Social Media Policy
This policy is designed to ensure the proper use of the Berthoud Community Library District’s
social media by library staff, customers, and the public. The Berthoud Community Library
District (BCLD) uses and encourages the use of multiple social media platforms to reach new
audiences, engage with users more effectively, and enhance services by allowing greater
interaction and feedback. BCLD provides online spaces that offer an extension of library services and resources to connect users to library resources. BCLD welcomes public comments, posts, and messages on our social media networks. However, BCLD’s social media sites are not intended to be traditional public forums for the general exchange of ideas and viewpoints but a limited forum for discussing library programs, services, events, and resources.
Rules for Commenting and Posting
BCLD does not discriminate against any views but does reserve the right to monitor content
before or after it is posted to BCLD-owned social media sites and accounts. BCLD reserves the
right to edit or remove any messages or postings that it deems, in its sole discretion, to be
inappropriate or in violation of BCLD’s Behavior Policy.
Inappropriate content includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Copyright and/or intellectual property rights violations
• Off topic or disruptive comments
• Obscene posts
• Abusive or defamatory language and/or personal attacks
• Hateful or racist comments
• Libelous comments
• Misleading or inaccurate informationComments promoting or perpetuating
discrimination toward any person or group
• Commercial promotion or spam, advertising, or solicitation
• Specific and implied threats
• Endorsements of illegal behavior or activity
• Personal identifying information such as email addresses, telephone numbers, mailing
addresses, or ID numbers
Additionally, BCLD reserves the right to terminate a person’s ability to post, comment, or
otherwise participate in BCLD’s social media tools when the person has posted any of the above listed inappropriate content. Individuals are responsible for the content of their comments. By choosing to comment or post content on any social media site managed by BCLD, individuals agree to indemnify BCLD and its officers and employees from and against all liabilities, judgments, damages, and costs (including attorney’s fees) incurred by, arising out of, or related to the posted content. Content posted to the BCLD social media sites are subject to public disclosure and the Open Records Act.
Privacy
BCLD does not collect, maintain or otherwise use the personal information stored on any third party site (e.g., Meta, X, Pinterest) in any way other than to communicate with users on that site. Users should be aware that third party websites have their own privacy policies and should proceed accordingly.
Responsibility for Social Media
BCLD is represented through official social media channels created by the Technology and
Marketing Specialist or other staff members to maintain a clear and consistent message. The Technology and Marketing Specialist has responsibility for information posted on BCLD-owned social media accounts. As such, BCLD staff is not authorized to create new social media channels on behalf of the BCLD. The Technology and Marketing Specialist grants access and authority to employees to post, comment, and share under the profile of
BCLD.
While BCLD makes reasonable efforts to monitor the content of its digital and social media sites, BCLD is not responsible for the content of any external comment or post, and expressly disclaims any liability for external comments and posts.
Comments posted within BCLD social media sites will not be considered as official requests for information or action. Official correspondence and requests will be received per BCLD’s
Colorado Open Records Act (“CORA”) Policy.
Adopted November 9, 2022
Revised June 12, 2024