What's in a library staff social media policy?

I didn't realize until reading Daniel Hooker's blog entry in socialibrarian, that "few institutions have drafted acceptable use policies for their employees or students."  He reiterates that best practices and appropriate use need to be at the forefront of any library's online initiatives to make the library's social media presence clear and unified.  Libraries are developing policies outlining acceptable-use guidelines for blogs and the use of other social media for both staff and users alike.    

Ellyssa Kroski's 2009 article "Should Your Library Have a Social Media Policy?" in the October issue of School Library Journal cites only seven libraries with existing library policies at the time.  As I perused the policies of these seven libraries (where 2 out of the 7 are California-based in Kern County and Monterey), I noticed that several of the library social media/networking policies are adapted from other libraries' established policies, not mentioned.  For example, Kern County Library's Social Network Guidelines is adapted from the Washoe County Library System Social Software Policy, which in turn is adapted by the Newton Free Library's Services Blog Policy, which is finally adapted with permission by Computerworld’s Blog Comments Policy.  Similarly, Whitman Public Library's Social Networking Policy is adapted from the Newton Free (MA), Berkeley Public (CA) and Niagara Falls Public (NY) Libraries.

Per Kroski, a social media policy is a useful way to set some ground rules for employees with regard to their online activities and a reminder that the content they post isn't private and may reflect on the organization.  For staff members who are posting on behalf of the organization along with employees with personal social media accounts, a social media policy such as staff blogging policies can help establish clear guidelines and standards.   

What sorts of rules should be included in a library staff social media policy?  

• Use a disclaimer by stating your opinions are yours alone and not your employers
• Don't share secrets by disclosing private, sensitive or proprietary information
• Be yourself by being candid about who you are and your professional role
• Respect copyright by citing sources and/or linking them within blog posts
• Respect your colleagues by considering the privacy of your coworkers
• Avoid online fights by voicing your opinion in a professional manner
• Post accurate information by researching facts and providing supporting sources
• Consult the employee manual for behavior guidelines and existing policies
• Use good judgement by thinking about the type of image you want to convey
• Provide value to your community by offering recommendations and services
• Accept responsibility by admitting any wrongdoing, be honest and apologize

Kroski further suggests that libraries consider sponsoring an employee training or orientation sessions in the use of the social Web to educate staff about privacy issues and what they should and shouldn't be posting online.  Composing the policy document in the form of a wiki also allows libraries to update their social media policy as new technologies develop.  Establishing a library staff social media policy with these guidelines will unify all employees to use social media in an informed manner.   

Hooker, D. (2009). "The Dearth of Social Media Policy Development." socialibrarian
     Retrieved from http://blog.danielhooker.com/2009/10/18/the-dearth-of-social-media-policy-development/
Kroski, E. (2009). "Should Your Library Have a Social Media Policy?"  School Library Journal
     Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6699104.html