Public Libraries need to look at Intel’s social media policy

I found a great piece on the social path blog the other day, where David Griner pointed to Intel’s social media policy. It is truly a forward thinking piece of policy. I hope that public libraries and library systems who are struggling to create appropriate policies and style guides for their public service staff to follow on the social web will look to this for some of their inspiration. In Griner’s words, “It’s rare that any corporate policy makes for a good read, but trust me when I tell you that Intel’s new Social Media Guidelines are barn-burning fare.” He is so right. Click through to the whole policy or read a few key excerpts. I don’t usually like to reblog things, but I think Griner really picked the good pieces out of it:

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On transparency:
If you are blogging about your work at Intel, use your real name, identify that you work for Intel, and be clear about your role. If you have a vested interest in something you are discussing, be the first to point it out.

On perception:
In online social networks, the lines between public and private, personal and professional are blurred. Just by identifying yourself as an Intel employee, you are creating perceptions about Intel by our shareholders, customers, and the general public—and perceptions about you by your colleagues and managers. Do us all proud. Be sure that all content associated with you is consistent with your work and with Intel’s values and professional standards.

On starting conversations:
Don’t be afraid to bring in your own personality and say what’s on your mind. Consider content that’s open-ended and invites response. Encourage comments.

On sharing:
Our business activities are increasingly focused on high-value innovation. Let’s share with the world the exciting things we’re learning and doing—and open up the channels to learn from others.

On mistakes:
Did you screw up? If you make a mistake, admit it. Be upfront and be quick with your correction. If you’re posting to a blog, you may choose to modify an earlier post—just make it clear that you have done so.

On negative comments from the public:
If the content is positive or negative and in context to the conversation then we approve the content, regardless if the content is favorable or unfavorable to Intel. However if the content is ugly, offensive, denigrating and completely out of context then we reject the content.

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Things are changing rapidly in the web marketing field as the web matures into its full social glory. Formerly dependable measurements like clickthroughs, hits and page views don’t accurately describe the channeling of attention and potential distributed presence of a brand. New tools are being developed to measure new things. Libraries need to promote, widgetize and brand their hottest commodities (collections and digital projects), rather than force patrons to visit their catalog and website as if their home page is a comfortable living room.

To get yourself thinking along these lines and to expand on my earlier post about the semantic web, check out Kevin Kelley of Wired Magazine’s presentation at the Web 2.0 summit in San Fransisco. Its like 15 minutes long and sort of dull for the first 7 minutes but pretty clever in the second 8.