Animal Policy

Date Approved: January 18, 2017

Purpose of Policy

To ensure the safety and health of students, staff, and library patrons, animals -- except for specially trained Service Animals -- are not allowed in the Munising School Public Library (MSPL).  Barking, snarling, snapping, biting, and/or other aggressive animal behavior toward people or another animal are not compatible with the purposes of a library.  Some patrons may be allergic to animal dander. 

MSPL provides library services for both Munising Middle and High School students, staff, and for the public.  Michigan statue authorized this type of library, called a school public library1.  MSPL is located in the Munising Middle/High School building.  This library Animal Policy reflects the school’s policy regarding animals in the school building and ensures safety and health of students, staff, and public library patrons, while accommodating individuals who utilize Service Animals. 

Animals other than Service Animals may be permitted in MSPL by the Library Director for special programming.  Animals used for law enforcement purposes will be allowed on school and MSPL property in accordance with all local, state, and federal laws.

Definition of Service Animals

A Service Animal is considered an accommodation by federal and Michigan2 laws and is defined by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 19903 and the ADA Amendment Act of 20084 as a dog that is specially trained to assist a person with a disability.  A Service Animal may assist a person with a vision, hearing, or other physical disability. The work performed by the Service Animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability.  A Service Animal must be restrained with a leash or harness unless it cannot perform its function if leashed, harnessed, or tethered. 

Emotional Support Animals and Therapy Animals do not meet the ADA standard of a Service Animal and are not allowed in Munising School Public Library.  The owner or handler of any animal that is not a Service Animal may be asked to remove the animal from MSPL and its grounds.

Licenses and Vaccinations

A Service Animal, a service dog-in-training, or an animal permitted for special programming by the Library Director on MSPL property must be vaccinated and licensed in accordance with state and local laws.  Vaccination and license information must be readily available on a tag or certificate.  Without such verification the handler may be asked to remove his or her animal from the library.

Respect for the Service Animal

Michigan Law2 states that it is a misdemeanor to interfere with a working Service Animal or to harass or abuse it.  A patron who does so may be informed by library staff of the statute and asked to leave the library if the behavior continues. 

A dog-in-training to become a Service Animal will be accommodated in MSPL as long as the animal is clearly identified by an identifying vest, identification card, or some other legitimate means. The animal’s trainer should identify himself or herself to MSPL staff upon entering the MSPL.

Behavior of Service Animal, Service Dog-in-training, and Animals used in Special Library Programming

The handler of a Service Animal, ADA dog-in-training, or animal permitted for special programming by the Library Director may be asked to remove his/her animal if it poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others.  This behavior includes vicious behavior towards humans or other animals, barking, snarling, growling, or other aggressive behavior, urinating, or defecating in the library or within twenty (20) feet of the entrance.  Munising School Public Library is not required to provide supplies or equipment for the care or supervision of such animals.

Animals on Library Grounds or in the Building

Animals may not be left unattended on school/library grounds.  Animals must not be tied to doors, bike racks, library materials return structures, trees, shrubs, flagpoles, or other items on school/library grounds.

Munising City Police may be contacted to assist if a patron refuses to comply with this policy.

References

1 Michigan Compiled Law 380.1451

2 Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (Act 220 of 1976, as amended, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, P.L. 101-336)

3Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (Act 220 of 1976, as amended).

4Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008, P.L. 110-325. Title II

Munising School Public Library