Social Media Policy

Purpose

Westerly Library & Wilcox Park (WLWP) is owned and operated by the Memorial and Library Association (Association). Its use of social media is intended to create a welcoming online space, and to communicate useful and entertaining information that helps to fulfill its mission and vision. Its primary audience is community members of the towns of Westerly, RI and Stonington, CT as well as library visitors and supporters.

Definition

WLWP defines “Social media” as any website, application, platform, or digital account that allows public user response or comments to share information, ideas, messages, and other content (such as videos) about library and park related subjects and information. Examples of social media include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, X, Bluesky, TikTok, LinkedIn, blogs, and wikis.

WLWP Rights and Responsibilities

• All WLWP social media sites are subject to administrative oversight by the Executive Director or their designee.
• WLWP social media sites will state that they are maintained by WLWP and conform to its Social Media Policy.
• The Director of Marketing and Communications and/or their designee(s) will monitor content on WLWP social media sites to ensure adherence to this policy, the interests and goals of WLWP, clear and consistent messaging, and WLWP’s Social Media Strategy.
• All WLWP social media sites will adhere to applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
• WLWP reserves the right to delete or hide any content that is deemed in violation of this policy or any applicable law.
• WLWP recognizes and respects the varying thoughts and opinions of the community it serves. WLWP is committed to moderating content in a viewpoint-netural way.
• WLWP reserves the right to close comments at a predetermined time or volume and not in response to commentary received.
• WLWP will use social media tools as consistently as possible. Its website, westerlylibrary.org, will remain its primary and predominant online presence.

Public Usage

WLWP conducts occasional calls for survey responses, comments, or interactions with the public. By engaging with us through social media, users agree to abide by our Social Media Policy as well as the standards of ethics and conduct delineated below. These guidelines are created to supplement, not replace, existing WLWP policies. Note that:

• WLWP is not responsible for user-generated content.
• Comments expressed on its social media accounts do not reflect the views or positions of the Association, its Board of Trustees, or its employees.
• Social media users should exercise their own judgement about the quality and accuracy of any information presented through social media.
• Individuals are fully responsible for their libelous or defamatory comments.
• WLWP social media platforms will not be used by WLWP to collect user data. Information shared by patrons will not be kept by WLWP or used by WLWP for other purposes. Please see our Patron Privacy Policy for more information. WLWP is not responsible for the data collection of the social media platforms and services. Please see the privacy policies and terms of services for information about the social media platform’s personal data practices.

All social media comments, posts and messages are regularly monitored, managed, and reviewed by designated WLWP employees. WLWP reserves the right to remove comments that are in violation of this policy at any time. WLWP will comply with notice-and-takedown requests made pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

Content containing the following will be removed: 

• Off-topic, unrelated comments
• Unlawful speech or activity
• Disrespectful, inflammatory comments
• Obscene, racist or otherwise threatening comments
• Abusive language, personal attacks or insults
• Harassment, stalking, abusive behavior
• Plagiarized material
• Information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
• Involuntary or nonconsensual release of personal information
  • Commercial promotions, spam or organized political activity
    • Duplicate posts from the same individual

Individuals who make criminal threats against the safety of any person or WLWP will be reported to authorities and the platform and be immediately blocked from all social media sites and WLWP property. These threats include but are not limited to threats of bodily harm, threats of damage to property, and death threats.

Individuals who violate this policy repeatedly or in a singularly egregious manner may be blocked from WLWP social media sites and/or facilities and authorities may be contacted. Any social media participant/user who has been blocked or had a message/content deleted may appeal this decision, in writing or email, to the Executive Director. The Executive Director may affirm or reverse the decision within 30 days of receiving the written appeal.

WLWP Employee Responsibilities

All WLWP employees must follow all WLWP policies and expectations. Employees posting on WLWP social media sites during work or personal time should be aware that information they display or comments they make on WLWP’s social media sites may be viewed as representing official WLWP information or comments. 

Only designated WLWP employees may directly publish or comment via social media using the WLWP name and logo. WLWP employees are not authorized to create new social media channels on behalf of WLWP. Requests for channels, campaigns, or initiatives should be coordinated with the Director of Marketing and Communications based on need and alignment with WLWP goals and objectives.

Employees should refer to the Use of Social Media Policy in the Employee Handbook for more information.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on May 20, 2025.