[LM_NET] GEN: Information about the action needed for the CPSC (long)

[Sara Kelly Johns <sarakellyjohns@YAHOO.COM>]

Hi, All--I've attempted to put together background on the issue...It's long and 
important.

There are talking points on the ALA Washington Offic site  
<http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=12492861> about this lead issue which 
can potentially cause school libraries (and public) to have to pull collections or 
restrict acess to books for children under the age of 12 after Feb. 10th. 

Until I received this message a few hours ago asking for e-mails with cc to 
Congress members, it was thought that we were close to getting an exemption for 
libraries. 

Posted on the ALA Chapter listserv today was a message asking for calls and e-mails 
to the Consumer Product Safety Commission chair Thomas Moore <tmoore@cpsc.gov> to 
encourage him to exempt libraries from removing books:
New information…
I have spoken with Commissioner Nord at the CPSC.  She is completely on the side of 
libraries.  She and Commissioner Thomas Moore will make a decision together 
regarding the exemption of libraries.  Nord understands our situation and 
sympathizes with us whereas Commissioner Moore is NOT of the same mind.  
Commissioner Moore is the person we need to convince as well as our legislators.  
He can be emailed at tmoore@cpsc.gov . 
 
She explained that Congress created this situation for libraries and at this point 
want the CPSC to fix it and that she does not think it will be remedied by the 
February 10 deadline.

Jeanette M. Hammons, Director
Elko-Lander-Eureka County Library

From: Don Wood [mailto:dwood@ala.org] 
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 7:27 PM
To: alacro-l@ala.org
Subject: [alacro-l] Please Call the Consumer Product Safety Commission
 
A public meeting was held January 22, and Cheryl Falvey, General Counsel for the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), stated that a decision should be made by 
the first week of February regarding libraries.  She advised libraries not to take 
any action at this time, and we are hopeful that the Commission’s decision will 
exempt libraries.
 
Even with her assurances, we must let the CPSC know how important an issue this is 
to libraries.  Please call the Acting Commissioner, Nancy Nord, at (301) 504-7923. 
When you call this number, wait for the automated directory to give you directions 
to reach Nancy Nord’s office. [The person we need to target is Thomas Moore; call 
HIS office--SKJ] Explain to the Commission that it is simply impossible for 
libraries to remove all children’s books from the shelves and/or ban children under 
12 from the library and still provide the level of service that is needed.
 
For talking points, see http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=12492861

An earlier message from ALA Washington Office's Kristin Murphy stated : Congress 
passed legislation titled "The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008" 
last August.  This legislation seeks to decrease the levels of lead and phthalates 
in products
intended for children under 12 and will be enforced by the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC).



Currently, books are considered an unregulated product.  This means they are 
generally considered safe and are not subject to the same rules and regulations as 
toys and other objects on the U.S. market.  Under
the new interpretation of the CPSIA, books would be subject to the same testing 
standards as children's toys and clothing.



Very few recalls have actually involved books; in fact, the recalls
surrounding books have not happened because of the books themselves but rather the 
toys that were attached to the books that were conside
potential choking hazards.  In spite of this information, the standard hardcover 
and paperback books would be subject to the same testing standards as children's 
toys under the new legislation.



As a result of these new regulations, publishers have tested the
components of books and found that the levels of lead in children's books were far 
below the future legal requirements at the full
implementation of the regulations three years from now. 

However, the advisory opinion from the CPSC says that not only must the testing be 
done by one of their certified labs but that this legislation also is retroactive, 
and every book must be tested.  This situation will become even more complicated 
because the CPSC has not certified any labs to administer the lead testing.



These regulations go into effect on February 10th, 2009, which means
school, academic and public libraries will be forced to either remove all 
children's books from the shelves, or ban children from entering libraries 
completely.

It's complicated and rather absurd but still needs our involvement.

Thanks, Sara J
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sara Kelly Johns

Immediate Past President, AASL

Associate Editor for AASL Community, Knowledge Quest

Lake Placid Middle/High School LMC

34 School Street

Lake Placid, NY 12946

518-523-2474, ext. 4132

FAX: 518-523-4861

johns@northnet.org

SaraKJohns@aol.com

 



"Information is the currency of democracy." -- Thomas Jefferson

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------