SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
Recognizing that social media can be a valuable way to communicate and to disseminate information, the Bolton Public Library uses select tools to reach the community. This policy provides guidance for engagement on social media, including selection of platforms, periodic reviews of new tools, administration of accounts, and authorized use. This policy also guides staff in their use of personal and Library social media.
PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA
The Library does not intend to restrict any individual’s legal rights. However, employees using personal social media are trusted to behave thoughtfully and responsibly when using personal media including
Staff must bear in mind that any conduct that adversely affects their own or coworkers’ job performance, or relationships with the public or other departments, may result in disciplinary actions as described in the Code of Bolton Personnel Bylaws (https://ecode360.com/14848268).
Staff members may not view or work on their personal social media accounts on town-owned or personal devices during work hours.
While it is recognized that individual staff members and also patrons may be “friends” or otherwise linked via social media, the library does not monitor personal accounts.
THE LIBRARY'S SOCIAL MEDIA
Each and every social media page should clearly indicate that it is supported and maintained by the Bolton Public Library, should have contact information for the Library prominently displayed, and should have a link to the Library’s website.
No staff member may open a new account or engage on a new platform unless cleared in advance by the Director.
The Director has authority to grant staff members access to the Library’s social media accounts.
Staff members authorized by the Director may work on the Library’s social media during work hours.
The Director will maintain all passwords, ensuring that they are sufficiently secure. Passwords will be changed immediately upon the departure of any authorized individual from the town’s employment.
CONTENT AND ENGAGEMENT
Participation in the Library’s social media accounts implies agreement with the Library’s policies as well as the third-party platform’s terms of service. Users who disagree with or cannot abide by those terms should not participate.
As with all of the Library’s offerings, the Library doesn’t replace a parent or guardian’s responsibility for guiding a minor’s use of social media.
All content on the library’s social media accounts will be developed with the Director’s consultation and posted only with the Director’s consent.
Patron privacy will be protected at all times.
Comments and questions directly related to the Library’s posts are welcome. Authorized staff will respond to operational questions politely, briefly, and factually. Should additional dialog be required, staff will direct commenters to call the Library during open hours.
All posted content will be in full compliance with copyright, fair use, and defamation laws.
The Library reserves the right to remove posts and comments that include prohibited content. Strictly prohibited content including comments, posts, or links containing the following:
The Library will remove comments that contain personal information about any individual, including phone number, address, or library card number.
The Library and its staff are not responsible for content posted by others on its social media platforms. User opinions posted on Library social media may not reflect those of the Library, and are not to be considered endorsements by the Library.
Library accounts will be reviewed periodically for their usefulness in achieving the library’s goals. Any account may be terminated at any time without notice to users.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, 9/20/2023.
PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA
The Library does not intend to restrict any individual’s legal rights. However, employees using personal social media are trusted to behave thoughtfully and responsibly when using personal media including
- Being open about their status as town employees
- Being clear that their personal opinions are their own and do not reflect those of the Library or Town
- Understanding that social media is public, retrievable, and permanent
- Understanding that once online, posts may be shared, viewed, or archived with unintended consequences
- Not disclosing information that is not yet cleared for public distribution or that is protected by privacy laws
- Not using the Bolton Public Library logo, Town seal, or other graphics that may suggest endorsement of a post
Staff must bear in mind that any conduct that adversely affects their own or coworkers’ job performance, or relationships with the public or other departments, may result in disciplinary actions as described in the Code of Bolton Personnel Bylaws (https://ecode360.com/14848268).
Staff members may not view or work on their personal social media accounts on town-owned or personal devices during work hours.
While it is recognized that individual staff members and also patrons may be “friends” or otherwise linked via social media, the library does not monitor personal accounts.
THE LIBRARY'S SOCIAL MEDIA
Each and every social media page should clearly indicate that it is supported and maintained by the Bolton Public Library, should have contact information for the Library prominently displayed, and should have a link to the Library’s website.
No staff member may open a new account or engage on a new platform unless cleared in advance by the Director.
The Director has authority to grant staff members access to the Library’s social media accounts.
Staff members authorized by the Director may work on the Library’s social media during work hours.
The Director will maintain all passwords, ensuring that they are sufficiently secure. Passwords will be changed immediately upon the departure of any authorized individual from the town’s employment.
CONTENT AND ENGAGEMENT
Participation in the Library’s social media accounts implies agreement with the Library’s policies as well as the third-party platform’s terms of service. Users who disagree with or cannot abide by those terms should not participate.
As with all of the Library’s offerings, the Library doesn’t replace a parent or guardian’s responsibility for guiding a minor’s use of social media.
All content on the library’s social media accounts will be developed with the Director’s consultation and posted only with the Director’s consent.
Patron privacy will be protected at all times.
Comments and questions directly related to the Library’s posts are welcome. Authorized staff will respond to operational questions politely, briefly, and factually. Should additional dialog be required, staff will direct commenters to call the Library during open hours.
All posted content will be in full compliance with copyright, fair use, and defamation laws.
The Library reserves the right to remove posts and comments that include prohibited content. Strictly prohibited content including comments, posts, or links containing the following:
- Plagiarized remarks
- Obscene images or text
- Discriminatory remarks
- Hate speech
- Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
- Private or personal information or requests for same
- Potentially libelous statements
- Commercial, political, or religious messages unrelated to the Library or its social media postings
- Solicitation of funds
- Violation of any and all state and federal laws
The Library will remove comments that contain personal information about any individual, including phone number, address, or library card number.
The Library and its staff are not responsible for content posted by others on its social media platforms. User opinions posted on Library social media may not reflect those of the Library, and are not to be considered endorsements by the Library.
Library accounts will be reviewed periodically for their usefulness in achieving the library’s goals. Any account may be terminated at any time without notice to users.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, 9/20/2023.
