The Virginia Library Association (VLA) develops, promotes, and improves library and information services, library staff, and the profession of librarianship in order to advance literacy and learning and to ensure access to information in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Definition of Social Media for VLA
Social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue. It is a collection of online platforms and tools used to share content, profiles, opinions, insights, experiences, perspectives and media itself, facilitating conversations and interactions online among VLA members and those interested in VLA activities. It can include, but is not limited to, such formats as blogs, listservs, web sites, social network pages or posts (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, etc.)
Policy
The Association offers social media tools for professional and recreational use of its members as part of its efforts to:
- Provide excellent member service
- Provide excellent advocacy efforts
- Provide excellent conferences
- Provide excellent continuing education opportunities
- Provide excellence in communications
- Provide excellence in organizational structures
VLA social media tools provide a designated public forum to facilitate the sharing of ideas, opinions, and information about library-related subjects and issues. The organization’s social media is intended to create a welcoming and inviting online space where members will find useful and entertaining information and where individuals can interact with library workers within the Commonwealth and beyond.
Responsibilities and Comment Guidelines
All VLA social media platforms, including those created by committees or individual forums, must be approved by VLA Council and must have a designated party responsible for the maintenance and administration of each site. All VLA designated social media will be considered limited public forums where users are expected to stay on topic and abide by federal and state laws. All content must be clearly written in a professional tone. Contributors should post information of value to library workers throughout the Commonwealth that reflect positively on VLA and its members. Contributors should check facts, cite sources when appropriate, present balanced viewpoints, acknowledge and correct errors, check spelling and grammar, and ensure copyright compliance. The VLA Executive Director, Council, and members of the Publications Committee may moderate comments. VLA reserves the right to remove comments that are deemed inappropriate.
Inappropriate Posts
The Virginia Library Association reserves the right to modify or remove any messages or posts that:
- Use offensive or threatening language, insults, or personal attacks
- May be considered libelous or defamatory
- Include private or personal information
- Violate copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right of any third party
- Do not relate to the purpose of VLA
- Are considered spam or commercial in nature
The Virginia Library Association is not obligated to modify or remove any posts, and will not be responsible or liable for content posted by any individual in a VLA-sponsored social media platform.
Expressions of Concern
The Virginia Library Association welcomes feedback from its members and the general public. Any individual with a concern about a post on a VLA sponsored social media platform may contact the VLA Executive Director at: Lisa Varga, VLA Executive Director (vla.lisav@cox.net).