Point, shoot and educate using qr codes to inform your patrons

Point, Shoot and Educate: Using QR Codes to Inform Your Patrons

Malavika ShrikhandeSt. Ambrose University Library, Davenport, IA

and

Louise AlcornReference Technology LibrarianWest Des Moines Public Library

121st Iowa Library Association Conference Council Bluffs, Iowa October 2011

Apologies, I could not make it to the conference.

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A big thank you to Louise for helping with the presentation!!!

Malavika Shrikhande St. Ambrose University Library

What are QR Codes?QR codes were developed in 1994 by Denso-Wave, a Toyota subsidiary. Originally used for logistics.

Two dimensional barcode that can be decoded and read using a web-enabled mobile device with a camera.

What Can QR Codes Do?

A phone equipped with a camera and QR Code reader can

• Add Contact details to your phone• Initiate a call from your cell• Offer to send a Text SMS to someone (including the phone user)• Present some textual information on your cell• If you have web access, the QR code can Link to a URL

They are everywhere these days!!

Property listings

Cereal boxes

Plant nurseries

T-shirts Business cards

Sharing food recipes

Advertisements

Links to special offers

Hands up!Who has a cell phone with a camera?

Who can read this QR Code with their cell?

Has anyone read a QR Code on their phone?

Has anyone created a QR Code for their library?

Opportunity? Younger students and readers use their cell phones a lot

Cell Phone Applications: Summary of Use Frequently/Occasionally

2nd Edition %

Millennials%

Xers %

Boomers %

Matures %

Digital camera (still pictures) 63 80 75 49 32

Text messaging 61 86 75 44 15

Games 44 65 55 28 11

Video camera 41 56 52 29 12

Internet access 35 45 46 25 11

Email 32 42 40 24 12

Music Download 29 48 36 15 3

MP3 player 27 45 33 12 4

Download additional games from online 24 37 32 14 3

Watch professionally created content (TV, movies, news) 19 26 26 12 5

Watch user-generated videos (like YouTube) 18 28 21 12 2

GPS (global positioning service) 12 16 18 8 3

Introducing QR codes in Libraries

Three (or a two) step process 

1Introduce QR codes

2 Educate on how to use them

3 Create and use

Introduce & Educate

1. Information on the library website about QR codes2. How to use them- scan to get more information3. How can they help- saves time of the patron &

library staff, 4. What can they do- more information on library

items, books on stacks, connect collections to services & vice versa… etc.

5. Promote them- website, newsletter, posters, blog

At St. Ambrose University Library we are brainstorming on usingQR codes in a fun, useful and interesting ways. Some examples at the end.

Create & use QR codes

Create1. Many free QR code creators online (some allow to convert short

text too)- http://qrcode.kaywa.com/- http://www.qrstuff.com/ …and many more

2. Url shortners & QR code creators- http://bit.ly/ (add .qr to the shortened url to get the code)- http://goo.gl/ (also generates a url with a code)

3. To customize, you can add design, logo to QR code. Do not block the three squares or else the code will not scan.

You need1.Smartphone, iPad etc.2.Download Apps to read QR codes3.Steady hand while clicking the QR code

Accommodate for those who do

not have a smartphone- always

include a website link.

QR @St. Ambrose University Library

library staff directory(http://library.sau.edu/depts/STAFF.HTM)

My e-mail signature

(it has links to library’s social

media presence e.g. Twitter,

Facebook, Meebo etc.)

Connecting collections (inserting QR codes within a book/DVD to connect with the movie- e.g. Help-book = Help movie CD)

Yes, you can create QR codes

in any color!!

Create & embed a QR code url in a tweet

Brooklyn Public LibraryArlington Branch Details

Brighton Beach Branch Details

http://natehill.wordpress.com/2008/07/27/the-physical-internet-10-at-not-your-library/

• All 60 Branches of Brooklyn Public Library available as QR code for embedding into promotional materials and flyers

•Spreading the word about their libraries and making it easy to get in contact

QR @St. Ambrose University Library

Edible Banned Book Contest 2011Link to contest website on table tents and poster to promote the event.

New Titles at the SAU Library (monthly)QR code generated for the monthly listings. Web link to the monthly blog entry is also included.

http://bit.ly/qPxQ7X Contra Costa County Library and Bus

Future uses… “Human hyperlink” =

Stencils- announce events,- Directions toLibrary on campus,- Scavenger hunt clues

Image via New York Times

Wrist ID bands to scan QR for, -giveaways, -scavenger hunt clues, -purchase bands for a cause and lead them to a website for more etc.

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Promote mobile library website and catalog

Art work displayed in our library.Enhance the experience by providing the artist, artinformation in the form of a QR code.

QR on library book marks. Link to more library help.

QR code on rooftops…literally. Aim to be ‘seen’ on Google Earth/Maps. A huge marketing component for all libraries.

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Showcase databases periodically & link to more features of the database to a QR code.

Questions, Any thoughts you would like to share…

Malavika ShrikhandeSt. Ambrose University Library

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 563-333-6468

Twitter:@SAULib

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/malavikashrikhande

Thanks to you all and a very big Thank you to Louise!!

Louise’s Contact Info – Thank You!