The Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library (ARWPL) uses social media in several forms. ARWPL staff maintains and edits the content of ARWPL social media sites to comply with Library policies. All social media sites must have the approval of the Library Director before online publication.

Library social media is intended to create a welcoming online space where Library users will find useful and entertaining information and opportunities to interact with staff and other users.

Social media is defined as any web application, site or account used by the Library for sharing opinions and information about library-related subjects and issues.

Social media tools will be utilized by the Library to encourage community involvement and to create dialog between the Library and its patrons regarding library services, resources, events and programs, and community information.

The Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library does not endorse the advertisements promoted on any social media site and these ads do not express the ARWPL’s views or positions.

All ARWPL social media sites shall include a disclaimer stating “This site is not owned or supported by the Village of Waterloo. All content is maintained and edited by Library staff in compliance with applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations, and Library policies.”

Public Posts and Comments

Comments, posts, and messages are allowed on the Library’s social networking sites as long as they conform to the Library social media policy. All interactions will be regularly monitored by staff and reviewed for content and relevancy. By commenting and posting on the Library-hosted social media sites, users agree to the ARWPL’s social media policy. The Library reserves the right to refrain from posting user submissions or comments, or to remove or edit them at any time.

Individuals who violate the Library’s social media policy may be banned, at the discretion of the Library Director, from ARWPL’s social media sites and/or facilities, and authorities may be contacted.

The following guidelines must be adhered to:

  • Stay on topic. Comments and posts should be library related.
  • Duplicate posts from the same individual will be deleted.
  • Don’t include personal information about yourself or others.
  • The Library is not responsible for user-generated content. A posted comment is the opinion of the user only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement or agreement by the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library.
  • Spam and commercial content will be removed. The Library will remove posts or comments used for campaigns, political, religious or commercial purposes, or for soliciting funds.
  • Gratuitous links to sites are viewed as spam and will result in removal of the comment.
  • Individuals should not post anything that they do not have the right to post due to copyright violations.
  • Posts containing offensive, obscene, threatening or abusive language, or hate speech are strictly prohibited and will be deleted. Individuals are fully responsible for libelous or defamatory comments.
  • No harassing, stalking, abusive or unlawful behavior will be tolerated.
  • Users may report concerns and Library Director will respond as soon as possible.
  • By submitting content to ARWPL’s social media sites, you are granting permission for ARWPL to use your name, photo and any content contained within the post without compensation to you or liability on the part of the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library.

Responding to Public Posts

Library staff will monitor and respond to public comments, posts and questions as soon as possible. Library staff and the Director are to remain neutral in library-related posts and in response to questions, offering resources for information that help people to make informed decisions.

Staff Postings

Staff members posting on the Library’s social media sites on personal time should be aware that information they display or comments they make on Library social media sites may be viewed by other users as representing official Library-sponsored information or comments.

While Library staff members are Village employees, staff should refrain from discussions involving local government and stick to community/Library-related topics. Therefore, in utilizing Library social media websites, staff must follow the applicable guidelines set forth in the Village of Waterloo Personnel Manual 3.18 Social Media Policy; Employee Guidelines for participating in Social Networking.

Violation of ARWPL’s social media policy by the public or staff will be reported to the Library Director. Staff must be aware of copyrighted and trademarked materials. Staff must not place information, intellectual property, logos, trademarks or photos protected by copyright and trademark laws without the permission of the owner. ARWPL staff is not authorized to create new social media channels on behalf of the Library without expressed authority to do so by the Library Director.

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Approved by the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library Board of Trustees on May 29, 2018.