Azerbaijan
Document No. LPPC619
Created: 01.02.19
Last modified: 18.12.23
Paragraph 1. Purpose
Social Media plays an important role for libraries to update their patrons, promote events, services and highlight collections. It has the potential to increase community engagement with new and existing library stakeholders.
1.1. Outcome Goals
1.1.1. To manage the ADA University Library's publicity activities using social media tools and outreach to a broader audience of users, aiming to keep them informed about the latest and upcoming library events and other occurrences.
1.1.2. To efficiently market the library's services, addressing time and space barriers in accessing information, and drawing attention to contemporary library resources.
1.2. Definitions
1.2.1. What is Social Media?
Social media is the forms of online communication channels (such as web based systems for social networking) dedicated to community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration.
1.2.2. Who is the Social Media Manager?
A social media manager is the individual in an organization trusted with monitoring, contributing to, filtering, measuring and otherwise guiding the social media presence of a brand, product, individual or corporation.
1.2.3. Who is the user (i.e. customer, consumer)?
Individuals or institutions that follow the social media account.
1.2.4. What is the corporate support to the library?
The units or persons who control and manage the institutional structure of these accounts and materials, which help in the preparation of all social media accounts and promotional materials.
1.3. Mission
1.3.1. Account management / personal use
The account manager(s) is the person or groups who have taken control of the social media accounts of the library. The decision on who will manage the social media accounts created in this direction will be determined by the decision of a senior management. In order not to allow personal use over corporate accounts, senior management is expected to take all necessary security measures and it is necessary to create audit groups.
1.3.2. Account manager / Responsibilities
- This person manages the social media accounts of organization and provides the necessary revision for the existing ones;
- Follow social media networks, informs the institution or people, and determines appropriate strategies;
- Generates content for social media accounts;
- Produces monthly or weekly (depending on policy) content plans;
- Conducts studies to develop new content types and sharing formats by following digital trends;
- Follows developments in his profession and improves himself/herself.
1.3.3. Page and group manager / management
The person or groups responsible for the social media accounts of the library. They are responsible for the necessary content management of the social media page, the control of the comments, and the most importantly, the sharing of the calendar. All content must be approved by the relevant administrators prior to their sharing.
1.3.4. Time and resource management
It is expected that the contents of the pre-shared calendars are prepared by the pre-determination of the social media officers or managers in advance. Quick steps can be taken regarding the daily events that may occur. However, the content to be shared is expected to have administrator’s approval.
1.3.5. Use of platforms (Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram etc.)
When utilizing social media accounts, it's crucial to recognize their coordination with each other. Understanding the systems that can work seamlessly together and integrating posts across various pages is important. For instance, Instagram and Facebook can function harmoniously. To enhance the Instagram page and increase followers, it is recommended to first share photos and videos on the Instagram page and then conveniently share them on Facebook. This approach effectively promotes the pages to followers through the content shared on both social media accounts.
1.3.6. Confidentiality, respect, responsibility
All postings, content, and comments must adhere to an objective and respectful framework. Content shared on institutional pages should refrain from containing inaccurate or false information, and any comments made by the institution should maintain a tone of respect and moderation. In cases where comments display insult, humiliation, or a cynical approach towards shared content, the institution reserves the right to delete such comments in accordance with its policies and service requirements. The institution is not liable for deleted comments but retains the right to pursue legal action, including the removal of the commentator or organization from the relevant pages.
Paragraph 2. Main Procedures
2.1. Scope
Social media accounts that libraries use effectively are:
- YouTube
Library social media accounts can share the following contents:
- Text
- Photo usage
- Video usage
- Poster usage
- # (hashtag) label usage
- Open access articles
- Useful links etc.
2.2. Corporate Principles
Our Library:
- creates passwords for social media accounts which are kept in the personnel, responsible for those accounts;
- adheres to library administration’s regulations in organizing the workflow, as well as preparation, control and sharing of the social media content;
- actively uses the social media according to the policies it determines (daily, weekly, monthly sharings, etc.);
- accepts no responsibility for the sharings made by third parties on the main platforms / walls of the Library’s social media accounts.
- removes advertisements and unwanted content in comments on social media content;
- removes commercial suggestions, hate speeches, insults, etc. from comments.
Paragraph 3. Final Notes
3.1. Up-to-dateness
This Policy is subject to be reviewed and updated at the beginning of each academic year by persons or groups in charge of current policy, content and principles.
3.2. Additional Information
The staff of the ADA University Library is available to answer questions or provide information to librarians, trustees, educators, and the public about social media policy and practices. Inquiries can be directed via email to circulationdesk@ada.edu.az or via phone number at:
(+994 12) 437 3235 ext. 216