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Online Code of Conduct

Policies

Online Code of Conduct

Purpose/Principle:

At Northampton Area Public Library, our patrons are our priority, and we strive to serve people with care and authenticity. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment as we engage the community in literacy and learning.

Northampton Area Public Library is proudly:

  • Open to all.
  • A judgement-free place for everyone.
  • An anti-discriminatory organization.
  • Shared by the community.
  • Used by many different people for many different reasons.

Virtual Presence:

Northampton Area Public Library maintains a presence in the following virtual spaces:

Requested Practices:

The following outlines the code of conduct we request of everyone when engaging with the library and/or its followers within our virtual community spaces:

  • We ask that everyone engage in conversations which support the safety and enjoyment of all people virtually visiting the library’s platforms.
  • Everyone must adhere to library policy and online host terms of service.
  • Stay on topic. Comments and posts should be related to the issue or topic discussed.
  • We ask everyone not to share misleading or false information, gather signatures, solicit contributions, or conduct surveys in our virtual spaces.
  • The library is not responsible for any of the patron-generated comments/content that appear on the catalog or website(s). A posted comment is the opinion of the poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement or agreement by the Northampton Area Public Library.
  • Users may report concerns. Moderators will endeavor to review those concerns as soon as possible. In some instances, we will not have the resources to review user comments and posts, but we do reserve the right to edit, delete, or hide user comments and posts in a manner consistent with our mission and policies. The library will not remove all posts that have been reported, and the library cannot respond individually to every report.

Violations:

Northampton Area Public Library expects conversations occurring in its online spaces to adhere to a shared culture of mutual respect. Behavior that violates the Online Code of Conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Overt advertising or promotion for commercial ventures unsanctioned by Northampton Area Public Library
  • Chats or comments engaging in disorderly, harassing, suggestive, discriminatory, violent, or aggressive behaviors to other commenters or library staff. This also extends to discussions of self-harm.
  • Posting or threatening to post personal information about others (“doxing”).
  • Failing to cease negative behavior when asked to stop.
  • Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behaviors.

While Northampton Area Public Library encourages an open forum, posts, and comments are moderated by library staff. The library reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to hide, remove, and/or report submissions or comments that are unlawful or violate the code of conduct.

Immediate Exclusion:

The following behaviors will result in immediate exclusion from the library’s virtual spaces, with potential for exclusion from library physical spaces:

  • Anyone engaging in disorderly, harassing, suggestive or overtly sexual, discriminatory, violent, or aggressive behaviors, including racist, homophobic, transphobic language or actions, and stalking.
  • Violating the platform’s terms of service – these actions may be taken independent of library staff control.

The library promotes free expression and good civil discourse. Intimidation or harassment of a racial, religious, or other biased nature is especially destructive and opposed to the library’s purpose of being a welcoming and safe place for all. Such behavior toward patrons or staff will result in immediate virtual exclusion or other disciplinary action.

Resources:

For further information, please see the ALA Online Code of Conduct.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 1/11/2024

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