Social Media Guidelines and Procedures
Social Media Purpose
The purpose of Northwest Vista College Library’s social media team is to engage with our students, employees, and community to circulate information about and promote library news, events, resources, and services. Through active and thoughtful engagement, we aim to create a welcoming and respectful online environment that fosters lifelong learning and curiosity. Our team is committed to building meaningful connections by highlighting the multifaceted voices and stories within our community. We strive to keep our audience informed, inspired, and connected to the educational and cultural opportunities the library offers.
1. SOCIAL MEDIA DEFINED
1.1 Social media is changing at a rapid pace. Software available today may not be available tomorrow and there is always the potential for new software to enter the market. The following definition of social media applies to technologies currently being used by the NVC library, as well as those potentially adopted by the library at a later date. Examples include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, LibGuides and X.
1.2 Social media as defined by the NVC Library is any software or tool provided by the library which allows for open communication between the library, library users and the local community regarding appropriate topics.
2. GUILDELINES FOR COMMENTS/POSTS:
2.1 Please note that some social media software used by the library may require you to provide us with private information such as your name, telephone number, or email address. The NVC library will not disclose your information to any third party or send you any unsolicited information. Communications received from the library will only be as requested by library users.
The library will reply to all questions submitted through social media in a timely manner during normal operating hours. Please note that our hours of operation change during the year. See the library home page at http://www.alamo.edu/nvc/library/ for current hours.
2.2 NVC Library is eager to engage with our community. We support open communication and the spread of ideas through social media. The library welcomes engagement with our community through posts, comments and messages. All engagements are considered public property. We ask that your comments be appropriate, polite, and on-topic.
2.2.1 Appropriate social media comments include, but are not limited to:
• Library services and polices.
• Questions or comments exchanged between library staff and library users.
• Faculty development opportunities held in the library or on campus.
• Library collections, events and exhibits.
• Announcements for campus wide events.
• Tips and resources for student/faculty research.
• Information regarding changes in hours/services due to holidays, etc.
• Any additional library-related items deemed appropriate by the staff of the library.
2.2.2 Inappropriate social media comments include, but are not limited to:
• Topics not related to the NVC Library.
• Posts that violate copyright and/or intellectual property rights.
• Comments with language meant to slander, defame, threaten, or intimidate social media users.
• Posts that contain spam or advertising.
• Private personal information published without the consent of the individual.
• Posts worded to give the impression they are endorsed by the library and library staff.
2.2.3 To keep our social media sites clean and up-to-date, posts with accompanying comments will be archived on a regular basis.
2.2.4 The NVC library accepts no liability for any comments or the content of any links, videos, photos, etc posted on its social media sites by third parties. All third party comments expressed on any social media site used by NVC Library are solely those of the individual poster only. The NVC Library is not liable for the content, credibility, reliability, or accuracy of any links posted on its social media sites by third parties.
3. CHILDREN USING MEDIA IN THE LIBRARY
Children are welcome in the Northwest Vista College Library and the Cub Corner as long as they are accompanied at all times by a parent(s) or legal guardian. For more information please see the "Children in the Library" procedure.
The library is not responsible for information a child views or listens to from the library’s collection, from the Internet through the library’s computers or through any social media software used by the library.
Updated: August 2025
Approved by Director of Library Services, Norma Vélez-Vendrell