Introduction
For the purposes of this policy, social software includes any communication or interactive tool based on the internet. It takes a variety of forms including, but not limited to, instant messaging, chat, collaborative software, internet forums, wikis, blogs, collaborative work software, social networks, and online game platforms/virtual worlds.
Purpose
The Ashtabula County District Library uses social software for a variety of purposes, but principally as a tool to communicate and interact with patrons and foster constructive interaction between patrons.
General Provisions
The provisions of the General Code of Conduct apply to interactions via the Library’s social sites and accounts as they do in real world spaces. Patrons are further bound by any terms and/or conditions of service that govern the use of third-party platforms and services.
No expectation of privacy should be assumed while posting on Library-sponsored social software sites. Use of the Library’s social software sites gives the Library permission to use the user’s name and the content of any public post without compensation to the user or liability on the part of the Library. It is the user's responsibility to inform the Library about any change of permission status as it pertains to ongoing use initiated before the deletion of a posting.
Disclaimer
The Library is not responsible or liable for the content of postings by third parties on any Library-sponsored social software site, and such postings do not reflect the opinions or positions of the Ashtabula County District Library, its employees, or its Board of Trustees.
Rules for Posting or Commenting
Postings containing but not limited to the following are not permitted:
- Obscene content;
- Graphic or gratuitous violence;
- Specific or imminent threats;
- Discriminatory comments or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, age, sexual orientation/presentation, creed, or ancestry;
- Personal attacks, insults, sexual compliments, innuendos, suggestions, or jokes;
- Potentially libelous or defamatory statements;
- Privileged, proprietary, or confidential information about any person, business, or entity, including but not limited to staff, patrons, vendors, the Library, or Library partners;
- Copyright violations;
- Comments totally unrelated to the content of the forum;
- Hyperlinks to material not directly related to the discussion;
- Commercial promotions, advertising, or spam;
- Political activity.
Postings and comments are moderated by library staff and the Library reserves the right to remove comments at its discretion. The Library reserves the right to ban or block users who have posted in violation of this policy.