The latest in "Protect the CHIILLLLLLDRUUUUUUUN!":

[theweaselking]

Banning kids under 12 from getting anywhere near books, for fear of a toxic reaction.

The money quote: "At this point, we are advising libraries not to take drastic action, such as removing or destroying books, as we continue to hope this matter will be rectified"

Comments

[lordbleys.livejournal.com]

And in other news, a boy named Guy Montag was born today.

[silmaril.livejournal.com]

"Under the current opinion issued by the General Counsel of the CPSC, the law would apply to books for children under the age of 12; therefore, public, school, academic and museum libraries would be required to either remove all their children’s books or ban all children under 12 from visiting the facilities as of February 10."

...I broke. I broke so hard that I don't know what it will take to put me back together again. King's horses and men aren't even in the running. Send help.

[stormfeather.livejournal.com]

Sorry, can't send help. Too broken.

And in related news, I really need a "WTF?" icon. -_-

[razelore.livejournal.com]

Well, ALA Midwinter happened this weekend, so hopefully they were able to do something to solve this problem. I'll share more information as I get it.

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

I remain unconvinced that anything useful ever happens at Midwinter.

...since I didn't go this year, it'd be ironic as hell if something did.

(Don't mind me. It took me less than four years to get jaded about this profession.)

[razelore.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, I'm already fairly jaded and I don't even have my degree yet.

[cantkeepsilent.livejournal.com]

Of course it is. And it's SO much worse than toxic emissions from power plants that the only way to save us from certain destruction is by shutting down all of the libraries immediately. Why do you distrust science so much?

[fengi.livejournal.com]

Maybe they saw the absurd episode of CSI: New York where a poisoned book was the weapon of choice.

[larabeaton.livejournal.com]

Or maybe saw The Name of the Rose?

[opaqueplanet.livejournal.com]

It's actually eating little charms and doo-dads* made of lead that they're worried about, but your average library doesn't have the money for an inspector to come in and test/examine each children's book for lead parts. Without that certification, you'll have to throw out even the paperbacks.

That said, this is a ridiculously overreaching and shortsighted law. It's stupid and should be repealed. Parents: check your kids' clothes and toys for stuff-that-hangs-off. If your kid (of ANY age) has a tendency to put things in their mouth (like I do), cut that shit off. Manufacturers, stores, from here on out, no lead in kids' products.
___
*for example, a weight or bead on a bookmark, textured pieces on books, etc.

[opaqueplanet.livejournal.com]

yes. See paragraph 2, sentence 2 for me saying those exact same words.

Just thought I'd clarify that it's not *handling* books (or lead products) that anyone thinks is dangerous. It's ingestion.

[tsunami-ryuu.livejournal.com]

I think you'd have to, y'know, lick the book to get any kind of ill effect. Eat it, even. AFAIK heavy metals don't just absorb through fingertips in any appreciable volume.

I'm inclined to believe your hypothesis about a censorship agenda.

[rimrunner.livejournal.com]

Small children are notorious for putting EVERYTHING in their mouths, books included.

[tsunami-ryuu.livejournal.com]

This is true. Though I imagine the book would have to be in the kid's mouth for a very long time to cause lasting damage.

[glitteringlynx.livejournal.com]

So, clearly all the problems of my mental illness and high IQ are the result of the heavy metals with which I became contaminated whilst spending endless hours in libraries, y/y?

[doom-diva.livejournal.com]

Oh this has been gaining a lot of attention lately with homeschoolers, libraries, resale shops, eBay folks, mom and pop toy stores, and pretty much anyone who has any contact with kids. My cousin owns a Once Upon a Child store, which is almost 100% stocked with small children's resale items, and believe me, she's worried. Even Goodwill is worried!

Since it is already law, just not in effect, people are scrambling to try to get the law updated. As it stands now, it would mean if you sell something that has lead in it, you can be fined $100k!!!!!! And yes, this includes people having yard sales.

Pretty fucked up, if you ask me.