Good news for schools and libraries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has granted a one year stay in the implementation of the new rules in regards to lead and other dangerous substances.
The strict interpretion of the new rules would have required schools and libraries to conduct tests of their books and other print materials starting this month. Fears were that children under the age of 12 would be restricted from using materials until they were tested and certified as safe.
Now, the CPSC has more time to review these rules and make adjustments as needed. The library community is partnering with the publishing industry among others in helping to get the safety commission to realize that materials already in schools and libraries have content levels of lead and other substances far below the new standard proposed. There is no need for extensive testing of collections already in place.
Thank you to all of you who communicated with the CPSC about this issue. No doubt their fax machines, computers, and telephones were overloaded with messages from concerned librarians and citizens.
Safety of our children is everyone’s interest but extremes need to be avoided when they are unnecessary.
Lou Ann Jacobs
ISLMA Legislative Advocate
