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<TITLE>Lead in Books Update</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>Dear Directors: This appeared today on libs-or so forgive me if you already got it. It is important that all public library directors have this information from the ALA Washington Office. --> Jim<BR>
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Jim Scheppke, State Librarian<BR>
Oregon State Library<BR>
250 Winter St. NE<BR>
Salem, OR 97301<BR>
503-378-4367<BR>
(fax) 503-585-8059<BR>
jim.b.scheppke@state.or.us<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><FONT SIZE="5"><FONT FACE="Calibri"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:18.0px'><B>CPSC Issues Rule Regarding Lead Standards; More Guidance To Come for Libraries<BR>
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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. On August 26, 2009, the CPSC’s final rule on children’s products containing lead was released. <B>In the rule, CPSC confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the law.</B> 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. <BR>
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While we await the Statement of Policy, ALA recommends that libraries take the following actions. 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, it should remove it from public access, </SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT SIZE="4"><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:13.0px'>for instance by moving it</SPAN></FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'> to the non-circulating collection. We would also ask that if libraries do learn of any books containing lead to please let the ALA – Washington Office know so that we might share that information with other libraries. When the Statement of Policy is released, we will promptly notify our members.<BR>
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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica McGilvray, Assistant Director of the ALA Office of Government Relations at jmcgilvray@alwash.org <a href="mailto:jmcgilvray@alwash.org"><mailto:jmcgilvray@alwash.org></a> or 1-800-941-8478.<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><FONT FACE="Verdana, Helvetica, Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:13.0px'>Jessica McGilvray<BR>
Assistant Director<BR>
<FONT COLOR="#FF0000">A</FONT>merican <FONT COLOR="#FF0000">L</FONT>ibrary <FONT COLOR="#FF0000">A</FONT>ssociation<BR>
Washington Office - Office of Government Relations<BR>
1615 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., 1st Floor<BR>
Washington, D.C. 20009-2520<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:13.0px'>phone: 202-628-8410<BR>
fax: 202-628-8419</SPAN></FONT></FONT>
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