Purpose: Sanilac District Library operates and maintains social media sites as a public service to provide information regarding Library services, programs, materials, events and activities.

Definition of Social Media: For the purposes of this policy, "social media" is understood to be electronic communication through which users create or interact in online spaces to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content. Social media includes any webpage or app through which SDL has an account and interacts with other users. Examples of social media include, but are not limited to: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), Tiktok, blogs and YouTube. For the purposes of this policy, "comments" include information, articles, pictures, videos or any other form of communicative content posted on an SDL social media site.

Social Media Posts Limited To Library Use Only: Sanilac District Library in its sole discretion may decide not to allow public posts and limit library social media to information provided by SDL only.  

Public Posts & Comments: While SDL respects differences in opinion, SDL’s social media sites are limited public forums; therefor   public posts and messages from other social media users are subject to review by SDL. SDL reserves the right to (but is not required to) remove any comment, post or message that it deems in violation of this Policy at any time without prior notice. The Rules are as follows:

1.      Privacy: Users should have no expectation of privacy when commenting on SDL posts or tagging SDL. Comments and posts could be read by anyone once posted, regardless of one’s friends, followers or subscribers list. SDL advises users against posting personal information or contact information on social media sites. Comments and posts may also be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

2.      Library’s Rights: SDL reserves the right to reproduce comments and posts tagging SDL in other public venues (ex: testimonials). Reproductions of this nature may be edited for space or content, but the original intent of the comment or post will be maintained.

3.      No Endorsement: SDL is not responsible for the content of posts made by third parties, including patrons, reviewers, advertisers and others who may post comments. Public posts by third parties do not reflect the positions of the Library, its employees or any individual Board member. 

4.      Unauthorized Content: To ensure a healthy, safe space to discuss SDL services, resources and events, content containing any of the following will be removed immediately:

a.       Obscene, illegal, sexually harassing, threatening or abusive speech or nudity.

b.      Any post that affects the safety and security of the Library, its property, patrons and staff or creates a hostile work environment.

c.       Private or personal information, including phone numbers and addresses or requests for personal information.

d.      Any statement by a user under a false name or any falsification of identity.

e.       Comments, links or information unrelated to the purpose of the library as a limited public forum.

f.        Spam or other commercial messages.

g.      Any postings that would violate the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, SDL Privacy Act or other Michigan or federal laws.

h.      Solicitation of funds.

i.        Any comment, post or other content that violates any person’s intellectual property rights, including but not limited to violations of the Copyright Act.  

j.        Any information deemed harmful to minors in violation of the Michigan Library Privacy Act.  

k.      Any post that violates any Library policy.

l.        Any images, links or other content that falls into the above categories.

5.      Third Party Usage Rules: In addition, users are expected to abide by the terms and conditions set by

third party social media platforms as well as follow appropriate federal and state laws.

Violations and Appeals of Usage Rules: SDL reserves the right to ban or block users who have posted in violation of this Policy or to delete posts or comments. To the extent SDL has sufficient contact information, SDL will message users who have been blocked or whose content is deleted to explain the issue and notify the person of the action. Any person who has been blocked or whose post or comment has been deleted has the right to appeal that decision to the SDL Board. The appeal should be sent to the SDL Director within 10 business days of the (1) decision to block or ban or (2) deletion of the post or comment, whichever is applicable. The SDL Board shall decide the appeal.

Privacy Information: SDL takes the issue of patron privacy very seriously. SDL requests that all patrons, including minors, using services on SDL’s website and social media sites to limit the amount of personal information   provided. SDL does not require more personal information than is necessary to participate. SDL encourages everyone to be mindful of (1) not revealing personal information online and (2) asking for permission before giving a last name or personal information to any website. The latter is particularly important for parents and caregivers to oversee and inform their children about the importance of privacy. For details on privacy of user records, refer to SDL’s Privacy Policy.

Third-Party Services: SDL enters into agreements with third parties to provide online services, digital collections and streaming media content, as well as to improve the website. The user may also connect with social networks and other users of these services. Third-party services may gather and disclose user information, including:

1.   Personal identifiable information knowingly provided by the user, including registration for the site, providing feedback and suggestions, requesting information or creating shared content;

2.  Other information that could identify the user, such as an IP address, search history, location-based data and device ID;

3.  Non-personally identifiable information, such as ad views, analytics, browser information (type and language), cookie data, date/time of request, demographic data, hardware/software type, interaction data, serving domains, page views and the web page visited immediately prior to visiting the site; and

4.   Other data may be collected as described in the vendor’s privacy policy and terms of use.

For more information on services and specific types of data that may be gathered and disclosed, please refer to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policies for the services used. A Third Party service may not be used if the Terms of Use and Privacy Policies are not accepted. In cases where patrons leave SDL's website by using links to visit another website, patrons are encouraged to learn the privacy policies of the visited website.

Cookies: A cookie is a small amount of data, which often includes a unique identifier that is sent to the user’s   computer, mobile phone or device browser from a website's computer and is stored on the user’s device hard drive. Each website could send its own cookie to the user’s browser if the browser preferences are set to allow it. Many websites do this whenever a user visits a website to track online traffic flows. Websites also use cookies to customize the user experience and preferences.

SDL may use cookies to verify authorized users in order to allow access to licensed SDL resources, to customize web pages, to help make the website more useful to visitors, learn about the number of visitors to the website and the types of technology that visitors use.

Some applications or external sites referred to from SDL web pages, devices or equipment also use cookies. For more information on the use of cookies by each service, please refer to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policies for the services used. Preferences may be set on web browsers to refuse cookies or to inform the user when a cookie is being sent. This may result in an inability to access some SDL services from computers outside the Library.

Privacy Statement: SDL’s primary website (https://sanilacdistrictlibrary.lib.mi ) is used for online access to resources and information about services and programs. Most of the information on SDL’s website may be used anonymously. Users with a valid SDL card may log in to access additional information that is specific to their account and use of library services. Specific details on privacy for use of SDL’s website may be found on SDL’s website.

Commitment to Online Accessibility

1.      SDL’s website is maintained to comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

2.  Restrictions and Terms of Use.

a.       Because communication via social media constitutes a limited public forum, SDL reserves the right to reject, restrict, remove, or block any content or user, that it deems to be in violation of this Policy or any applicable law.

b.      Comments shall relate to the topic being discussed in SDL’s original post and should be intended to further civil discussion.

c.       Content and comments posted to SDL social media accounts that contain any of the following shall not be permitted and are subject to removal and/or restriction by SDL social media account managers:

1.      Discriminatory messages and hateful speech of any kind toward any individual or group, including, but not limited to, age, gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or disability.

2.      Information that may compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems.

3.      Links to outside sites.

4.      Statements that are defamatory, harassing, threatening, profane, obscene, violent, bullying, sexual in nature and/or containing sexual references, libelous, or knowingly false with reckless disregard for the truth.

5.      Comments that suggest, promote, or encourage illegal activity.

6.      Copyrighted material posted without permission or content that violates the legal ownership interests of another party.

7.      Personal information, including, but not limited to, identification numbers, home addresses, personal phone numbers, email addresses, or other sensitive information.

8.      Commercial advertisement or solicitation.

9.      Comments and/or hyperlinks that are not topically related or out of context to the particular social media post or article being commented on.

10.     Multiple or repetitive posts that are copied and pasted.

11.     Details about an ongoing investigation or legal or administrative proceeding that could prejudice the process or could interfere with an individual’s rights and may interfere with or compromise current investigations, police tactics, and the safety or security of public safety staff and/or the public or public systems.

12.     Comments with attached documents of any kind.

13.     Posts or links that contain malicious software (malware) such as viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, or any other software.

14.     Anonymous postings or multiple postings by the same user or individual using a fictitious or different name.

d.      Emergency Situations, Issue Reporting, and General Questions: SDL social media accounts are not constantly monitored by SDL social media administrators, and the public should not report a crime, emergency, make general reports, or submit questions on social media. Call 911 if there is an emergency, immediate assistance is needed or to report a crime.   

e.       Responsibility for Content

1.      SDL is not responsible for and neither endorses nor opposes comments placed by visitors on SDL’s social media pages or accounts. Commenters are personally responsible for their own comments, username, and any information they post to this page.

2.      Users should keep in mind that SDL’s social media channels are Internet pages that are owned and operated by private corporations. Each of these corporations have their own policies and standards regarding what may or may not be posted and the actions they may take regarding unauthorized posts, and users are responsible for reviewing and complying with all such policies.

3.      SDL reserves the right to reproduce comments and posts tagging SDL in other public venues (e.g., testimonials).

f.        Content Removal and Access Restriction.

1.      SDL social media accounts are monitored during normal business hours. Content that a SDL social media account manager determines violates this Social Media Policy, based on the criteria defined above, may be removed from SDL social media accounts. By utilizing or posting comments to any SDL social media account, a user agrees to the same.

2.      SDL reserves the right to block users or restrict access to users that violate applicable law or violate this Policy based on the criteria defined above.

g.      Archives and Record Retention.

1.      SDL reserves the right to remove and archive its posts when no longer relevant or timely (e.g., after an event announced has taken place, etc.), and will otherwise remove its posts on a regular schedule as determined by SDL.

2.      SDL reserves the right to archive all content posted by members of the public, and such content may be subject to disclosure under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Adopted 7/21/2026