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The Rowan Public Library Social Media Policy

Policy Statement:
The Rowan Public Library endeavors to inspire the spirit of exploration and the power
of imagination, promote the joy of reading, and support the life-long pursuit of knowledge for all
people. (Rowan Public Library) To help achieve these goals, the library uses a variety of social
software applications. The librarys social media participation is being used to aid in the Rowan
County Communitys pursuit of knowledge. The library also uses social media to cultivate
positive communication with library patrons and announce library programs, events, services,
resources, both digital and physical, and courses.
Social Software Applications/Social Media Defined:
The Rowan Public Library has identified the popularity of current forms of social media
and the benefits to using them as resources to deliver services to its patrons. Social media is
defined as (but not limited to): blogging, wikis, instant messaging, sites designed for personal
comment (such as news editorial sites), and sites designed for sharing personal information (such
as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube).
Twitter is a social media site that allows users to send updates of 140 characters or less
in length. The library uses Twitter to keep patrons informed of upcoming programs and events
both in the library and the literary world.
Facebook is a social media site that allows users to share, view and comment on updates,
photos, videos and web links. The library uses Facebook to keep patrons informed of news and
upcoming events at the library, such as programs, classes, services, and closings.
Feedback posted on a library social networking site is welcome. Postings will be
supervised regularly by library staff1 for content and significance.
The Rowan Public Library assumes no liability regarding any event or interaction which
may arise out of posted content.

Emma Rose is the Social Media Coordinator and maintains the social media applications with
the assistance of various other librarians and staff members within the Rowan Public Library
System. For more information feel free to contact her by E-mail
emma.rose@rowancountync.gov or telephone 704-216-7842

Users should be aware that third party websites have their own policies, including privacy
policies, and should proceed accordingly.
As with more traditional resources, the library does not act in place of or in the absence
of a parent and is not responsible for enforcing any restrictions which a parent or guardian may
place on a minors use of this resource.
The Rowan Public Library has the option to post, remove, delete or choose not to post
any statements, comments, images, or links made by users or staff members which are felt to
violate that environment or that would be inappropriate in its physical facilities. These include
(but are not limited to):

Obscene, sexist or racist content


Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
Defamatory speech
Potentially libelous statements
Plagiarized or copyrighted material
Private, personal information published without consent
Comments totally unrelated to the content of the forum
Hyperlinks to material that is not directly related to the discussion or the library
Commercial promotions or spam
Organized political activity
Any material disruptive to the general purposes and services of the library
Photos or other images/media that fall in any of the above categories

Personal Accounts:
The library assumes no responsibility for personal accounts that are maintained by its
staff members. Staff members are not permitted to represent the library in any way by using their
personal accounts without the prior permission of the director.

References
Anderson Public Library (2012). Social Media Policy. Anderson, IN. Retrieved from
http://www.and.lib.in.us/clientuploads/Policies/Social%20Media%20Policy.pdf
Duluth Public Library (2013). Social Media Policy. Duluth, MN. Retrieved from
http://www.duluth.lib.mn.us/about- your- library/policies/social- media-policy/
Frisco Public Library. Social Media Policy. Frisco, TX. Retrieved from http://friscolibrary.com/
social-media-policy
Haverhill Public Library (2011). Social Networking Policy. Haverhill, MA. Retrieved from
http://www.haverhillpl.org/about/policies/social-networking-policy/
Rowan Public Library (2010). Strategic Plan 2010-2015. Salisbury, NC. Retrieved from
http://www.rowancountync.gov/Portals/0/Government/Departments/Public%20Library/d
ownloads/files/Strategic%20Plan%20FY2010-15.pdf
Thomas Crane Public Library (2012). Social Media Policy. Quincy, MA. Retrieved from
http://thomascranelibrary.org/sites/default/files/Social%20Media%20Policy.pdf

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