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Ad Lib: Advocacy for Libraries

January 23, 2009

Are Libraries Going to Get a PG-13 Rating?

Under 12? No going into the library for you!

At least, that seems to be the fear:

A federal law that will soon go into effect could have some startling consequences, including the possible banning of children from libraries unless certain books are pulled from the shelves.

The law is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and it is designed to protect children all over the country from the dangers of lead.

Experts said there could be trace amounts of lead in books because of the ink. That’s why the government wants all books, old and new, tested for lead.

. . .

The law goes into effect on Feb. 10. After that day, all products for children under 12, including books, games, toys and even clothing, must be tested for lead.Critics argue lead testing is expensive. For a book it could between $300 and $600.

ALA is fighting this, of course, arguing that the cost of testing is prohibitive, and would result in either countless books being pulled from the shelves, or else kids under 12 not being allowed to enter the library.

There’s news, of a sort, on this issue that came yesterday from ALA’s Washington Office:

A public meeting was held January 22, and Cheryl Falvey, General Counsel for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), stated that a decision should be made by the first week of February regarding libraries.  . . .

[W]e must let the CPSC know how important an issue this is to libraries.  … Explain to the Commission that it is simply impossible for libraries to remove all children’s books from the shelves and/or ban children under 12 from the library and still provide the level of service that is needed.

You can read the full action item here, which includes contact info for the CPSC’s acting commissioner, as well as specific talking points.

posted by Alan at 10:17 am | Comments (4)

January 13, 2009

Libraries’ Value in Tough Economy

Just got a great link to information on how libraries can let their communities know of services they have to help folks through tough economic times.  While most have seen the video at the link below,  look farther down the page for pieces of a toolkit that can be used to be sure your patrons and your communities know just how valuable you are.

The ALA toolkit contains information on how to work with decision-makers, ways to work with the media, and talking points to help libraries articulate the role of libraries in times of economic downturn. Talking points on the economic value of libraries, with return-on-investment examples; libraries and the economy; and upswings in library usage are included.

www.ala.org/tougheconomytoolkit

I think this information would make a great discussion and look forward to comments on the blog about how libraries are telling their communities about their value.

posted by Judy R. at 1:24 pm | Comments (0)

January 12, 2009

Exciting New Advocacy Program at NSLS on February 12!

Greetings Advocates! We have a great advocacy program that was recently posted to the L2 calendar which will be taking place here at North Suburban Library System on February 12, 2009.  Marci Merola, ALA’s Director of the Office for Library Advocacy, will be facilitating a fun dinner- workshop for us.  The program, Advocacy on the Go!  is conveniently scheduled for after-work hours. Marci presented this training opportunity for trustees and advocates in other states and each time the workshop was well received. Here is the link to the L2 calendar for sign-up. https://www.librarylearning.info/events/?eventID=5435

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all.  Hope to see you on the 12th!  Donna Tieberg, Program Manager, 847-353-7160, dtieberg@nsls.info

posted by donna at 4:03 pm | Comments (0)