Facebook

Note: To ensure your Facebook page is set up correctly, contact us at CommunityRelations@oaklandlibrary.org. 

Posting

Do: 

• Be clear and concise - shoot for 250 characters. 

• Include a captioned photo, video, or link to OPL or other related content. 

• Tag other Library Facebook pages and partner pages for increased visibility (using the @ sign to tag relevant page, inviting partner to co-host an event, as appropriate) 

Don’t: 

• Have your post to Instagram or other social platforms auto-post to Facebook (and vice versa) 

Comments and Messages 

• Accept and respond to comments and messages in inbox 

• You can include automated responses to messages which include the branch/location’s information, branch page, and contact info. Here’s an example from OPL’s Facebook account:  Thank you for reaching out! We will get back to you as soon as possible. For general questions, registration for Library Events, help with online resources, or account infomation, please email us at eAnswers@oaklandlibrary.org or call (510) 238-3134.  

• Comments to the page must be turned on and monitored as frequently as appropriate to prioritized posts (usually daily) 

• Posts or messages that are obviously spam can and should be immediately reported as spam. Sometimes these are couched in legitimate-sounding language, so if you have any questions, ask another person before engaging. You can always reach out to CommunityRelations@oaklandlibrary.org for questions or advice on handling a confusing or problematic situation.

Reposts or Shares 

Sharing should not be done in a way that looks like you’re expressing a personal and/or political opinion or stance. A share with no comment of your own can easily be seen as a sign of approval of what you’re relaying.  

Do: 

• Share posts made by partner groups and organizations promoting OPL services, programs, etc. 

• Share posts made by public pages and public figures which promote OPL’s “brand”, staff, programs, services, or other efforts 

• Be careful to not share anything which discloses personal information, uses profanity (think PG-ish levels), or advocates for a specific ballot measure, candidate, or other explicit political stance. [and in accordance with AI 596 Code of Conduct] 

• Repost the whole message, not just the link. 

• Add commentary, relevant #Hashtags, relevant information, and links to related pages on the OPL website.

Don't: 

• Share any posts that imply that OPL has a vested interest or endorses any politician, for-profit business, political measure, or stance. OPL can always share information about measures, voting, etc. We just can’t endorse patrons to choose/vote/etc. in a particular way. 

• Share posts that violate the City of Oakland’s Code of Conduct or do not somehow help OPL fulfill communication goals and objectives.

Likes/Follows 

• Your branch should be set up as a page, so you should not be adding “friends.” 

• Liking political candidates, private companies or causes may create a perception among people unfamiliar with the protocol of social networks that the City of Oakland is advocating.  

• Do not ‘like’ candidate pages, private companies or causes.  

• However, do ‘like’ other OPL or City events, programs and initiatives.  

• Do not follow any personal, non-public accounts, or any accounts that go against OPL’s mission, values, and objectives.