Animals in the Library

POLICY
Animals of any kind, wild or domestic, are not permitted in Library buildings. Exceptions may be made for service animals, animal assistants, Library owned pets, and special Library sponsored events.

  1. DEFINITIONS  
    • Service animal- any animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Any animal meeting this definition is considered a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by the state or local government.
    • Animal assistant - any animal that assists a person with a disability, per Ohio Revised Code 4112 and Ohio Administrative Code 4112-5. This includes emotional support animals, per Ohio Attorney General Civil Rights Reporter, August 2019.
  2. REGULATIONS
    Service animals and animal assistants must be permitted to accompany a patron with a disability to all areas of the Library that patrons are normally permitted to go.
  3. PROCEDURES   
    1. Staff may ask what service the animal provides, but may not ask to see the service performed or require proof of the animal’s status.
    2. If an animal accompanying a patron is behaving in a manner that is disruptive to other patrons use of the library, a threat to health and safety, or causing damage to DML property, staff should approach the patron and ask them to remove the animal, regardless of the animal’s status as a service, assistant or emotional support animal.
    3. Animals that are disruptive, pose a direct threat to health and safety or damage to DML property may be banned from DML. The patron may continue to use DML services and facilities without having the animal on the premises.
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