III. SERVICES
Q. Social Media (Patrons)
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines concerning the establishment and use by citizens of social media websites, the appropriate, acceptable use of personal social media and social networking sites, and addresses the use of social media and social networking sites maintained by or on behalf of the Library.
DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions and examples apply. As new technologies emerge or existing technologies change, this policy applies to all contemporary technologies generally accepted in these categories beyond the presented examples or devices.
Social Media: A variety of online sources that allow people to communicate, share information, share photos, share videos, share audio, and exchange text and other multimedia files with others via some form of online mobility platform.
Social Networking: Using such internet or mobile formats as FaceBook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Myspace, LinkedIn, Foursquare, Police Pulse, The Squad Room, Usenet groups, online forums, message boards or bulletin boards, blogs, and other similarly developed formats to communicate with others and/or network with other users based upon similar interests, geographical locations, skills, occupations, ideologies, beliefs, etc.
Blog: A series of entries written by either one person or a group of people in an online journal, usually posted in chronological order, like a diary. Blogs allow comments on entries or not. WordPress, Blogger, and Typepad are examples.
Forum: An online discussion site.
Establishing Social Websites
The Library may operate a social media website as a way to achieve the Library’s mission. The Library’s social media tools provide a limited (or designated) Forum which enables the Library staff to facilitate information about department-related topics, events, programs, and issues. By using social media webpages, it is the Library’s intent to create an online space where designated staff may provide useful and educational information to the community.
3-17 SOCIAL MEDIA (Patrons)
Policy approved by the WCPL Board of Trustees, 5/19/2022
The Library’s social media websites are public forums maintained by or on behalf of the Williamson County Library as a tool for communicating with the public and are limited to the discussion of matters related to the Library, County, and the services it provides.
Rules for Commenting
While using social media, designated staff shall conduct themselves in a professional manner, to respect the views and opinions of others, and to demonstrate respect for the Library, its employees, patrons, officers, invitees and board members.
All individuals posting comments on a Library social network website must respect trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property, and proprietary information. No third-party content should be published without prior permission of the owner of the material.
The Library Director or the Director’s appointee maintains the right to monitor all activity on the Library’s social network websites.
Comment Moderation. Individuals shall not post comments or items that are off-topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening, or an invasion of privacy.
Posts containing the following are against Library policies and shall be deleted or removed by the Director or designated Account Administration without notice:
- Obscene or racist content
- Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
- Potentially libelous statements
- Plagiarized material
- Private, personal information published with or without consent
- Comments totally unrelated to the content of the Forum
- Hyperlinks to material that is not directly related to the discussion
- Commercial promotions or spam
- Organized political activity
All Library social media websites must contain the following statement:
The purpose of this site is to serve as a mechanism for communication between the Williamson County Library and the public. All postings are subject to review and deletion by Williamson County. The following content is not allowed and shall be immediately removed and may subject the poster to expulsion from all Williamson County social media sites:
3-17 SOCIAL MEDIA (Patrons), p. 2
Policy approved by the WCPL Board of Trustees, 5/19/2022
- Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures;
- Profane, obscene, violent, or pornographic content or language;
- Content that attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes including race, ethnic origin, national origin, skin color, gender (including status as pregnant or nursing), religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation, indicating a level of intolerance or hostility that is incompatible with a commitment to serve all members of the community;
- Sexual content or links to sexual content;
- Solicitations of commerce;
- Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
- Comments not related to the original topic, including random or unintelligible comments;
- Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems; or
- Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party.
Generally, Library social media sites are subject to the Tennessee Open Records Act. Any content maintained in a Social Media format that is related to Library or Williamson County business or other public matters, including a list of subscribers, posted communications, attachments, and communication submitted for posting, may be public record subject to public disclosure under T.C.A. § 10-7-503. Do not submit anything you do not wish to be broadcast to the general public. Unless removed for violation of this policy, posts will be maintained on the social media sites in accordance with the Tennessee Open Records Act where applicable. It is not the intent of Williamson County to edit or censor submissions made by any individual. However, posts that violate the Library's Social Media Policy should not be used and may be removed from the social media sites.
3-17 SOCIAL MEDIA (Patrons), p. 3
Policy approved by the WCPL Board of Trustees, 5/19/2022