Calvert Library (the “Library”) maintains and operates various social media platforms to connect Calvert County residents with library services and resources.
Library-managed social media pages are considered limited public forums, and all interactions must comply with the Library’s Customer Expectations and applicable laws. Comments and content posted by the public on any social media platform do not reflect the views, opinions, or positions of the Library, its Board of Trustees, or its employees. The Library does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of information shared by third parties. Users are responsible for evaluating the information they access through social media.
Content Standards
The Library reserves the right to hide, remove, restrict, or report any content that violates this policy or applicable laws. Violations include, but are not limited to, content that contains:
- Racist, violent, sexual or discriminatory material based on race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, country of origin, language or disability
- Obscenity, child pornography, defamatory or libelous statements, or threats directed at the Library, its staff or other users
- Private or personally identifiable information (such as addresses, phone numbers, or account details)
- Commercial promotions, advertisements, or spam
- Participation in, or encouragement of, illegal activities
- Malicious links or content posing cybersecurity risks
- Violations of copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights
- Off-topic posts unrelated to the discussion topic or the Library’s services and resources
- Any content prohibited by law or by the library’s social media guidelines.
Enforcement of Policy
If a user violates this policy, the Library may take one or more of the following actions:
- Hide or remove the offending content
- Restrict the user’s ability to post or comment for 24 hours or longer, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation
- Report the content or user to the platform or appropriate authorities
Users will be notified of any restriction through the platform where the violation occurred. To appeal a restriction, submit a written request to the Executive Director detailing the reason for your appeal. Appeals should be mailed to Carrie Willson, Executive Director at Calvert Library, 850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick, MD 20678. The Library will typically respond within five (5) business days of receiving the appeal. If the user considers the response from the Executive Director to be unsatisfactory, the decision can be further appealed, in writing, to the Board of Library Trustees within fifteen calendar (15) days for a final decision.
Privacy & Legal Disclaimers
By posting content to the Library’s social media pages, users acknowledge that they have no expectation of privacy in the information provided.
Social media interactions do not replace official Library processes. For example, responses to requests for proposals, invitations for bids, or other competitive procurements must be submitted through official channels. Content posted on social media does not constitute legal notice to the Library.
Users are encouraged to review the Terms of Service and Privacy Policies of the social media platforms they use.
Use of User-Generated Content
The Library may reproduce comments, posts and messages in other public venues (i.e., quoting a social media post in a newspaper article or on the Library’s website). Identifying information beyond a first name will be removed unless prior approval is granted by the user.
Approved, Board of Library Trustees, June 16, 2020
Revised and approved by the Board of Library Trustees, January 20, 2026