Animals in the Library - NEVER, except if they are Service Animals!

Here is the website page about animals in the library:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/animals

Animals in the library are incompatible with the essential purpose of the library to serve as a quiet research and study facility, it is policy not to allow persons to bring animals into the library unless the animal is an authorized accommodation to a person with a disability, also known as a "service animal".  Not all service animals are dogs, and not all dogs are service animals.  Most service animals, and definitely the ones "in training" are usually adorned with a vest.  If you are unsure because the animal attempting entry is not showing service trappings, you will need to ask the owner directly.
Everyone attempting to enter the collection with an animal should be asked about the status of the animal before simply refusing them entry into the collection.

QUESTIONS PERMISSIBLE TO ASK ANYONE WITH ANIMAL (The entrant must be willing to answer these direct questions)
These questions are taken directly from the UCB Campus Access Services statement, which was modeled after the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division statement.

1. Is this a service animal required because of a disability?
(They only need to respond with yes/no. Do not inquire further about what disability they have.)

2. What task has the dog been trained to perform?

If the animal is in fact a service animal AND does some task to assist with a disability, let them in without further questions. Always radio security to let them know you already vetted the animal so the patron does not receive further questioning inside.

IF IT IS A COMFORT ANIMAL AND DOES NOT PERFORM TASKS, (whose mere presence is the accommodation), then proceed to the following...

(Please note: California law allows persons with disabilities to bring trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs, but not emotional support animals, to all public places.)

3a. For a UC Berkeley student, staff, faculty member, explain that the library requires that UC Berkeley students with disabilities must have authorization from DSP to bring an animal (that is not a service animal) into the library and ask student to please bring the library a DSP Letter authorizing the animal as a disability-related accommodation in the library. 

I recommend you allow them to bring the animal into the library that day only, but explain the next time the student must bring a DSP Letter.   Better to be permissive with a stated understanding with the patron that the next time a letter is required, than too restrictive and end up in court.

3b. For an individual who is not a UC Berkeley student, staff, faculty member, explain that the library requires that patrons with disabilities must have authorization from a medical expert to bring an animal (that is not a service animal) into the library and ask individual to please bring the library a doctor/expert's statement authorizing the animal as a disability-related accommodation in the library. 

Again, I recommend you allow them to bring the animal into the library that day only, but explain the next time the individual must bring an expert's statement. 

Last thing, (even with vetted service animals!) 

Anytime any animal is behaving in a manner incompatible with the essential purposes of the library, then you should immediately insist that the animal/owner exit the library. Incompatible behavior includes: barking, urinating/pooping, being off a leash, running away or otherwise leaving the side of the owner, biting or other threatening actions such as growling, teeth bared, lunging on others besides animal owner, and/or damaging property of University or others.  

For general questions about accessibility and Library services for users with disabilities, contact Jennifer Dorner, 510-768-8059. For questions about accessibility of specific collections or facilities, please use the contacts here.

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