Definition of Social Media

Social media, for the purposes of this policy, refers to the platforms and digital tools used to create, share and engage with content and community online. This includes popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, as well as blogs, forums and other collaborative or interactive online spaces.

The Springfield-Greene County Library District (“The Library”) uses social media as a critical channel to:

• Promote Services and Events: Share information about programs, new materials and library updates.

• Engage with the Community: Build connections with patrons, answer questions and encourage interaction.

• Enhance Visibility: Strengthen the Library’s presence and accessibility online.

• Support Education and Literacy: Provide resources for learning and enrichment.

Library’s Use of Social Media

The Library is represented through official social media channels created and monitored by the Community Relations Department to ensure a clear and consistent message. Library staff are not authorized to create new social media channels on behalf of the library district. Requests for social media channels, campaigns or initiatives should be coordinated with the Community Relations Department to ensure alignment with the Library's goals and objectives. Questions or comments regarding social media content should be directed to the Director of Community Relations.

The Community Relations department monitors and responds to public comments, posts and questions. Across the district, a team of social media ambassadors provides content suggestions and branch- and department-specific information. Library staff and representatives are expected to remain neutral in library-related posts and in their responses to questions.

Public Comment

The Library encourages participation on all its social media platforms; however, we ask that users keep posts and comments appropriate for audiences of all ages. To ensure a welcoming, safe space for discussing Library services and programs, the Library reserves the right to remove content deemed inappropriate in its sole discretion. The Library also reserves the right to limit or disable comments on posts when discussions become unproductive, off-topic or inconsistent with these guidelines.

This includes, but is not limited to, posts or comments containing:

• Obscene content, profanity or hate speech

• Personal attacks, insults or threatening language

• Private or personal information, including phone numbers, addresses or requests for such information

• Potentially libelous statements

• Plagiarized or copyrighted material posted without permission

• Commercial, political or religious messages unrelated to Library business or the original post topic

• Solicitation of funds or promotion of private businesses or services

• Altered or misleading media, including AI-generated content that falsely represents Library services, staff or facilities.

The Library also reserves the right to ban or block users who violate this policy more than three times. The Library is not responsible for content posted by others on its social media platforms. User content reflects the opinion of the individual author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Library.

By commenting on or posting responses on the Library's social media sites, the participant grants the Library permission to use their name, photo, and any content in the post without compensation or liability on the part of the Library. This permission ends when the owner removes their post or submits a written request to The Library to have it deleted. The Library will not collect, sell or knowingly transfer to any third party any personally identifiable information related to social media engagement. Please be advised that social media platforms have their own privacy policies and should be carefully reviewed.

Content posted to The Library’s social media platforms, including comments and messages, may be considered public records and may be subject to retention and disclosure in accordance with Missouri Sunshine Law and The Library's records retention policies.

The Library is committed to addressing questions or concerns promptly. Social media accounts are monitored during regular business hours. Responses may not be immediate outside those hours. While we will respond to questions and concerns posted on our social media channels, the best way to ensure a prompt reply is to contact the Library Administration by email or phone.

Approved March 2026