Department

Library Administration

Purpose

Since the Christopher Center space is used in numerous ways, guidelines need to be followed in regards to pet visits in the building.

In conjunction with the Policy Regarding Prohibition of Pets on Campus policy found at: https://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/files/2015/12/Policy-Regarding-Prohibition-of-Pets-on-Campus.pdf, the following provides the Christopher Center Library's procedural policy regarding pet visits in the building.

Access to the Library's shared drive and access to Confluence

Safety issues are outlined in the procedure section below.

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The Library abides by all conditions of the University Pet Policy.

Notably, exception areas of that policy that apply to the Library and its personnel:

Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or any other law or regulations that allow a person to utilize a service animal to reasonably accommodate a disability.
Employees may occasionally bring their pets to their workplace (excluding athletic events) with the following criteria:

1. The employee receives written approval from their supervisor and no such approval may exceed 1 year in duration;
2. No other employee, student, or visitor who will be within reasonable proximity of the pet on campus, objects to the pet’s presence;
3. The pet’s presence does not violate any law or applicable health code; and
4. The employee is responsible for the health, safety, control, and cleanup of the pet and any property damages it causes in the workplace.

Pursuant to an event sponsored by an employee or university organization hosting a Pet Therapy team and/or pet therapy type event.
Any dogs or other domestic animals on University grounds must be in the control of their owners. An owner will be deemed to be in control of a domestic animal if it is on a leash held by the owner or caged.
Any infractions or complaints should be brought to the attention of Campus Police, 219-464-5430.

Further, because the Library is a mixed-use, public space, special considerations apply:

Pets should stay within the workspace of the owner. If the pet and owner leave the workspace area for pet care needs, they should utilize the nearest building exit.
Pet owners should be especially mindful of student assistant considerations; if there are student assistants working in the area, consult with the Dean to secure bias/influence free responses from students. If student assistant schedules change, this should be done on a semester basis.
If a library patron objects to the pet’s presence in a public workspace area, work with your area supervisor to arrive at a better solution.
Pet owners and pets from other campus departments are not permitted to bring their pets into the Library unless they have received special exemption from the General Counsel’s Office and Library Administration has been informed. Library personnel are within their operational rights to ask pet owners to leave the building if such permission hasn’t been received.