Free Criminal Checks at the Fay. Public Library

[LaWood]

"Unannounced criminal background checks on Fayetteville Public Library employees and the possibility of criminal checks on the 160-400 library volunteers have led to what might be called a sensitive situation at the library.

Executive Director Louise Schaper talked about a communication problem and the responsibility the library has for the safety of its patrons, including many children.

“ Anybody with a badge is someone people would trust, and that’s why we need to do this, ” Schaper said.

Ah yes, if not the terrorists it's the children for whom we must trade in our constitutional rights.
http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/58737/print/

[Savonarola]

We had our own little mole inside the library for a while. The administration there is so far beyond reality that few would believe it. Having had extensive discussion with said inside source, I don't find this story surprising at all.

What I especially like is the claim that they were looking into it and it just happened. Background checks cost money, even for government subsidized entities, so it's not like somebody just submitted a requisition, wrote a check, handed it over, and then upon getting back information said, "Oh, gee, I thought this was a practice run..."

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

I don't have a problem with background checks (except they are expensive). I do have a problem with secrecy. If it's going to be standard practice to "protect the kids", fine - but state that in the application- job &/or volunteer.

[LaWood]

This one was particularly bothersome:

Ferritor said he knows there is some question to the value of such checks because people don’t get caught for most of the bad things they do.

Does he mean that secret personal investigations are "bad things" or does he mean volunteers and employees doing bad things seldom get caught?

.

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

Knowing Ferritor's sense of humor, he probably meant that background checks are a waste of time and money because nobody still walking around outside a cell - library people or otherwise - gets caught on the bad stuff they do.

[LaWood]

One local lawyer supports the library background checks:

I write in response to the article about the Fayetteville Public Library’s decision to undertake background checks on employees and possibly volunteers. As an attorney with 28 years experience, including extensive practice in employment matters, and as a 30-year patron of the FPL, I feel qualified to address this matter. The actions taken by the FPL are perfectly legal and exceedingly responsible. It is also a very common practice. I respectfully suggest the criticism voiced is not well-founded and any anger is misplaced.

............


Not once in her LTE did she mention "secret." She continues:

The volunteers and employees at the FPL are certainly assumed to be trustworthy, honest, well-intentioned and their character beyond reproach. But the days of resting on such an assumption are over. The notion that such an inquiry is a personal affront is outdated.

Kelly Carithers / Fayetteville

Think you want Kelly representing you on a 4th Amendment case?

http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/58834/

[Barbara Fitzpatrick]

Actually, I think "secret" IS illegal. Every place I've ever applied that did background checks had me sign authorization for them to access my private records as part of my application.