Policy Title: Library Social Media 
Policy Number: LP-015
Type of Policy: Library 
Last Reviewed Date: May 2025 
Next Review Date: July 2028 
Responsible Administrator: Dean of Libraries 
Policy Owner: Library
Contact Name: Erin Nagel 
Contact Title: Assessment and Marketing Librarian 
Contact Email: Library@clayton.edu 

Policy Statement:
The Clayton State Library social media policy is guided by the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. Ethical principles of special importance to social media use include those related to patron privacy and confidentiality, respect for intellectual property rights, and general courtesy, accuracy, and impartiality in interactions. 

Reason for Policy:
Library policies are created to assist students, faculty/staff, and community users with developing a welcoming and inviting study and research space within the library facility. Each policy explains who, how, and when the library building, resources, etc. can be accessed. In the event library property becomes lost or damaged, or there is a disturbance during operating hours, policies and procedures explain how these matters will be resolved. 

Policy Scope: 
This policy applies to Clayton State University library employees and all visitors to Clayton State University library social media platforms.

Policy: 
The Clayton State Library social media policy is guided by the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. Ethical principles of special importance to social media use include those related to patron privacy and confidentiality, respect for intellectual property rights, and general courtesy, accuracy, and impartiality in interactions. 
  

In support of these principles, users and administrators of library social media sites agree not to share content that: 

• contains personally identifiable information about oneself or others 
• infringes upon another’s intellectual property rights 
• is abusive, harassing, obscene, or discriminatory in nature 
• is spam or other commercial solicitation 
• violates any local, state, or federal law 
• violates any university or library policy, including the Student Code of Conduct 
  
  

In support of intellectual freedom and the open exchange of information made possible by social media, the library encourages community participation in its social media sites. Both library employees and community participants are expected to adhere to the library’s social media policy. 

The library’s social media policy exists in addition to the Clayton State University Social Media Guidelines. Where ambiguities between the two documents exist, the more restrictive policy or guideline will take precedence. The Assessment and Marketing Librarian serves as administrator for the library’s social media accounts.

 

Procedures: 
Any content found to be in violation of this policy will be removed and the originator warned. Repeat offenders will be banned or blocked from library social media sites and may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, the Employee Handbook, or the Faculty Handbook. 

 

Definitions:

Social media: Refers to online communication tools intended to share information with large groups and to develop social and professional connections. Examples include Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, blogs, etc. 

 

References/Sources:

1. American Library Association. “Code of Ethics of the American Library Association” 
2. Clayton State University Student Code of Conduct 
3. Clayton State University Social Media Guidelines 

Policy History: 

Revision Date	Author	Description
03/19/2013	Library Leadership	Effective date
11/12/2019	Library Leadership	Updated links
04/07/2025	Library Leadership	Reformatted to new template