Outreach Homebound Users

Managing Outreach Homebound Services

Outreach services allow libraries to support patrons who cannot visit the library in person—such as homebound individuals—via bookmobiles, mail, or designated representatives. These services are managed entirely through the OUTREACH Toolbar.

1. Creating an Outreach Route

Routes help organize deliveries by location or schedule. You must create a route before you can assign it to a patron.

1. From the OUTREACH Toolbar, select Create Route in the Route Information and Maintenance group.
2. In the Route ID field, enter a unique ID (up to 20 characters).
   Note: The ID must start with your library code.
3. Enter a descriptive Route Name (up to 70 characters).
4. Select your library from the Library dropdown menu.
5. Click Create Route, then click Close.
   

2. Setting Up Outreach for a User

Once the route exists, you must link it to the specific patron's account.

1. In the OUTREACH Toolbar, click Create Outreach in the Outreach Information and Maintenance group.
2. Search for the patron. If they do not yet have an account, use the Register New User helper.
   
3. Use the Route ID Gadget to find and select the route you created earlier. Searching by your library code will filter the list to your specific routes.
   
4. Click Create Outreach, then Close.

3. Finalizing the Outreach User Profile

To ensure the system tracks outreach history correctly, the patron's user profile must be updated.

1. Open the Modify User wizard in the Users group.
2. Identify the patron and navigate to their record.
3. Change the Profile Name to your specific ORHB profile.
4. Set the Charge History Rule to ALLCHARGES. This ensures the system tracks what the patron has already read to prevent duplicate deliveries.
5. Click Save.