Social Media Policy

Social Media Policy

Purpose

The purpose of the social media policy is to ensure effective promotion of library services, resources, and events to the public, and to ensure a high standard of customer service on social media.

Portsmouth Public Library Social Media Accounts

Establishment and administration of social media accounts: The Portsmouth Public Library System, its branches, and departments may establish social media accounts with the permission of the Library Director and social media team. For the purposes of this policy, “social media” refers to any online or mobile platform open to the public, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, LinkedIn, Tumblr, etc.

The social media team may contact supervisors of a department or location to assign an employee or employees to manage social media accounts. The library may require a member of the library social media team or IT to be added as account administrator in order to ensure continuity of access.

Content of posts:

Posts should inform library users about services, resources, programs, events, promote library use, and encourage dialogue between users and library representatives. Social media posts, as with all library media releases, should be positive in tone and should reflect the values and viewpoint of the library rather than personal opinions. Detailed instructions for posts can be found in the “Social Media Guidelines” procedure document.

The following uses of social media are strictly prohibited, whether on or off duty:

• Comments or displays about coworkers, supervisors or the Portsmouth Public Library System that are vulgar, obscene, threatening, intimidating, harassing, or a violation of the Portsmouth Public Library System’s workplace policies against discrimination, harassment or hostility on account of age, race, religion, sex, ethnicity, nationality, disability, military status or other protected class, status, or characteristic.
• Statements or uses of the Portsmouth Public Library System’s logo which are slanderous or detrimental, including evidence of the misuse of the Portsmouth Public Library System’s authority, information, insignia or equipment.
• Unprofessional communication which, if left unaddressed, could potentially result in a civil or criminal cause of action against the Portsmouth Public Library System. Unprofessional communication also includes that which the Portsmouth Public Library System could demonstrate has a substantial risk of negatively affecting the Portsmouth Public Library System’s reputation, mission or operations, such as slander, defamation or other legal cause of action.
• Disclosure of confidential and/or proprietary information acquired in the course of employment. Confidential information includes not only information that would not be available pursuant to a public records request, but also includes any information which does not relate to an issue of public concern.
• Comments or displays which impact employees’ abilities to perform their job duties or the Portsmouth Public Library System’s ability to maintain an efficient workplace.

Third-party posts:

The library is not responsible for the content of posts made by third parties, including customers, reviewers, advertisers, etc. Public posts by third parties do not reflect the positions of the Portsmouth Public Library or its employees.

The library reserves the right to delete public posts or comments if they include spam or advertisements, hateful or harassing speech, obscenity, personal disparagement or defamation, or any other comment that violates the library’s code of conduct. The library also reserves the right to deny access to library social media sites for any member of the public who posts objectionable content.

Complaints or negative comments should not be deleted, but should be engaged like any other patron complaint. Any complaints should be reported to the Library Director or Librarian in Charge.

Staff Usage of Social Media

Designated staff may maintain library social media accounts as part of their assigned duties. The library does not restrict the right of employees to use personal social media outside of work. However, employees must be aware that statements made on social media pursuant to their official duties may be viewed by others as library sponsored information or opinions.

Staff Violations of Social Media Policy

Social media sites may be inspected by the Library Director for cause to determine potential policy violations. If an employee believes that an online communication violates a Portsmouth Public Library System policy, the employee should immediately report the communication to the Library Director. Violations of the Social Media Policy shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may result in appropriate disciplinary actions per the Personnel Policy Handbook. This policy does not apply to communications protected by the U.S. or Ohio Constitutions.