2.6 Animals in the Library

The Wadsworth Public Library recognizes that patrons with disabilities may be accompanied by service animals that are trained to assist the person with a sensory, mental, or physical disability or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The Library recognizes the rights of its patrons under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Ohio law regarding the use of service animals. The Library also considers the health and safety of all patrons, the public, and Library staff to be of utmost priority.

2.6.1 Policy

Only service animals are allowed in the Library and only under the conditions set forth in this policy. Pets, therapy animals, and comfort animals are not allowed in the Library.

2.6.2 Definitions

Service Animal: A service animal is a dog, miniature horse, or other animal recognized by Ohio law such as a monkey, that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the service animal must be directly related to the person’s disability. The service animal must be trained to take a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability. Examples of such work or tasks include: guiding people who are blind; alerting people who are deaf; pulling a wheelchair; alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure; reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications; calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack; retrieving an item for a person with a mobility impairment; or performing other duties.

Miniature Horses: Certain miniature horses are recognized as service animals under the ADA. An individual with a disability may be allowed to utilize a miniature horse as a service animal, subject to all of the requirements in this policy and the following additional considerations:

• The miniature horse may be no more than 34 inches tall measured at its shoulder, and it may weigh no more than 100 pounds.
• The miniature horse must have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability.
• The handler of the miniature horse must be able to be in sufficient control of the horse.
• The miniature horse must be housebroken.
• The presence of the miniature horse may not compromise legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for the safe operation of Library service.

Other Animals: The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence or the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks. Therefore, pets, therapy animals, and comfort animals are not service animals under the ADA or Ohio law.

2.6.3 Where Service Animals Area Allowed

Generally, owners of service animals are permitted to be accompanied by their service animal in all areas of the Library’s facilities and programs where the owner is allowed to go. Such areas include public areas, public events, and other areas where Library programs or activities are held.

Animals in carriers, bags, backpacks, or purses are not allowed in the Library.

2.6.4 Assessing Service Animal Status

Permitted Inquiries

Library personnel must permit service animal access to an event or activity with its owner when it is readily apparent that the animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for its owner. Examples include a dog guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling an individual’s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability.

If the need for the service animal is not apparent, Library personnel may only ask the following questions of service animal owners:

• Whether the service animal is required because of a disability; and
• What work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

No further inquiries are permitted.

If the owner states that the animal is required because of a disability and that the animal has been trained to do work or a task for the owner, then the service animal must be admitted. If there is any doubt that an animal is a service animal, Library personnel should admit the animal and then consult with the Director regarding future access.

Service animal owners must not be asked about the nature of their disability or for medical documentation of it. Owners also will not be asked for a special registration, identification card, license, or other documentation that the animal is a service animal or to demonstrate the animal’s ability to perform work or tasks. Service animals are not required to be licensed or certified by a state or local government or training program or to be identified by a special harness or collar.

Library Assistance

Service animal owners are not required to register their service animal with the Library. Owners who regularly access the Library are encouraged to contact the Director. The Director can then assist the owner by providing advance notice to Library personnel that the owner and service animal are entitled to access.

Until Library staff get to know a patron with a service animal, staff should ask the above two questions to any patron who brings in an animal. To help prevent patrons from feeling unwelcome, staff should begin questions with a disclaimer to the effect of, “Until our staff get to know you and your service animal, you may be asked these questions again. I apologize for the inconvenience, but we want to make sure service animals are able to do their job without interference from untrained animals.”

Individuals with disabilities may not be charged a fee for bringing their service animals onto Library premises.

2.6.5 Service Animal Owners’ Responsibilities

Service animal owners are solely responsible for:

• Keeping the service animal under their direct control at all times, such as by a harness, leash, or other tether. However, if the use of a harness, leash, or other tether interferes with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, or if the owner’s disability prevents the use of such devices, then the service animal must be under the owner’s control through voice control, signals, or other effective means.
• The supervision and care of the service animal. Owners must keep the service animal directly with them at all times.
• Ensuring the service animal does not disturb or disrupt normal Library functions.
• Immediately cleaning up after the service animal and properly disposing of the service animal’s waste or other debris.
• Complying with any relevant city, county, and/or state license and leash laws while the service animal is on Library premises.
• Keeping the service animal off of Library furniture and fixtures and out of Library baskets or carts. The service animal must remain on the floor or be carried (as appropriate) by the owner at all times.

The owner is responsible for any damage or injury caused by the service animal.

2.6.6 Removal of Service Animals from Library Facilities

Library personnel may ask service animal owners to remove their service animal from Library premises or from the immediate area if:

• The animal is not a service animal.
• The owner answers “no” to the question “Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?”
• The owner provides an insufficient answer to the question, “What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?” An example of an insufficient answer would be, “It is my therapy (or comfort) dog.”
• The service animal is not under the owner’s direct control.
• The service animal is not housebroken.
• The service animal barks excessively, is uncontrolled, barks or growls at others, or is otherwise disruptive.

If the service animal is disturbing or disrupting the normal Library routines, then the owner must first be given an opportunity to get the animal under control. If the disruption or disturbance continues, then the owner may be asked to remove the animal.

If the presence, behavior, or actions of the service animal constitutes an immediate risk or danger to people or property, the owner can be asked to immediately remove the animal and 911 (emergency assistance) may be contacted.

If asked to remove the service animal, the owner must be offered the opportunity to return to the Library premises or the immediate area without the service animal and be provided with reasonable assistance at that time to participate in the Library services or programs.

Owners with concerns about the removal of their service animal should contact the Director.

2.6.7 Service Animals in Training

Service dogs that are being trained by non-profit agencies for the purpose of assisting blind, deaf, hearing impaired, or mobility impaired persons may access the Library in accordance with this policy. In addition, the service dog in training must be covered by an insurance policy covering personal injury and property damage.

2.6.8 Exceptions for Library Offerings

Pending approval by the Director, the Library may have animals in the building as part of its educational, programming, and recreational offerings.

2.6.9 Animal Endangerment

The Library does not condone leaving non-service animals outside the Library in a way that may endanger the animal or Library patrons. The Library reserves the right to contact the police or other appropriate authority regarding any unattended animals on its premises. The Library also reserves the right to ban patrons who endanger animals in such a way.

2.6.10 Violations of Policy

Depending on the seriousness of the animal’s conduct or repeated conduct, service animals may be excluded from Library property. If a service animal is excluded, the Director is available to assist in evaluating reasonable accommodations for the owner.

Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a violation of the library’s Patron Code of Conduct, and may result in suspension of Library privileges.

adopted: 3/20/2023