Purpose

This policy governs Monroe County Public Library's participation in online venues and social media, defined here as any facility for online publication and commentary, including but not limited to blogs, wikis, and social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr). The library makes use of these tools to reach out and be more easily accessible to current and potential library users. Social media allow the library to meet users where they are, and give staff and public a convenient way to interact and share information, ideas, and opinions on a range of topics related to the library's mission, collections and services.

Rights and Responsibilities of the Library

The library's social media sites serve as "limited public forums." The library sets rules for use of its online venues and social media sites, just as it does for use of its other resources and communications. Comments/posts will be moderated by library staff for content and relevancy. The library reserves the right to deny or remove any comments , tags, and/or images that violate the law, the rights of any third party, or library policies.

The library is not responsible for the content on the pages of friends, fans, or followers of the library. The library does not endorse or review content of third-party sites.

User Responsibilities and Use Restrictions

Users of all ages have the responsibility to protect their privacy and should not post personally identifying information, such as last name, school, age, phone number or address. The library does not act in place of, or in the absence of, a parent.

Users may not post comments, tags and images that impinge on another's privacy or that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory. Violations include, but are not limited to:

• off-topic and/or disruptive posts
• commercial promotions or spam
• duplicated posts from the same individual
• threatening  language and personal attacks
• private, personal information published without consent
• obscene or libelous content
• copyright infringement/plagiarized material
• political advocacy
• posts that violate laws or library policies

MCPL will periodically evaluate the role and utility of its online venues and social media, which may be terminated at any time.

Related library policies include:

Internet and Computer Use Policy
Privacy Policy Regarding Web and Email Communications

Approved by the MCPL Board of Trustees March 23, 2011