Social Media Policy
Purpose
The Alton Public Library uses social media to increase awareness of library resources, programs, and services; to engage with the community; and to promote the free exchange of ideas and information in keeping with the library’s mission.
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the use of social media by the library and its staff, and to outline appropriate use and expectations for public participation on the library’s social media platforms.
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Definition of Social Media
For the purpose of this policy, “social media” refers to any online platform or digital tool that allows users to create, share, or comment on content.
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Library-Managed Accounts
a. All official social media accounts representing the Alton Public Library must be created and managed by authorized staff with approval from the Library Director.
b. Passwords and account credentials must be securely stored and shared only with authorized personnel.
c. All content posted on official library accounts must support the library’s mission, vision, and values and adhere to applicable laws, including copyright, privacy, and public records laws.
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Staff Use and Responsibilities
a. Library staff managing social media shall:
•    Post accurate, respectful, and timely content.
•    Avoid political advocacy or personal opinions.
•    Respond to public comments in a courteous and professional manner.
•    Immediately report inappropriate or threatening comments to the Library Director.
b. Staff should not use personal accounts to represent the library or to communicate official library messages.
c. Personal social media use by staff during work hours should be limited to breaks or non-working time, and should comply with the library’s personnel policy.
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Public Use and Commenting Guidelines
The library welcomes public comments, but to maintain a respectful and inclusive online environment, comments and posts containing the following may be removed:
•    Obscene, defamatory, or threatening language;
•    Personal attacks, harassment, or discriminatory remarks;
•    Hate speech or content targeting individuals or groups;
•    Promotion of commercial services or products;
•    Political campaigning or lobbying;
•    Copyright violations or illegal activity;
•    Off-topic comments not related to library programs or services;
•    Multiple identical posts (“spam”).
Repeated violations may result in the user being blocked or restricted from commenting, in accordance with applicable laws and First Amendment protections.
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Privacy and Public Records
a. The library does not collect, sell, or share personal information from its social media sites, but users should be aware that all comments and messages may become public records subject to disclosure under Iowa Code Chapter 22 (Iowa Open Records Law).
b. The library is not responsible for user-generated content or external links posted by others.
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Content Removal and Monitoring
a. Library staff may monitor social media pages regularly to ensure compliance with this policy.
b. The library reserves the right to remove content that violates this policy, or any applicable laws, without prior notice.
c. Removed content will be documented (screenshot, date, and reason for removal) and kept on file for recordkeeping.
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 Copyright and Ownership
a. Content created by library staff for official social media is the property of the Alton Public Library.
b. When reposting or sharing third-party content, proper credit or permissions must be provided.
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Enforcement
Failure to follow this policy may result in removal of posts, restriction of access, or disciplinary action (for staff), depending on the severity of the violation.

(Adopted November 2025)