Pets/Animals in the Library Policy

For health and safety reasons, pets/animals are not permitted in the Library unless they meet the following criteria: 

  1. The pet/animal is part of a library-sanctioned program, which has previously been announced to the public.
  2. Is a Service Animal or Service Animal in Training
    1. The Amityville Public Library will comply with all Federal, State and/or local laws pertaining to Service Animals. As per Federal and State Law, only dogs are recognized as service animals;
    2. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.  In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls;
    3. The Library may not:
      1. require proof that the animal is certified;
      2. ask about the person’s disability;
      3. require medical documentation;
      4. ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform its work or task;
      5. deny access or refuse service due to other patrons’ allergies or fear of dogs.  (Accommodations for both the patron with the service animal and the patron with allergy or fear of dogs must be made).
    4. Staff may only ask:
      1. “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?”
      2. ii. “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
    5. Staff may not:
      1. Ask about the person’s disability;
      2. Require medical documentation;
      3. Require a special identification card or training document for the dog; iv.
      4. Ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task. 
    6. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his/her service animal from the premises unless:
      1. the dog is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it;
      2. the dog is not housebroken;
      3. when there is a legitimate reason to ask that a service animal be removed, staff must offer the person with the disability the opportunity to obtain services without the animal’s presence. 

Adopted September 17, 2015