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D8
Social Media Policy
Approved: 01/30/2014

Purpose

The Ypsilanti District Library is committed to engaging the community through social media. Social media includes web applications, web sites or web accounts created and/or maintained by the Library, to inform Library users about its programs, events, hours, employment opportunities, and materials. The Library has established social media sites to engage Library users and staff in dialogue and the exchange of information about these programs, events, hours, employment opportunities, and materials. The Library’s social media sites are not intended to be traditional public forums for the general exchange of ideas and viewpoints, but a limited forum for discussion of Library-related information. The Library’s social media sites include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

No Right to Privacy

Persons using the Library’s social media should not expect privacy in any postings. By utilizing the Library’s social media sites, consent is given to the Library to access, monitor or read any postings on the sites. The Library will not, however, require the disclosure of personal passwords.

The Library’s social media sites may be considered public records under applicable laws. If requested, the Library must disclose public records to third parties, unless certain exemptions apply. The Library, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether postings of its social media websites are public records and whether exemptions from disclosure apply.

Library Rights and Responsibilities

The Library is not responsible for enforcing restrictions which a parent or guardian may place on a minor’s use of the Library’s social media.

The Library is not responsible for or liable for the content of postings by third parties on any Library sponsored-social media site. Said third party postings do not reflect the opinions or positions of the Ypsilanti District Library, its Board of Trustees, or its employees.

Content which the Library, in its sole discretion, deems inappropriate under this policy may be removed in whole or part by the Library or its agents immediately upon discovery by the Library or its agents without prior notice.

The Library reserves the right to terminate accounts and/or ban or block users who have posted in violation of this policy on more than one occasion.

By posting on the Library’s social media sites, users give the Library permission to use their name, profile picture, and the content of any posting without compensation to the user or liability on the part of the Library. This permission ends when the content is deleted.

Employee Postings

Library employees are permitted to post on the Library’s social media sites during their personal time outside of work, but in so doing they speak only as a citizen addressing matters of public concern. When a library employee posts information or makes comments on Library social media sites, they are not presenting official library sponsored information or comments, unless specially stating they have been authorized by the Library to do so. When utilizing the Library’s social media, library employees must also follow all established employment-related policies and guidelines.

Policy Violations

Any content inconsistent with the purpose of this policy as stated above, as determined by the Library in its sole discretion, may be removed by the Library or its agents. Examples of content not permitted include, but are not limited to:

  • Advertisements or postings intended to promote personal gain
  • Spam
  • Content which contains obscene matter
  • Content which contains disparaging, harassing, abusive, profane, or offensive remarks
  • Content which contains personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
  • Content that is potentially libelous or defamatory
  • Content that is religious or political in nature
  • Content which discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, creed, or ancestry
  • Content that contains confidential information about the Library, its partners, or its users
  • Content that violates any federal, state, or local law, including, but not limited to, intellectual property and copyright laws