Protesting CPSIA – an activists’ guide for bookstores and libraries
Friday, May 15th, 2009As people are beginning to realize, the recent passage of CPSIA has deep ramifications for education and literacy, reducing access to books in stores, libraries and charities. Hardest hit are the economically disadvantaged children among us. Here are some ideas to help get started in protesting and raising support for the repeal of this disastrous [...]
Why should I care about e-books? Lessons learned the hard way from the newspaper biz
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009I had the dubious privilege of working in the newspaper industry in the final heady years before its collapse. It has often worried me that the book industry carries a similar hubris about technology as newspapers did in, say, 2001. My job as director of online at the time was to usher in “new media” [...]
Books as contraband?
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009So, what really happens if CPSIA isn’t overturned? Those books you read and loved as a kid? Gone. Osbolete. Illegal, in fact. Books as contraband? Yes.
CPSIA, Schmipsia – Who cares?
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009Childrens’ book author Carol Baicker-McKee does. She is doing what many others should be doing – taking an activist approach to the unfortunate CPSIA bill and putting a little heart and soul (and sweat) behind it. She’s devoted most of her blog recently to covering CPSIA as it related to childrens’ books – well worth [...]
American Library Association urges citizens to take action on CPSIA bill
Monday, April 6th, 2009The ALA (American Library Association) is urging citizens to take action on the CPSIA bill, and urge their representative to support the amendment recently put forward by Rep. Fortenberry of Nebraska that would exempt childrens’ books from the burdensome legislation. The ALA has made it very easy – please take a moment now to use [...]
CPSIA and childrens’ books – the Winners and the Losers
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009With the recent passage of CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Act), with its serious implications for the sale and distribution of childrens’ books, we thought it might be appropriate to look at who “wins” and who “loses” in the book industry as a result of this bill. The Winners Publishers Because of the amendment which effectively [...]
Booksellers continue to be weighed down by CPSIA and whether to test for lead
Monday, March 30th, 2009The debate regarding childrens’ books and CPSIA continues to be an albatross around the neck of booksellers everywhere. According to the Wichita Eagle, a Nebraska congressman has introduced a bill (last Monday) that would exempt books from the toxic law. He also has a position statement on books and CPSIA his official website. While he’s [...]
Selling Used Childrens’ Books Is Not a Crime!
Friday, January 16th, 2009Many of us in the US book selling community have been concerned about recent legislation that was intended to offer new safety standards for children’s products. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was created to address concerns about harmful substances, such as lead, found in children’s toys being sold in the US. The wording [...]