I use ICHAT and find it easy to use. It only lists people who have been convicted of a crime. I got one hit a couple of years ago. Christine Lind Hage, Director Rochester Hills Public Library 500 Olde Towne Road Rochester, MI 48307 248/650-7122 From: michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Gail Parsons Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2013 3:32 PM To: James Lenze Cc: michlib-l@mail.mcls.org Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] background checks You can also register with the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which is through the Michigan State Police. Searches are free for governmental/school agencies. You might also see if your county has an online record system that you could access. On Tue, Oct 8, 2013 at 2:58 PM, James Lenze <jamesl@gardencitymi.org<mailto:jamesl@gardencitymi.org>> wrote: A quick search of Michigan's Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS -- http://mdocweb.state.mi.us/OTIS2/otis2.aspx) and the Sex Offender Registry (http://www.mipsor.state.mi.us/) is good especially for potential new hires and volunteers who will be working with minors. James From: michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org> [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org>] On Behalf Of Frederick J. Kirby Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2013 1:39 PM To: Julie Grynwich; michlib-l@mail.mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mail.mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] background checks Julie, One easy way to start this process is to do a Google search of the person's name. If anything turns up, you could then take it a step further and possibly pay a firm for a more extensive search. This method is far from foolproof, but it is better than nothing. Yes, it would be best to do this for volunteers as well as job applicants. Frederick J. Kirby, Library Director Benton Harbor Public Library 213 East Wall St. Benton Harbor, MI 49022 269-926-6139<tel:269-926-6139> (voice) 269-926-1674<tel:269-926-1674> (fax) libraryfjk@yahoo.com<mailto:libraryfjk@yahoo.com> From: Julie Grynwich <nblibrary@comcast.net<mailto:nblibrary@comcast.net>> To: michlib-l@mail.mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l@mail.mcls.org> Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2013 1:35 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] background checks Sorry if this has been addressed before... how do you do background checks on employees and volunteers? Do you use a service, or do you do an in-house method? Also, do you do them for your volunteers? Thanks! Julie Grynwich New Buffalo Township Library 269-469-2933<tel:269-469-2933> nblibrary@comcast.net<mailto:nblibrary@comcast.net> _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@lists.mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@lists.mcls.org> http://lists.mlcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@lists.mcls.org<mailto:Michlib-l@lists.mcls.org> http://lists.mlcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l -- Gail A. Parsons-Doughty Assistant Director for Human Resources and Finance Traverse Area District Library 610 Woodmere Ave. Traverse City, MI 49686 231-932-8527 (phone) 231-932-8500 (fax) gparsons@tadl.org<mailto:gparsons@tadl.org> (email)