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Create a virtual group

A virtual group is one type of group that QuestionPoint libraries can form online. For general information about virtual groups, see Virtual groups (overview).

Requirement
Procedure
Related topics

Requirement

You must be an administrator whose institution has an active profile in the Global Reference Network to create a virtual group.

Procedure

To create a virtual group:

	Action	Result or Note
1	Log on to QuestionPoint using your administrator authorization number.
2	Select Administration in the Select Service drop-down menu at the top of the page.	The system displays the Create New Librarian Account page of the Administration module.
3	Click the Virtual Groups tab.	Note: If the Virtual Groups tab does not appear, your institution does not have an active profile in the Global Reference Network. For more information about a profile, see Why should your library complete a profile and keep it up-to-date?
4	Click the Create a Group link below the tab.	The system displays the New Virtual Group page (or the New Cooperative Group page) on which you create a virtual group.
5	For Use This Group for, check the Referral box if group members may refer questions among themselves when they need assistance providing answers. Check the Web Form Coverage box if group members may provide Web-form question coverage and extended hours of service for each others' patrons.	Note: You may check 1 or 2 boxes.
6	In the Group Name box, type a group name of up-to-60 characters and spaces.	Note: In Group Name, you could describe the purpose and scope of the group for members and potential members. You might include the group's subject area, geographic area, types of libraries or organizations, etc. For example: Public Libraries with Specialized Art Collections. Also, when libraries look for a group to join, they can search by a keyword or text string in the group name or by the first letter of the group name. Therefore, include words in the name that would be used to find your group. Begin the name with a word that might be used first to find your group.
7	In the Contact E-mail Address box, type the e-mail address to receive questions about your group from members and potential members.	Note: Use your e-mail address unless you want someone else to answer questions about the group.
8	In the Contact Name box, type the name of the person to receive questions about your group from members and potential members.	Note: Use your name unless you want someone else to answer questions about the group.
9	For Enrollment Status, click the Open button if institutions may join the group now. Click the Closed button if institutions may not join the group now.	Note: If you select Closed, you must update the group to select Open when institutions may join the group. For more information, see Update or delete a virtual group. If the enrollment status is open, the Join this group link appears with the group's information on the Group Enrollment page and institutions may join the group. If the status is closed, the link does not appear.
10	For Activation Status, click the Active button if group members may participate in group activities now. Click the Inactive button if they may not.	Note: If you select Inactive, you must update the group to select Active when members may participte. For more information, see Update or delete a virtual group.
11	In the Description and Purpose box, type information about the group that you want to share with members and potential members.	Note: Describe the purpose of the group and any qualifications required. Institutions should be able to tell from this description whether this group is appropriate for them or not.
12	Click the Save button.	The system creates the virtual group.

Create a virtual group

Requirement

Procedure

Related topics