[Tasl] libraries and safety regarding lead in books

[Becky Jackman]

I am sure that AASL will be coming out with the same information tomorrow,
but here is the latest information regarding the issue of lead in library
books.

Becky Jackman
School Librarian
Northeast High School
Clarksville, TN


------ Forwarded Message
*From: *Beth Yoke <byoke at ala.org>
*Reply-To: *<yalsa-bk at ala.org>
*Date: *Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:12:45 -0400
*To: *<yalsa-bk at ala.org>, <ya-yaac at ala.org>, <pubyac at lists.lis.illinois.edu>,
School Library Media & Network Communications <LM_NET at LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
*Conversation: *Gen: libraries and safety regarding lead in books
*Subject: *[yalsa-bk] Gen: libraries and safety regarding lead in books

*CPSC Issues Rule Regarding Lead Standards; More Guidance To Come for
Libraries
*
As the American Library Association (ALA) has emphasized since first
enactment of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), concern
for children’s safety is our first priority in providing materials to young
patrons (12 and under).  On August 26, 2009, the CPSC’s final rule on
children’s products containing lead was released.  *In the rule, CPSC
confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library
books for lead under the law.* CPSC also announced its intention to release
a Statement of Policy specifically providing guidance for libraries with
regard to the treatment of older children’s books that could potentially
contain lead.  According to our conversations with CPSC officials, that
Statement of Policy should be released within the next several weeks.

While we await the Statement of Policy, ALA recommends that libraries take
the following actions:
1. If a library is aware that any children’s book does indeed contain lead
above the legal limits or otherwise presents a danger to children, the
library should remove it from public access, for instance by moving it to
the non-circulating collection.
2. We would also ask that if libraries do learn of any particular books
containing lead to please let the ALA – Washington Office know so that we
might  share that information with other libraries.  Please be sure to
provide full citation information, including ISBN.

When the Statement of Policy is released, we will promptly notify our
members.  If you have any questions or would like to report a book
containing lead, please feel free to contact Jessica McGilvray, Assistant
Director of the ALA Office of Government Relations at jmcgilvray at alwash.org
<mailto:jmcgilvray at alwash.org> <jmcgilvray at alwash.org>  or 1-800-941-8478.


Beth Yoke, Executive Director
Young Adult Library Services Association
fastest growing division of ALA
50 E. Huron St. Chicago, IL 60611
1.800.545.2433 x4391
fax: 312.280.5276
Download YALSA's Advocacy Toolkit
http://tinyurl.com/YAadvocacy
byoke at ala.org <mailto:byoke at ala.org> <byoke at ala.org>



------ End of Forwarded Message



-- 
Becky