Service animals and animals which are part of a library program are permitted in the library.

Under the ADA a service animal or assistance animal is a dog that has been individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. As defined by the ADA, only dogs may be service animals, except under some circumstances miniature horses. Cats, rabbits, birds,and rodents are not covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or Illinois Law. Neither the ADA nor Illinois service animal law includes “emotional support animals”. 

There are two questions staff can ask people who bring their dogs into the library.

1. Is the animal required because of a disability?
2. What task or service has this animal been trained to do?

If a patron answers “no” to the first question, this tells you that their animal is for emotional support, or has an animal other than a dog or miniature horse, they should be asked to take the animal out of the library.

Staff cannot ask: “What is your disability? This is confidential information. Even if the service animal will not perform its task or service in the library, it is entitled to enter. 

A service dog’s professional behavior and good grooming are necessary for it to be protected under the ADA. For example, an individual may be asked to remove his or her service animal if it:

• Makes a mess on the floor.
• Bites or jumps on another patron
• Wanders away from its owner
• A service animal may be removed if it disturbs patrons; for example, if it is repeatedly barking. However, it should first be made clear that the service animal is not just doing its job. Barking may be how the dog performs its job.

Some service dogs are trained to carry out tasks which include but are not limited to:

• Hearing dogs, which alert their handlers to important sounds, such as alarms and doorbells.
• Guide dogs, which help those who are visually impaired to navigate safely.
• Seizure alert animals, which let their handlers know of impending seizures, and may also guard their handlers during seizure activity.
• Allergens alert animals, which let their handlers know of foods that could be dangerous (such as peanuts). 

Neither the ADA nor Illinois’s service animal law includes “emotional support animals”, animals that provide a sense of safety, companionship, and comfort to those with psychiatric or emotional disabilities or conditions. Although these animals often have therapeutic benefits, they are not individually trained to perform specific tasks for their handlers. Under the ADA and Illinois law, owners of public accommodations are not required to allow emotional support animals, only service animals. 

Important Service Animal Laws:

• Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.
• Illinois Human Right Act, 775 ILCS 5/1
• Service Animal Access Act, 720 ILCS 5/48-8
• White Cane Law, 775 ILCS 30

Adopted: November 19. 2024