Social Media Policy

INTRODUCTION AND POLICY PURPOSE

Meridian Library District’s (MLD) identity, image, and brand must be cohesive, intentional, and strategic. The Marketing Specialist is responsible for integrated communication to all constituencies and audiences, and therefore maintains authority over any communication administered on behalf of MLD. 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity, and to protect the identity and image of MLD by providing a set of required standards for social media content from any department, entity, or affiliate. 

All social media content under the jurisdiction of MLD (i.e., content on MLD servers or on servers funded by MLD budgets, or content that uses MLD’s brand or likeness) must comply with local, state and federal laws and regulations, and MLD’s policies, rules and regulations. 

OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS

The Marketing Specialist maintains official social media and/or online accounts on behalf of MLD. These accounts promote MLD activities, events, and educational opportunities by providing timely, engaging, and relevant content that assists in building broad-based support for MLD’s mission, vision, and relationship with the public.

Only an employee or approved representative authorized by the Marketing Specialist (collectively, the “page administrators”) may hold administrative access to an MLD-related social media and/or online account.

The Marketing Specialist is responsible for maintaining a current list of all site URLs, the names of all page administrators, and the usernames and passwords associated with these accounts.

Any entity seeking to create an account on any social media and/or online platform on behalf of MLD must gain approval from the Marketing Specialist prior to establishing the account.

LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM

Users and visitors to MLD’s social media and/or online sites shall be notified that the intended purposes of the site are to serve as a mechanism of communication between MLD’s page administrators and members of the public. Submission of comments by members of the public constitutes participation in a limited public forum. A comment posted by a member of the public on any MLD social media and/or online site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of the comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, MLD, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of MLD. Comments by MLD page administrators on MLD social media and/or online sites shall be allowed only when consistent with the provisions of this policy. Comments by the general public shall be allowed on limited public forums, such as MLD social media and/or online sites, only when consistent with the provisions of this policy. Comments containing any of the following inappropriate forms of content shall not be permitted on any type of MLD social media and/or online site and are subject to editing, removal or restriction, in whole or in part, by MLD page administrators: 

• Comments not topically related to the particular social medium thread or topic or article being commented upon (for example, if a MLD page administrator posts an article about library classes, and a user posts a negative comment about a MLD employee);
• Comments in support of or in opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures, with the exception of informational posts approved in advance by the MLD Library Director;
• Profane, obscene, or sexual language or content or links to such language or content;
• Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression;
• Solicitation of commerce, including but not limited to, advertising of any business or product for sale;
• Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
• Defamatory or personal attacks;
• Threats to any person or organization;
• Conduct or encouragement of activity that violates any federal, state, or local law; or
• Conduct that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party.

If illegal activity occurs, page administrators are expected to secure the information and notify the local police department.

MLD reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of this policy or any applicable law or regulation. Content submitted for posting that is deemed not suitable for posting by MLD page administrators because it is not topically related to the particular subject being commented upon, or is otherwise deemed prohibited content based on the criteria set forth in this policy, must be retained in accordance with the relevant records retention  schedule.

This policy governing comments on MLD sites shall be displayed on all limited public forums or made available via hyperlink from MLD’s official website.

CONTENT MANAGEMENT

Page administrators representing MLD on MLD social media and/or blog sites must conduct themselves at all times as representatives of MLD in accordance with all MLD policies, standards, and regulations. Page administrators are personally responsible, and may be legally liable, for the content they publish on social media and/or online sites.

ADVERTISING, MARKETING, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

MLD makes it a priority to comply with Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45. Section 5 of the FTC Act reflects the four basic truth-in-advertising principles.

PUBLIC RECORDS

MLD social media and/or online sites are subject to Idaho Public Records Law. Any content maintained in a social media and/or online format that is related to MLD’s business, including a list of subscribers and posted communication, is a public record. Therefore, there should be no expectation of privacy in the information posted on MLD social media and/or online sites. MLD is responsible for responding completely and accurately to any public records request for public records on social media and/or online sites. Content related to MLD business shall be maintained in an accessible format so that it can be produced in response to a request. Whenever possible, such sites shall clearly  indicate that any articles and any other content posted or submitted for posting are subject to public disclosure. Users shall be notified that public disclosure requests must be directed to the relevant departmental public disclosure officer. Idaho law and relevant MLD records retention schedules apply to social media and/or online formats and content.

OPEN MEETINGS

MLD’s governing body should refrain from using MLD or other social media and/or blog sites to discuss MLD’s business or make a decision in violation of Idaho’s Open Meeting Law. 

MLD may use social media and/or blog sites to gather public input and foster public discussion related to MLD’s role and functions, provided that the use is authorized in accordance with and conforms to this policy.

Information that MLD posts on its social media and/or blog sites will supplement, not replace, required notices and standard methods of providing warnings, postings, and notifications required for public meetings and hearings under Idaho law.

Approved by Meridian Library District Board of Trustees July 19, 2017

Revised March 15, 2023