A library can conduct background checks directly through the Michigan Department of the State Police ICHAT program. To enroll in this program and gain access to ICHAT, the Library will need to contact Marci Tharsher, ICHAT Coordinator at cjicichathelp@michigan.gov or call 517-241-0713 to obtain an agency access code. (There is a tutorial available online to provide guidelines on how to use the ICHAT program at www.michigan.gov/msp for your convenience). This is a free service to all governmental agencies. Our insurance agency also suggested that we could contact our local law enforcement agency to ensure that potential employees do not have a background that would disqualify them from working in the library. They state that this option was the most effective by allowing a law enforcement assessment/comment of a potential employee's criminal background history. Unfortunately, our local law enforcement agency was unable to perform that service due cuts in funding and staff. Nannette Pretzer Director St. Charles District Library 104 W. Spruce Street St. Charles, MI 48655 www.stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org 989-865-9371 n.pretzer@vlc.lib.mi.us From: Denise Stefanick [mailto:dstefanick@whitelakelibrary.org] Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2013 3:35 PM To: n.pretzer@vlc.lib.mi.us Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] background checks Hello Nanette, I am interested in using ICHAT at our Library. Would you please forward the information that you have on this service. Thank you, Denise On Tue, Oct 8, 2013 at 2:16 PM, Nannette Pretzer <n.pretzer@vlc.lib.mi.us> wrote: Julie, Nonprofits can sign up for ICHAT through the Michigan State Police with no charge to the agency. If you are interested in the information, contact me and I will be happy to forward you a copy of the information. Our Michigan Township Participating Plan recommended that we do this for all volunteers and new hires. Good Luck! Nannette Pretzer Director St. Charles District Library 104 W. Spruce Street St. Charles, MI 48655 www.stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org 989-865-9371 n.pretzer@vlc.lib.mi.us From: michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Julie Grynwich Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2013 1:35 PM To: michlib-l@mail.mcls.org 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 nblibrary@comcast.net _______________________________________________ Michlib-l mailing list Michlib-l@lists.mcls.org http://lists.mlcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l -- Denise M. Stefanick, CPLA Assistant Director White Lake Township Library 7527 E. Highland Road White Lake, MI 48383 (p) 248-698-4942 x 5 (f) 248-698-2550 dstefanick@whitelakelibrary.org