How New Lead Laws May Impact Libraries
Parents and schools go out of their ways to get kids reading, but a new law may close the book on library lending to kids under 12 in some cases.
The details are in this Fact Finder Report.
Barbara Nowinski with the Traverse Area District Library says "I don't think reading has hurt people in the past."
But a new federal law suggests otherwise. It's designed to keep kids safe from harmful levels of lead, which have been linked to learning and behavioral problems. It bans lead beyond the smallest amounts in most products intended for kids 12 and younger. This came about after a lead scare in children's toys.
Nowinski says "when congressional offices were called they said congress did not have the intent of including children's books in this new regulatory law."
But because of how broadly the law was written books were included. Specifically those printed more than 20 years ago, before most lead was removed from printer's ink.
Most books in children's libraries won't be impacted.
Nowinski says "most of the books in our library and in area are newer than 1987. We're constantly updating the collection and constantly weeding out old books."
But there are some important exceptions available only at libraries.
Nowinski says "there are so many children's book classics, some of which are out of print."
But it's not as easy picking out a few books.
Nowinski says, "if there were not an exemption on children's books and each book prior to 1987 had to be found and sent for testing, it would be prohibitively expensive and the first thing that would happen is all children's libraries would have to be closed for a while."
Since the law was written, libraries have been given a temporary exemption until next February so regulators can try and figure out the details of testing and enforcement. Libraries are hoping to get a permanent exemption.
So as it stands right now, libraries do not have to pull these books. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recommending they do. Some libraries across the country are pulling these books from the shelves, but I called libraries in Traverse City, Cadillac, Gaylord, Manistee and Petoskey and they are all keeping these books on the shelves for now.
What do you think, has this lead law gone too far? Is it too sweeping? Or should we do everything we can to keep our kids safe? Leave your comments below.
