2006-08-14

Dangerous Toys in Libraries

Highsmith has recently had a lead content test completed on a sample of the Bendable Cat and Dog toys sold to public libraries through the Collaborative Summer Library Program. This test, completed by Analytical Process Laboratories Inc., Milwaukee, WI, confirmed an earlier report from the Indiana Board of Health that the lead content in these particular toys exceeds the maximum allowable limit under current federal regulations.

The sample Highsmith tested registered .277% lead content. The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Section 1303 stipulates that lead may constitute no more that .06% of the weight of the paint applied to a toy.

At this time, Highsmith has discontinued sale of this item and recommends all libraries cease distribution of any remaining Bendable Cats and Dogs in their possession and issue a recall to all patrons who may have received this toy. To control the proper disposal of these Bendable Cats and Dogs, Highsmith requests that all customers contact us at 1-800-448-4887 to arrange for return shipment and to receive a credit or refund for the product cost.

On October 14, 2005, prior to distributing these toys through the Collaborative Summer Library Program, Intertek Testing Services tested the Bendable that was to be distributed by Highsmith. The test reported that the Bendable was in compliance with the applicable federal code. Highsmith has documentation of this test in its possession.

For more information on the hazards of lead, visit:
http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/leadguid.html or http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/PrevLeadPoisoning.pdf

Any questions should be directed to Matt Mulder, Director, Highsmith Publications at mmulder@highsmith.com or (920) 563-9571 x381.”

2006-08-07

BookMooch - Possible weeding tool?

Check this out:
From the site:
"BookMooch is a community for exchanging used books.

  • Give & receive: Every time you give someone a book, you earn a point and can get any book you want from anyone else at BookMooch.

  • Points for entering books: you receive a tenth-of-a-point for every book you type into our system, and one point each time you give a book away. In order to keep receiving books, you need to give away at least one book for every two you receive.

  • Help charities: you can also give your points to charities we work with, such as children's hospitals (so a sick kid can get a free book delivered to their bed), Library fund, African literacy, or to us to thank us for running this web site .

  • World wide: BookMooch is not just for Americans.

  • Why create this?: if you're passionate about books, you know how emotionally difficult it is to throw a book away, even if you will never read it again. You want to find a good home for your books, have them find someone who appreciates them. "


  • 2006-08-03

    Barcodes anywhere video, or "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'em"

    We did this video today to illustrate that we have the ability to read barcodes anywhere with our FlashScan units. We did front, back, inside, on the long end of a VHS, the back of a CD ....went a little nuts in the end tho...hey it hammers home our point.

    With scores of current installations, these scanning engines have proven to be able to process virtually any type of barcode with poor quality barcodes and/or poor lighting conditions. The engine is fully microprocessor driven and progressive scans up to 52 scans and 1650 scans of the barcodes per second to mathematically provide the “best scan”. With this capability, our engine has a far greater chance to read poorly printed or damaged barcodes.

    The barcode can be presented to the scanner in a variety of ways (in-line, upside-down, inverted, …etc) and will be read by the scanner appropriately. Internal validation mechanisms are in place to ignore non-library specific barcodes, such as UPC or ISBN codes often found to confuse patrons. (cool!) If the library wishes, a special prompt can be enabled that would read the “wrong” barcode type and let the patron know that they need to look for a library-specific barcode.

    Cool and Funny Book Title Contest Results


    Coudal Partners said, "The idea is to mash up the name of a book with the name of a band." the results are here.

    Hey I love my job but this seems like a good place to work.........






    and speaking of chalkboards everywhere: