Urgent: America's Libraries in Danger

[CeciLeibovitz]

The following can also be viewed (with pictures) on my blog-
http://ceska.typepad.com/little_ida/2009/01/democracy-now-interest-in-book-censorship.html

I just learned that Amy Goodman will be speaking about her new book "Standing up to the Madness" (re individuals standing up to the government through grassroots movements and prevailing) through "The Big Read" at Essex High School, in Vermont on January 24.

I sent the following story idea through the Democracy Now website. Does anyone have a direct Democracy Now connection/phone number so that I can follow up?

Democracy Now needs to hear from all of us. Please contact them as well, and feel free to borrow from my text.

URGENT: American's Children's Libraries in Danger

I have been working through the Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) since late November to fight for changes to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), a law that is poised to shut down thousands of small American crafters and businesses. This law takes effect on February 10, 2009--just 17 days from now.

The CPSIA was crafted in response to the lead toy recalls of 2007 (involving Hasbro, Mattel etc.). It mandates that *all* makers of children's items, test those items for lead at costs that can run into the thousands of dollars per item. This includes everything from books, to toys, to clothing, to bicycles, to public school education materials.

Businesses such as mine, who offer ethically produced items as an alternative to mass produced, profit driven merchandise, are in danger of extinction. Furthermore, the executive director of the American Library Association has stated that unless books are exempted from the law, she will be forced to ask all American libraries to ban children under age 12, or remove all children's books from the library shelves on February 10th.

For more information on this extremely time sensitive issue, I urge you to take a look at my Change.org. initiative here-
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
and the latest ALA information here-
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1573


Contact:
Cecilia Leibovitz, Handmade Toy Alliance
ceci (AT) craftsburykids.com, Montpelier, VT

[Former_Member]

I don't have a direct contact for Democracy Now, but I just wanted to express my support. Though I've supported the cause all along, this resonates with me even more than the ramifications for handmade toys. When libraries have to destroy books - or when children have to be banned from them - something is really, really wrong.

[ValeriesGallery]

Can you believe the insanity surrounding this?!?! banning children from libraries is the craziest think I ever heard!

[ValeriesGallery]

"thing"

[CeciLeibovitz]

It's absolutely insane.

[Former_Member]

It's so insane that I almost believe it can't be true!

[Former_Member]

Hello,
I sure have been hearing alot about this new law. Not only will it hurt crafters and business owners it will hurt consumers. My problem with all of this is that for years out country has been dependent on foreign goods. Giant retailers like Walmart and such have been selling these items for years. They still are.

I find this whole situationa bit interesting. Now that the economy is down more and more people are choosing to support local workers and artists. Wages are down and families are shoppping for bargains and at resale locations just to make ends almost meet. Large retailers are closing their doors, is this a ploy to get us all shopping retail again to boost our economy? Those are my thoughts!

The ban on the library books for children is ridiculous! There definately needs to be a grass root organization to fight this!
I love children and to care for their safety, but where do we draw the line? Big Brother is on his way!

[Former_Member]

Unfortunately, Big Brother has been among us for quite sometime. It's gotten to where we're told how to speak (i. e. politically "correct"), what we can and cannot do, make, sell, etc. The government needs a major league enema! I've even discovered web sites dedicated to the hidden agenda behind this digital conversion and, believe me, it ain't pretty.

[trendybindi]

Marking this... : (

[Former_Member]

un.
believe.
able.

[trendybindi]

seriously

[Former_Member]

I put the ALA story on my Facebook status and I'm already getting comments!!!!

[Former_Member]

Our local newspaper ran a story last Sunday on the new lead testing that is going into effect, and mostly talked about the impact it will have on thrift shops and second-hand stores and how they are kind of exempt from CPSIA. I am gathering information to send to him on the other ways this law will effect our lives - handmade, libraries, elementary schools just to name a few - in the hope that he will do some research and write another article from this point of view. Thanks for the info here. I will certainly include it in my e-mail to the newspaper journalist.

[saguarosally]

I'm just thinking of the next big crime wave to hit the streets: parents smuggling their small children into libraries illegally.

[saguarosally]

GenerationsTieDye says:
I put the ALA story on my Facebook status and I'm already getting comments!!!!
***********************
Ooh, good idea, I added a link on FB too.