Social Media

Purpose

This policy establishes acceptable practices for FFPLTC staff who, in the course of their work, engage in the use of social media on behalf of FFPLTC, and the public who may respond to library posts on social media. Official FFPLTC social media accounts may include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, blogs and Pinterest.

Personal Use of Social Media

1. Personal use of social media should be respectful of the FFPLTC, staff, board members, volunteers, library users and the community. While online activity can be a medium of self-expression, actions, writing and content may also reflect the FFPLTC if one’s name and/or areas of social media engagement are linked to the FFPLTC.
2. When engaging in social media or online forums outside of work, FFPLTC Staff should make it clear that the views they express about the FFPLTC, or community related issues, are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the FFPLTC.

Business Use of Social Media

1. Staff are encouraged to use social media tools for the benefit of the FFPLTC. This may include:
   1. general research on work-related issues;
   2. following social media as part of ongoing professional development;
   3. proposing the use of social media applications in library services to improve customer service;
   4. promoting library services, programs and resources;
   5. Staff or user training
2. While the FFPL Board supports the use of social media, the need to protect the FFPLTC’s image means that:
   1. Any proposal by staff to use social media applications to expand library services or promote the library requires the approval of the CEO.
   2. Staff representing the library on social media sites express the official
      position of the FFPLTC on any issue. Posts must be professional and accurate.
   3. the library’s social media profiles are the intellectual property of the FFPLTC and not of the individual tasked with maintaining them.
   4. The FFPLTC welcomes the opportunity to have open and respectful conversation with the public via social media. Content containing any of the following from staff or members of the public is prohibited from FFPLTC’s social media channels:
      1. Obscene language or sexual content;
      2. Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, colour, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity;
      3. Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language;
      4. Slanderous or defamatory remarks or potentially libelous statements;
      5. Plagiarized material;
      6. Confidential patron or staff information;
      7. Promotion of political candidates;
      8. Promotion of illegal activity;
      9. Comments unrelated to the content of the forum
      10. Hyperlinks to material that is not directly related to the discussion
      11. Commercial promotions or spam
   5. FFPLTC reserves the right to remove any content that is deemed in violation of this policy or any applicable law. The individual responsible for its posting may be banned from further posts on FFPLTC social media channels. Additionally, FFPLTC reserves the right to edit or modify responses and content with respect to postings and requests.
   6. All FFPLTC social media accounts will be monitored by staff during regular opening hours. Staff will attempt to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner, however contacting the library through official channels is recommended when time sensitivity is an issue. The FFPLTC assumes no responsibility for lack of service due to third-party related downtime or service disruptions.
   7. Parents, guardians and caregivers must assume responsibility for minors posting content on FFPLTC social media channels and are encouraged to discuss privacy concerns, safety and respectful use of social media resources with their children.
   8. Users should also be cognizant of the fact that they are posting content in a public forum and take appropriate measures.
   9. The FFPLTC cannot guarantee the accuracy of information posted by individuals and links to external content and sites.
   10. By posting content, the user agrees to these terms and to indemnify the FFPLTC and its officers and employees from and against all liabilities, judgments, damages and costs (including attorney's fees) incurred by any of them which arise out of or are related to the posted content.