The Bigelow Free Public Library welcomes well-behaved, healthy, and leashed — or otherwise constrained — pets, so long as they are under the control of their owners, do not get onto furniture, and/or disrupt other library patrons. Please be mindful of this etiquette so that everyone can enjoy the library.
Subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272, Section 98A regarding service animals¹ being present in places of public accommodation, including the Library, staff reserves the right to ask the pet owner to remove an animal that is not behaving in accordance with this Policy.
¹Service animals are either dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to perform one or more specific actions or tasks in response to either a command or some signal that they have sensed to assist an individual with a disability and those actions/tasks must directly help with the symptoms or limitations associated with the individual’s disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support are not service animals.
Service animals (1) are permitted to go wherever their handler is permitted to go; (2) must be under their handler’s control at all times (which usually involves use of a harness or leash); (3) must be housebroken; (4) may not pose a legitimate, direct threat to the health or safety of others; (5) are allowed even if others have fears of them or are allergic to them; and (6) do not have to be allowed to sit on furniture meant for patrons.
Awaiting Approval by Board of Trustees 1/2024