LibraryLinkNJ Forum Guidelines

[posted on 4/25/2011 ]

The LibraryLinkNJ Forums are a place where members can share comments, thoughts, ideas and experiences related to our work in libraries. All LibraryLinkNJ members are encouraged to use the forums to connect with each other, discuss library topics, share information, raise issues, and to give and receive support.

• Register yourself on the website to obtain access to the Forums. By registering, you acknowledge and agree to follow the established Guidelines.
• The Guidelines are designed to make the forums a courteous and businesslike place for sharing and exchanging library related information.
• Everyone is encouraged to post new topics or other content at any time.
• LibraryLinkNJ staff will contact you directly if you post anything to a forum that is not in accordance with the Guidelines.

In order to provide one another with a welcoming environment and facilitate a more lively community, forum users agree to follow these basic guidelines:

1. The Forums are Yours!
   We encourage you to use the forums in the ways you feel most comfortable. Feel free to visit all the forums to read the postings or comments (sometimes referred to as "lurking"), or post questions and replies as often as you wish. You are able to edit and/or delete your own postings, but it is not possible to attach documents to a posting or comment.  Forum topics are keyword searchable, using  the website search box at the top of every page.
2. Be Honest and Clear
   When registering, avoid choosing a username with the explicit intention of impersonating another person.  When posting, be clear and transparent about your identity, intentions, concerns, and opinions.
3. Be Considerate
   Feel free to engage in a spirited discussion or disagree with the opinions of other members, but avoid verbal attacks or insults towards individuals (both members and non-members) and organizations. This practice is sometimes called "flaming" and can disrupt participation and information sharing. If you have any doubt about whether your post will be viewed as such an attack, please feel free to contact the moderator by email and ask for his/her advice. You can email the moderator at info@librarylinknj.org.  Please be sure to put "community guidelines" in the subject line.
4. Watch Your Language
   While there are no filters on posted content, members should refrain from using profane, obscene, discriminatory, abusive or otherwise disrespectful language.
5. Ads Not Allowed
   Please do not post non-library business promotions, advertisements, marketing materials, organization logos or spam. Any individuals or non-member organizations that want to reach the LibraryLinkNJ membership with information about their services should email jroukens@librarylinknj.org with "promotion" in the subject line.
6. Be Kind, No Caps
   While they may be fun and exciting to write, messages in all caps are NOT FUN TO READ and are considered to be the written form ofan angry or raised voice.
7. Free Advice Isn't Always Good Advice
   While members should use the forums to share advice and information, the entire community cannot vouch for everything that is communicated among participants. It is not smart to rely solely upon one fellow member's advice. Get a second or third opinion (especially if you are making a big decision).
8. Stay on Topic
   Although there are plenty of topics that should and need to be discussed, please remember that our space is dedicated to LibraryLinkNJ or other library related content and discussions. When posting to discussions, please try to keep your comments consistent with the content being discussed in that thread. When posting to the forums, place your posts in the topic area(s) that are related.  If a posting is off-topic, LibraryLinkNJ staff may post it to another, more relevant area. If your topic is ever removed, a moderator will contact you.
9. We're Listening
   When posting to forums, please post your message or question to only one forum. If members believe that a post or reply is off-topic, they should alert the moderator at info@librarylinknj.org.   LibraryLinkNJ reserves the right to remove or halt any discussion that is deemed inappropriate or that would weaken the value of the forums and inhibit the fulfillment of its purpose, i.e., the sharing of library information.
10. But What If?
    If a member is found to be in violation of these forum guidelines, the moderator may remove or move the post, and they will send a notice to the offending member. Extreme or repetitive violations may result in loss of forum privileges. Members should alert the moderator by email to posts that are offensive to them or if they feel they are being harassed. You can email info@librarylinknj.org with "forum guidelines" in the subject line. We know everyone willplay nice.
11. Comments, Suggestions, Questions
    If you have comments, questions, concerns or suggestions about the forum guidelines, please send an email to  info@librarylinknj.org.