This is the second time I'm come across this in 24 hours. At first I didn't know what to think of it. I don't care what you political stance is, folks were are talking about books here. I am really still trying to grasp this. We are in America and they want to stop selling books!!!! I fear if this does go through, what more is to come?
Ok I will stop here and let you read the email I got from a fellow
homeschooler. (I deleted much of my ranting.)
The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned---
Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.
Effective February 10
th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12
and under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books
in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale. What does this mean to the homeschooling family? Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army. Clothing, toys and books -- even
CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child. No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however,
how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".) Just how serious is this new law?
Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the
manufacturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather- in older books or even rare out-of-
print books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead. I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after February 10
th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book. (Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.) So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children's books? Or that
homeschool curriculum business? Or your EBay business selling children's items? ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines: 1) Email or call the
CPSIA - the office of the
CPSC ombudsman at888-531-9070.
http://www.cpsc. gov/cgibin/ newleg.aspx Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,2009. Or email:
Sec102ComponentPart sTesting@ cpsc.gov 2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact
informa-
tion, just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz. com/americanappa rel/dbq/official s/3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3
in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://change. org/ideas/ view/save_ handmade_ toys_from_ the_cpsia4) Sign the petition.
http://ipetitions. com/petition/ economicimpactso fCPSIA/index. html5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.---For the complete story, read the following links:
http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/cpsia. html Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule
and other rulings
http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/legislatio n.html#summaries Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require
ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10
th, 2009
http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/summaries/ 101brief. html Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products
http://www.cpsc. gov/about/ cpsia/faq/ 101faq.html Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found on our web site at
http://www.cpsc. gov/library/ foia/advisory/ 317.pdf Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books
http://news. bookweb.org/ news/5695. htmlThere is no lead in Children's books: From a
Pedtricianhttp://health. yahoo.com/ experts/childhea lth/3955/ is-there- lead-in-baby- books/
J was really interested in the swan. We just finished reading The Trumpet of the Swan.
Just a sign on the way. The buildings in the window look like an old western! Actually the street in the window is the original downtown. It has some neat buildings.
