliates, and the Town of Foster from and against any and all liabilities, judgments, damages, and costs incurred by any of them which arise out of or are related to posted content/content you post. LOF assumes no liability regarding any event or interaction that takes place by any participant on any LOF-affiliated social networking website.
Approved: October, 2023
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