U City Library Board Minutes 01-14-2009

Home Browse Search

University City Library board meeting minutes, l / 14/2009 Actions a. A motion was made, seconded, and approved by the entire board attending, stating the library board's understanding of the adverse impact of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulation that goes into effect on February 10, 2009 which mandates testing for the levels of lead in children's books both new and in the existing collection. There are no certified labs to perform the testing, such testing would require testing almost 50,000 items in the children's collection alone, the cost of testing is unknown and likely too expensive to perform and the regulation would require keeping children from having access to untested items after February 10, 2009. The board believes that this legislation and regulation will cause irreparable harm. The library entrances would have to be monitored to deny entrance by all children less than 12 years old after February 9, 2009. As this is infeasible and contrary to our purpose, the library would have to close entirely. The board believes the unintended consequences of the CPSC's actions must not force the closure of the University City Public Library. Consequently, the board agreed to join as a plaintiff, a suit for injunction being drafted by the American Library Association against the CPSC implementing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The board's actions will be communicated to the Missouri State Librarian, Margaret Conroy. President's report None. Committee reports None. Old business None. New business The members had a general discussion on budget issues (possible lower income for instance) for the next year and about planning a special event to commemorate the library's anniversaries this year (70th of its founding and 40th in this building). Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:28p.m., 1/14/2009. Larry Nolan -Board Secretary Page 2 of 2