I received this last week...the call for action is in the second paragraph:
LindaH
Waco-McLennan County Library
-----Original Message-----
From: Kristin K. Murphy [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 8:26 PM
To: Linda Howell
Subject: Dear Linda, Please Call the Consumer Product Safety Commission
January 22, 2009
Dear Linda,
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. 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.
As always, thank you for all that you do. The only way we will be successful
in ensuring that children will have access to safe books is with a strong
grassroots effort. Your comments to the CPSC need to be submitted as soon as
possible, so please tell all your friends and family - we need as many people
as possible to communicate that this oversight could have lasting ramifications
on our children and our communities.
* The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 has been
interpreted to include books as a product that must be tested for lead. While
it is understandable that the CPSC must protect children from toxic materials,
publishers have already tested the book components and found that the lead
levels are lower than the regulations require three years from now.
Additionally, all book recalls in the last two decades have been because of
toys attached to the books that posed a choking hazard, not the books
themselves.
* Making these testing regulations retroactive would require both school
and public libraries to take drastic steps to come into compliance. They
either would have to ban children from their libraries or pull every book
intended for children under the age of 12 from their bookshelves at the time
children are fostering a lifelong love of learning and reading.
* In order to allow children and families to continue accessing critical
library materials, please either exempt books from the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act of 2008, accept the component tests that have already been
done, or exempt all books currently in school and public libraries. This will
ensure that our children continue to have access to safe and educational
library materials.
Thank you for your continued support of libraries!
Sincerely,
Kristin Murphy
Government Relations Specialist
American Library Association - Washington Office
1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20009-2520
Phone Number: 202.628.8410
Fax: 202.628.8419
[email protected]
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