Social Media Policy

Purpose

Social media provides a valuable and timely way for the Pelham Public Library to disseminate and promote information about library news, events, projects, and services. Social Media assists the Library in following its mission of identifying community needs, promoting library services for both adults and children, and serving as a center for reliable information. The Pelham Public Library regards Social Media as equally important as any other venue for the dissemination of library information.  These forums are intended to create welcoming and inviting online spaces where library users can interact with library staff and other library users while finding useful and entertaining information related to the library’s activities and resources.

Definition of Social Media

Social media is defined as any web application, site, or account created and maintained by the Pelham Public Library. Examples of social media include but are not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, library blogs, and website.

Parental Controls and Privacy

As with more traditional resources and the Internet, the Pelham Public Library does not act in place of, or in the absence of, a parent/guardian and is not responsible for enforcing any restrictions which a parent/guardian may place on a minor’s use of social media applications. 

The Library does not collect, maintain, or otherwise use the personal information stored on any third party site in any way other than to communicate library-related information with users on that site, unless granted permission by users for Library contact outside of that specific site. Users may remove themselves at any time from the Library’s friends, fans, followers, or subscribers or request that the Library remove them. 

Users should be aware that third party websites have their own privacy policies and should proceed accordingly. Users are encouraged to protect their privacy by not posting personally identifying information, such as last name, school, age, phone number, or address.

Usage Rules

The Pelham Public Library welcomes the comments, posts, and messages of the community and recognizes and respects differences in opinion. However, all comments, posts, and messages will be periodically reviewed and the Pelham Public Library reserves the right to, but is not required to, remove any comment, post, or message that it deems inappropriate or off-topic.

The Pelham Public Library is not responsible for or liable for any content posted by any participant in a Library social media forum who is not a member of the Library’s staff.

Users should have no expectation of privacy in postings on Library sponsored social media sites; by using such sites, you consent to the Library’s right to access, monitor, and read any postings on those sites. Users must understand that social media is permanent, retrievable, and public. Messages can potentially be read by anyone once posted, regardless of status on friends, fans, followers, or subscribers. The Library recommends that users do not post their personal information or contact information on social media sites.

Content containing any of the following will be removed immediately from any Pelham Public Library social media forum:

  • Obscene content or hate speech
  • Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
  • Private or personal information, including phone numbers and addresses, or requests for personal information
  • Potentially libelous statements
  • Falsification of identity
  • Plagiarized material
  • Comments, links, or information unrelated to the purpose of the forum
  • Spam or other commercial, political, or religious messages unrelated to the Library or its social media postings
  • Solicitation of funds
  • Any images, links, or other content that falls into the above categories

The Library reserves the right to ban or block users who have posted in violation of this policy.

In addition, users are expected to abide by the terms and conditions set by third party social media platforms as well as follow appropriate Federal and State Law.

Reviews and comments (both positive and negative) are welcomed on the Library’s Social Media platforms. However, specific complaints can often be addressed more quickly and specifically if they are communicated directly to Library Administration. Please help us provide the best service possible by contacting Administration with problems or complaints.  

Library management of social media accounts

Only library employees will be allowed to manage official Pelham Public Library accounts. Library Director must approve who has access to those accounts.

Staff must follow the procedures and guidelines set forth in the library’s Policies and Procedures.  

Every effort will be made to follow appropriate security protocols to protect library accounts from being hacked etc.

All posts will meet with professional standards. No graphic content/images, vulgar language, or hate-speech shall be used in any library affiliated social media. No political or religious speech shall be used either. Social media will be used to share library related business, programs, or information related to books, media, and other items of interest to library patrons. 

All staff will follow the City of Pelham’s “Social Networking Policy” as set forth in the Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual. 

Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.