Successfully Using QR Codes in Libraries

Cheryl Burnette, WebmasterHomewood Public Library

HomewoodPublicLibrary.orgcburnette@bham.lib.al.us

205.332.6631

Successfully Using QR Codes in LibrariesConnecting our shelves with electronic content

Video: How to use QR codes

www.cnet.com.au/how-to-use-qr-codes-339302140.htm

About QR (quick response) codes

• 2D barcodes originally created by Japanese company Denso-Wave in 1994 to keep inventory

• Because scanning requires less effort than typing a URL, QR codes are becoming mainstream

• In a nutshell, install a QR Reader on your phone, take a photo of the code, and be quickly directed from something physical to something digital!

A Few Stats

• 14 million US mobile phone users scanned QR codes or barcodes in June 2011…

• …mostly via newspapers, magazines and product packaging, both at home and in-store

• Barcodes that offer a discount or coupon, or allow the consumer to learn more about a product or service are the most popular

Mashable, August 2011

Get a free QR code readerDownload and install a QR code reader that is

compatible with your phone. Many are free, so there’s no need to purchase one: RedLaser, BeeTagg, NeoReader, and others.

QR codes are used to:• Connect to a mobile website• Watch a video• Send an SMS (text) message• Make a phone call• Embed contact info on a business card• Embed text (i.e. scavenger hunt)• Map an address• Send email

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23148333@N06/4947612409

Two rules for creating QR codes

1. If URL, must lead to a mobile optimized site

2. Use a URL shortener when possible to reduce the volume of data converted

http://bit.ly/oIKgRP

http://www.pla.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/alexawards/alexawards.cfm

Create your own QR codes for free

kimtag.com/homewoodlibrary

• Easy setup/simple interface• Hub, or landing page, is mobile optimized• Stats are included• Links are editable! That’s dynamic!• can add your own logo and link icons• Large QR code is 595X595 pixels

Pros

• Only shortens URLs

Cons

Kimtag kimtag.com

Create your own QR codes for free Bitly bitly.com

• Recommend for single URLs only* (see Cons)• Sign in with Twitter or Facebook• Shorten and share links• Click Info Page to find your QR code & stats• Detailed stats

• *Bitly Bundles are NOT mobile optimized! Do not use the QR code that leads to the Bundle!• Bitly links are not editable• Only shortens URLs• Largest size QR code is 249X249 pixels

Pros

Cons

bitly.com/u/weknowbooksetc

Create your own QR codes for free invx invx.com

• Creates huge QR codes

• URLs• email • phone numbers • vCards • SMS

• No stats

Create your own QR codes for free Zxing zxing.appspot.com/generator (pronounced "zebra crossing")

• Quick

• Good for content other than URLs

•Largest code is 350X350 px

• No stats

Jules Verne’s classic Around the world in 80 days: The ubitour version guided by your mobile phone

http://youtu.be/OE5Ch4NnVu0

B r a i n s t o r m

Use QR codes to improve library services: Embed URLs that quickly connect to:

mobile library websitemobile catalog

dynamic search in a catalog (i.e. “writing graphic novels”)mobile databases (i.e. EBSCO)

library blogs that are mobile optimized (Blogger and Wordpress automatically convert their content into mobile versions)

virtual tour of

the library

instructional

videos on YouTube

mobile versions of

book suggestions or

read-alikes

place inside books and on shelves to lead to book trailers, mobile friendly blogs and author sites

SMS (text) for text reference services(Google Voice is a free text service)

contact information

(phone number and email)

create a scavenger hunt

Use QR codes to improve library services: Embed other information:

geo location/map of library

Giveaways or coupons(embed text or graphic)

www.thedaringlibrarian.comThe Daring Librarian

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aculibrary/3011082552

http://www.flickr.com/photos/halfhollowhills/4504965499Uh-oh! Does not point to a mobile site!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aculibrary/3011082552Warning! Does not point to a mobile site!

How to turn a regular book into an interactive book with QR Codeswww.technologybitsbytesnibbles.info/archives/5066

http://youtu.be/OwZH_aT0FGI

place code inside book

code points here

Other uses: scanning UPC codes

Other uses: scanning ISBN numbers

Other uses: eBay app – scan UPCs

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