[Libs-Or] Fwd: [District Dispatch] ALA Files Comments, Urges CPSC To Exempt Libraries from Regulation Under Consumer Product Safety Act

[Diedre Conkling]

http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1621


ALA Files Comments, Urges CPSC To Exempt Libraries from Regulation Under
Consumer Product Safety Act
<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1621> January
26th, 2009 | Category: Government
Information<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?cat=3>,
Grassroots Lobbying <http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?cat=20>,
OGR<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?cat=17>

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Library Association (ALA) today filed
comments with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), urging the
commission to issue notification confirming that the new lead limits under
the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSIA) do not apply to library books and
related materials.

Under the CPSIA, which was passed by Congress in August, children's products
are required to undergo stringent testing for lead and phthalates.
Currently, the General Counsel of the CPSC  is interpreting the law  to
apply to ordinary, paper-based books for children  12  years of age or
younger, so that all such books and product would have to be tested for lead
content.  Therefore, public, school, academic and museum libraries would be
required either to remove all their children's books or ban all children
under 12 from visiting the facilities as of February 10.

The ALA's comments explain that the new CPSIA standards applicable to
children's products should not apply to library books on library shelves
prior to February 10.  Since a library's books are neither "produced" nor
"distributed" by the library, the law should not apply to library books.  At
this point, however, the CPSC has indicated that the law will apply to
libraries.

Additionally, the ALA's comments reaffirm the comprehensive evidentiary
support the publishing community has supplied the Commission that children's
books do not present any of the health or safety risks to children that the
law aims to address.  This evidence provides an ample basis for CPSC to
exercise its regulatory authority to determine that books inherently satisfy
the new lead standards.

Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA Washington Office, said it is
critical the CPSC take these comments into consideration.

"If the commission does not correct their ruling to include library books
under the regulation of the Consumer Product Safety Act, communities and
schools across the country are going to be shocked and outraged on February
10," Sheketoff said.

"While we understand the process the CPSC must carry out in order to ensure
this law is properly enforced and that the safety of our nation's children
is protected, we believe the commission is wasting time and resources by
zeroing in on book publishers and libraries. It is our hope that this matter
will be resolved soon, so that libraries can continue their efforts to serve
children without the threat of closing their doors."

The ALA's letter to the CPSC can be viewed
here<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/ala_comments.pdf>
.


-- 
Diedre Conkling
diedre08 at gmail.com
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