Accessibility

Service animals are allowed at Saint Paul Public Library (SPPL) facilities.

• Service animals are limited to dogs and in certain cases miniature horses.
• The service animal must be “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.”
• The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability.
• Emotional support animals, those animals who have not been trained to perform a specific job or task related to an individual’s disability, are not allowed at SPPL facilities.
• The service animal must be under a handler’s control. This means that the service animal should have a harness, leash or other tether, unless these devices would interfere with the service animal’s services.  If this is the case, the handler must be able to keep the service animal under control with voice, signals, or other effective means.
• “The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition [under Title II].”
• The Library is not responsible for the care or supervision of the service animal.
• The Library cannot require surcharges or fees for the service animal, even if fees are normally charged for people with pets but can require the individual to pay for the damage caused by the service animal, if this is required of people without disabilities who cause damage.

Exceptions

The Library may ask the individual with a disability to remove the service animal from the premises if:

• The service animal is out of control, and the handler does not take effective action to control it or if the service animal is not housebroken.
• If the service animal is excluded, you must still allow the individual with a disability to participate in the service, program, or activity without the animal.

Inquiries

Library staff may ask two questions, but only if it is not easily assessed that the animal is a service animal:

• Is the animal required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Library staff cannot require documentation of certification, training, or licensure as a service animal.

ADA Requirements for Service Animals