Federal Act Could Hurt Libraries
Librarians, Parents Say Law Is Overreaction
POSTED: 10:11 am CST February 25,
2009
UPDATED: 2:39 pm CST February 25,
2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some local librarians have grown dissatisfied with the Consumer Protection Act and are calling it a disaster.
Video: Librarians Not Happy With Consumer Protection ActThe act was intended to monitor lead in Chinese toys, but it has caused huge problems for small toymakers, consigners and librarians.The act said that anything that children under the age of 12 use should be tested for lead. That statement has been broadly interpreted, causing what some say are overreactions with children's books."How can we be a country that condones this? This is crazy. The commission should be focusing on where the danger is, toys that have lead, not in books, which do nothing but teach children a love of reading," said Emily Sheketoff of the American Library Association.The main library in downtown Nashville has a couple hundred thousand children's books. A lead test can cost $300."We are awaiting the outcome. We are prepared to comply with the law if that ends up what we need to do," said Deanna Larsen of the Nashville Public Library.Complying with the law won't mean lead testing, but it will mean transforming the entire look of the library. Since the libraries cannot afford to test all of the books for lead, they would have to get rid of every children's book in the library or not allow children in the library. This is why this one-year implementation delay is not satisfying everyone."I'm all for the consumer protection and protecting children from lead, but I do feel it is ridiculous that it's extending to books," said Nashville mom Michelle Fuqua.The consumer protection agency has postponed implementation of this new law for one year in order to try to fix its flaws.The librarians have said, "Send us letter saying libraries are exempt from the act," but the Federal Bureau of Consumer Protection said they won't do it.The American Library Association said there has never been a case of a book having a dangerous level of lead. Popular Slideshows On WSMV.com: Slideshow: Red-Hot Redheaded Celebrity Women Slideshow: New Celebrity Parents Slideshow: Celebrities Commit Fashion Faux Pas Slideshow: 'Dukes Of Hazzard' Stars: Where Are They Now? Slideshow: 20 Internet Acronyms All Parents Should Know
Video: Librarians Not Happy With Consumer Protection ActThe act was intended to monitor lead in Chinese toys, but it has caused huge problems for small toymakers, consigners and librarians.The act said that anything that children under the age of 12 use should be tested for lead. That statement has been broadly interpreted, causing what some say are overreactions with children's books."How can we be a country that condones this? This is crazy. The commission should be focusing on where the danger is, toys that have lead, not in books, which do nothing but teach children a love of reading," said Emily Sheketoff of the American Library Association.The main library in downtown Nashville has a couple hundred thousand children's books. A lead test can cost $300."We are awaiting the outcome. We are prepared to comply with the law if that ends up what we need to do," said Deanna Larsen of the Nashville Public Library.Complying with the law won't mean lead testing, but it will mean transforming the entire look of the library. Since the libraries cannot afford to test all of the books for lead, they would have to get rid of every children's book in the library or not allow children in the library. This is why this one-year implementation delay is not satisfying everyone."I'm all for the consumer protection and protecting children from lead, but I do feel it is ridiculous that it's extending to books," said Nashville mom Michelle Fuqua.The consumer protection agency has postponed implementation of this new law for one year in order to try to fix its flaws.The librarians have said, "Send us letter saying libraries are exempt from the act," but the Federal Bureau of Consumer Protection said they won't do it.The American Library Association said there has never been a case of a book having a dangerous level of lead. Popular Slideshows On WSMV.com: Slideshow: Red-Hot Redheaded Celebrity Women Slideshow: New Celebrity Parents Slideshow: Celebrities Commit Fashion Faux Pas Slideshow: 'Dukes Of Hazzard' Stars: Where Are They Now? Slideshow: 20 Internet Acronyms All Parents Should KnowCopyright 2010 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Got a story idea? E-mail newstips to news@wsmv.com or call the newsroom 24/7 at 615-353-2231.
