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 10th, 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, or 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 manu-

  facturing 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 10th?  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 at

     888-531-9070.  http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

      Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,

     2009.  Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

   2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-

     tion, just enter your zip code.

     http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

   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_cpsia

   4) Sign the petition.

     http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

   5) 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.