Hi Michele
This came up not long ago, if you want to check the list archive.
We’ve had several users with guide dogs (we also have a permanent member of staff who brings his guide dog to work – Major is one of
our most popular colleagues J) – they are never
a problem. At least one of them was so unobtrusive, we kept forgetting she was there: just curled up under the desk and went to sleep.
Genuine, formally trained and registered assistance animals shouldn’t ever be an issue: if in doubt, ask to see their papers. They should
also wear harness etc. when working to show that they are on duty. If they don’t, I think you’d be justified in saying no. If they
do, you would be on a sticky wicket refusing entry.
All of that is assuming you have a dedicated searchroom (or at least, that users are consulting documents in a space outwith the archive
store – e.g. the archivist’s office). Stores tours would be a different matter. We share our premises with the museum service, and have very strict biosecurity rules: anything coming into the building has to be frozen before it can go into the stores. Can’t
risk collections-eating beasties getting into the costume or biology stores! Even letting human visitors into the stores can be a risk – I don’t see that we could ever justify allowing an assistance animal in (and I’m not sure I’d dare even suggest it within
earshot of our Conservation team…) That goes a long way beyond ‘reasonable adjustments’.
Best wishes
Rachel
From: Archivists, conservators and records managers. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michele Losse
Sent: 27 September 2018 14:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Guide Dogs and Support Animals in Searchrooms
Dear All,
I was wondering how Archives who have a formal reading/search room handle guide dogs and support animals?
The University sector has seen a sharp rise in the number of students wishing to bring emotional support and assistance animals on to the campus. These animals have included rabbits, mice and birds.
We have not had such requests from any readers yet, and the University has a general policy in place; in essence, this states that we will allow assistance and working dogs on to the campus if conditions are met but other animals (including
emotional support animals) will, by and large, not be permitted on to the campus. However, they are willing to look at each request on a case by case basis.
I feel that we should do the same as far as our reading room is concerned, but I was wondering if other archives had had any experience of this and how they handled them, this includes guide dogs.
Thanks in advance,
Michele
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Michele Losse| Archivist | Student Journey | Library
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Special Collections
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