Horizon Processes

The Horizon system consists of different features called “processes.” Each process lets your library staff do a certain type of library task. To help your library’s workflow, the default Horizon installation organizes the processes into categories (sometimes called “modules”).

Each category has its own folder on the Launcher navigation bar. (For more information, see Overview of the Launcher.) Your system administrator determines which folders and processes you have access to in your Horizon environment.

Horizon includes these main categories of processes:

Cataloging. Lets your library set up and maintain a library catalog. Horizon catalogs both MARC and non-MARC records.
Circulation. Lets your library check items in and out. Circulation also lets you and track information about “borrowers” (the individuals who check out items from your library). (For example, for each borrower you can keep track of contact information, the items checked out, overdue fines, and hold requests.)
Acquisitions. Helps you acquire items for your library. You can create, track, and process purchase orders and maintain accurate purchasing records. You can customize Acquisitions to fit your library’s accounting system.
Serials. Lets you manage periodical subscriptions (magazines, newspapers, and journals). You can process newly arrived periodicals, predict receiving dates for future issues, and generate claims to vendors for late issues. Serials also lets you route specific copies to different people and departments. If your library chooses to bind serials issues together, your library may also use Serials Binding, which helps your library organize serials issues for shipment to the company who does the binding.
Administration. Lets your library’s system administrator set up and maintain your library’s Horizon database and security.

Each of these categories of processes are explained in separate user’s or administrator’s guides. Your library may also use additional Horizon products, such as Reserve Bookroom, Media Scheduling, Home Service, or Inventory.

Horizon also includes processes that let you search for items in your library catalog, or for other records on your database, such as purchase orders in Acquisitions. (For more information on searching, see Searching.)

Borrowers can search your library’s Horizon catalog by using a web browser to access the Horizon Information Portal searching interface. Depending on how your library chooses to set up Information Portal, borrowers can also use Information Portal to create book lists, place hold requests, and view personal information (such as fines and items checked out). (For more information on Information Portal, see the Information Portal online help or the Information Portal System Administrator’s Guide.)

 


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