PASCO COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM POLICY MANUAL

 
SECTION: PUBLIC SERVICE
POLICY TITLE: ANIMALS IN LIBRARY BUILDINGS
EFFECTIVE DATE: MARCH 2004
REVISED:
JULY 2008
JANUARY 2010
AUGUST 2020
 
 

Acceptance Statement:

The Pasco County Library System considers use of the libraries facilities to constitute acceptance of this policy.

Statement of Policy:

Patrons are not permitted to bring animals into any library building with the exception of the following: 

Service Animals: In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, any person with a disability is allowed to bring their service animal into the library. Staff may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability and may ask what tasks the animal has been trained to perform in order to determine the difference between a service animal and a pet. Any animal identified as a service animal must be admitted. 

The care and supervision of the service animal is solely the responsibility of the owner. If the service animal is aggressive with staff or other patrons or if it otherwise acts out of control, the person may be asked to take the animal from the building. The person with the disability will be given the option of using the library without having the service animal on the premises. For more information see Florida Statute Chapter 413.08 

Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals are not “service animals” within the definitions provided in the Americans With Disability Act and therefore are prohibited on Library property except as may be authorized for a Library program, in designated areas.  

Library-sponsored Programs: The library may choose to offer educational programs for the public that include various animals. Such animals are permitted in the library building for the duration of the program and must be accompanied by the owner at all times. 

All animals on Library property, must have vaccinations and display license tags as required by Chapter 14 of the Pasco County Code of Ordinances. All animal waste shall be disposed of by the person responsible for the animal. 

Violation of Policy: 

Patrons who violate this policy will be made aware of the violation.  Patrons will be asked to remove the animal from the building/property immediately. Failure to remove the animal from the building/property as instructed may result in prohibition from returning to the library for a specific amount of time as determined by the Branch Manager or their designee. Failure to leave the building when asked to do so will be considered trespassing, and may result in law enforcement being contacted.