Outreach Services Processing

If your Polaris system includes outreach services functions, you can automatically select titles that interest your homebound patrons based on each patron’s preferences, and have the materials delivered to the patrons. When you designate a patron for outreach services, you create a profile of reading preferences and other characteristics. Based on this profile, Polaris generates a selection list of titles from which you select available items for a pick list, pull the items on the list, and check them out. If the outreach services patron has designated an individual to pick up the items, you contact the individual, and the items circulate in the normal way. Or, after pulling the items on the pick list, you may process them for delivery. You can set the packed items aside for the delivery drivers, or if the delivery method is by mail, you can print mailing labels or export patron address information to another application. You can also manage outreach services for multiple patrons, based on the next scheduled delivery date or delivery method and route.

Your library may also collect title ratings from outreach services patrons. You send a packing list to the patron along with the items checked out, and the patron returns the packing list with title ratings when the items are returned. You then enter the ratings in the patron’s reading history.

An outreach services “patron” does not have to be an individual. If your library circulates items to institutions such as long-term care facilities, you can set up a patron record for the institution and designate the institution as an outreach services patron. With this method, you can track and control the items that circulate to the institution.

The default values and available options for outreach services are set in Polaris Administration.

Note:
If your system does not include Polaris Outreach Services, the features described in this unit are not available.