Definition

“Social media” is defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as “forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).”

Guidelines

The Hepburn Library of Lisbon participates in social media for many reasons but primarily to communicate information about library services and resources, community news and activity, and to engage with the community about topics relevant to the library’s mission or goals.

Social media sites may have their own terms of service, privacy, acceptable behavior, and stated consequences for violating those terms of service. It is up to the user to review those terms of service prior to engaging in social media.

The Hepburn Library of Lisbon uses social media for community engagement on several levels, to be determined on a post-by-post basis:

The library posts information related to its programs, services, and operations. The library may also post information that is related to the Lisbon community, surrounding areas, or to library users in general.
The library may or may not seek comments on individual social media posts. The library reserves the right to close comments at a predetermined time and not in response to the commentary received.
All social media interaction should be appropriate for audiences of all ages.
The library strives to provide accurate, timely, and appropriate content on social media. However, social media users should exercise their own judgment about the quality and accuracy of any information presented through social media.
Public comments on social media do not reflect the views of positions of the library, trustees, or employees.
Unacceptable behavior by library patrons or the general public on library social media accounts that is not protected by the First Amendment, such as copyright violations, obscenity, child pornography, defamatory or libelous comments, or imminent or true threats against the library or individuals are prohibited and may result in deleting comments or blocking of the user.
Posting of unrelated material such as “spam”, illegal activities, items for sale, or other commercial solicitation on library social media accounts will be removed.
The library does not intend to infringe on the freedom of speech, but users are expected to maintain the same code of conduct online that is expected and enforced for in-person behavior within library property.
Reconsideration of social media posting or comment is subject to the same procedure as reconsideration of any other library materials or programming.

Technology Policy

The Hepburn Library of Lisbon provides free computing access to the community. The library’s goal is to provide digital literacy through a combination of desktop and/or portable devices. Wireless access is provided to patrons at no charge.

Technology hardware and software is reviewed annually in anticipation of including necessary upgrades in the next year’s budget. Upgrades to technology will be made after a review of current functionality, patron and staff usage, and future technology standards.

To ensure the best service to the community, library employees must remain current on how to use available technology and online resources. Employees are expected to attend relevant classes provided by the North Country Library System (NCLS) or other organizations.

The Library does not guarantee the computer system to be error free or without defect. The Library is not responsible for:

The actions of its patrons.
The accuracy or quality of information accessed through the computer.
Any damage or loss of data, or interruption of service patrons may suffer while using the computer.

Library users access the Internet at their own discretion and are responsible for any access points they reach.

Internet Sources

The library offers access to the Internet as an electronic means of reaching ideas and information and greatly expanding its information services beyond the traditional collections and resources. Because of this, the library has been recognized by the New York State Department of Education as an Electronic Doorway Library.

The Internet provides access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information. However, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. The user must evaluate the validity of the information sources. The library cannot control the accuracy of information, the validity of the information, availability of links, nor the availability of material that some may find offensive. As is the case with other media – film, print, television, and music – it is the responsibility of parents to monitor and restrict access to material as they see fit.

Rules Governing Use

Use of computers is on a first-come first-served basis. No reservations may be made.
Computer time is limited to thirty minutes when other users are waiting.
Use is limited to a maximum of two people per computer at a time. Quiet must be maintained.
Computer use is limited to the hours that the library is open.
A user may save information to their own information storage device, such as a flash drive or cloud storage. The library does not provide storage devices, and no storage is allowed on the library computer’s hard drives. The library is not responsible for damage to data storage devices or any virus that may be transmitted to the data storage device.
No software, documents, photos or other materials may be downloaded or installed.
The library’s computers and/or software may not be modified or reconfigured by the user in any way—to include changing or adding screen savers and wallpaper, modifying passwords, or anything else that affects safety and security of other patron or staff.
No personal compact discs or programs requiring installation to the hard drive may be used on the library’s computers.
Headphones or earbuds must be worn when using multimedia programs. The library does not lend headphones for library users in an effort to reduce transmission of cold/influenza viruses, head lice, and other bacterial infections. Users may supply their own headphones/earbuds, or purchase earbuds from the circulation desk. Earbuds cost $1.00 per pair.
Computer volume shall be adjusted to ensure privacy of audio transmissions, and to avoid bothering others in the library.
All copyright regulations and software licensing agreements must be observed.
The computer system may not be utilized for commercial purposes: i.e. the purchase or selling of materials or services.
The user is responsible for any consequential damages arising from their use of the computer or the library’s software.
If something is broken or not working properly, please do not attempt to fix it yourself. Report the problem to library staff.
Exit from all programs when you are finished, but computers are to be left on after use.
A user must not use a PC to gain unauthorized access to the Library’s network or computer systems or to any other network or computer systems.
A user must not obstruct other people’s work by consuming large amounts of system resources or by deliberately crashing any library computer system.
A user must not make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance.
A user must not make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.
A user must not use any Library computer for any illegal or criminal purpose.
A user must not engage in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, or slanderous.
The visual, verbal or written use of the computer to receive or transmit harassing material is prohibited. Any misuse of this rule will result in suspension of the offending user’s computer privileges.
Patrons are not to display text or graphics that may be defined by State and/or Federal laws as illegal pornography, obscenity, or child pornography.
The privacy of other patrons using the Internet must be respected at all times. However, computers are located in a public area. Electronic transactions of information and viewing screens could become public. As a result, the Library cannot guarantee privacy or confidentiality.
The library supports the Freedom to View and Freedom to Read, but does not support offensive or harassing conduct. Because the library is a public place and computer screens are in open view of passersby and other computer users, the library reserves the right to direct any patron displaying sexually explicit, offensive, or harassing content on the computer screen to close the screen and refrain from displaying similar content. Failure to comply will result in loss of internet privileges. Library staff reserves the right to remove inappropriate materials from the computer and to instruct the patron to refrain from seeking similar sites. Library users who wish to view potentially offensive or harassing materials may use their personal devices in a discrete manner such that any potentially offensive content is not in view of other library users.
Interruption of service–due to periodic and temporary technical difficulties (to include lapse of internet or printer accessibility) may occur while using the computer. Such occurrences are unfortunate; the library cannot guarantee all systems to be operational at all times.
The library is not responsible for and assumes no liability for any loss of opportunity (to include financial, personal, or employment) perceived by any patron to have occurred due to an interruption of internet or computer service during use, or because of closure of the library for any reason.

Additional Rules Governing Computer and Internet Access by Minors

It is the policy of the library that parents or legal guardians are responsible for monitoring what library materials and resources, including internet access, are appropriate for their minor children (children under 14 and/or children 14 to 18 whose library card required endorsement by a parent or guardian).

If a parent or guardian allows the minor child access to the library, the library cannot and does not guarantee that the minor will not visit or encounter sites objectionable to the parent or guardian. Library employees will not be responsible for supervising minors while they are using the internet. Parents/guardians may wish to personally supervise their children’s internet sessions.