Library Sponsored Social Media:
Only those Garnet A. Wilson Public Library employees assigned as managers/editors of the library’s social media sites should be participating on those sites during work hours. These representatives should present content in a professional manner, including but not limited to the following: checking facts, citing sources, avoiding copyright infringement, presenting balanced views, acknowledging, and correcting errors, and checking grammar and spelling before posting.
Content that is posted on library-sponsored social media sites is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and records retention requirements. Employees who manage Garnet A. Wilson Public Library social media accounts are responsible for ensuring that passwords and other access controls are of adequate strength and kept secure.
Employee Personal Use of Social Media:
Library employees have the same right to self-expression as other members of the general public when discussing matters of public concern. However, as public employees, library employees are cautioned that speech made pursuant to official duties is not protected speech under the First Amendment, and may result in disciplinary action if deemed a violation of any policy of GAWPL. As an employee, it is important to keep in the mind the following best practices when posting content about library-related subjects and issues on personal time.
- If you identify yourself as a library employee, make it clear that the views expressed are yours alone, and do not represent the views of the library.
- You may not represent that you are speaking or posting on behalf of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library without the permission of the Executive Director. You should never represent yourself as a spokesperson for the library unless you are designated a spokesperson for the library.
- Do not share confidential or proprietary information, or anything that is still in draft form.
- Do not make any negative, mocking, condescending, or inappropriate comments about patrons, specific questions from patrons, or about patron behavior on the library’s social media sites.
- The library does not endorse, monitor, or review the content of employee’s personal social media accounts and activity.
- Employee use of social media is limited during work hours- abuse of rule may lead to disciplinary meeting.
- You are responsible for what you post online. Before posting you should remember that despite privacy policies, you cannot always be sure who will view, share, or archive your posts.
- Keep in mind that any conduct that adversely affects your job performance, the job performance of other staff members, the public, or entities we work with, or otherwise adversely affects the legitimate business interests of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library, may result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.
- You may not post content that violates any local subdivision or Garnet A. Wilson Public Library’s policies against unlawful harassment and discrimination. Postings that include discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar unlawful conduct will not be tolerated.
- Do not use the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library logo or graphics in any way that might suggest to others that the library is endorsing your post. Do not post anything that identifies you as a library employee in what appears to be an illegal or immoral act, or in violation of any local subdivision or Library policy, even if it is being done as a joke.