Purpose
This policy governs the Wilmington Memorial Library’s participation in online venues and social media defined here as any forum for online publication and commentary, including but not limited to blogs, wikis, and social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest). The library makes use of these tools to reach out and be more easily accessible to current and potential library users. Social media allows the library to meet users where they are, and give staff and public a convenient way to interact and share information, ideas, and opinions on a range of topics related to the library’s mission, collections and services.
Rights and Responsibilities of the Library
The library’s social media sites serve as “limited public forums.” The library sets rules for use of its online venues and social media sites, just as it does for use of its other resources and communications. Library staff will monitor for content, relevancy and appropriateness. The library reserves the right to deny or remove any content including tags, and/or images that violate the law, the rights of any third party, or library policies. The library is not responsible for the content on the pages of friends, fans, or followers of the library.
User Responsibilities and Use Restrictions
Users of all ages are responsible for protecting their privacy and should not post personally identifying information, such as last name, school, age, phone number or address. The library does not act in place of, or in the absence of a parent or legal guardian.
Users may not post comments, tags or images that impinge on another’s privacy or that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory. Violations include, but are not limited to:
• Off-topic and/or disruptive posts
• Commercial promotions or spam
• Duplicate or excessively redundant posts from the same individual
• Threatening language and personal attacks
• Private, personal information published without consent
• Obscene or libelous content
• Copyright infringement/plagiarized material
• Political advocacy
• Posts that violate laws or library policies
In addition, the library reserves the right to edit or remove any postings or comments for space or content, while retaining the intent of the original post. The library shall also be granted the right to reproduce comments, posts, and messages in other public venues. No user should have any expectation of privacy or proprietary interest in his or her use of the library’s social networking sites.
While the library regularly monitors and reviews interactions, it cannot guarantee in all cases that barred content will not be posted by users, and the library assumes no liability for the posting or viewing of any such material. If a user encounters such material, he or she should promptly report it to the library. The library assumes no liability regarding any event or interaction that takes place by any participant in any library-sponsored social networking service, and does not endorse or review content outside the social media forums created and administered by library staff.
The library will periodically evaluate the role and utility of its online venues and social media, which may be terminated at any time.
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees October 20, 2015
(replaces Social Networking Policy)