using qr barcodes in library outreach

Using QR Barcodes in Library Outreach

Contact Linda Rath

Using QR Barcodes in Library Outreach

Linda Rathlinda.rath@baruch.cuny.edu

Graduate Services LibrarianNewman Library, Baruch College

Why did I experiment with Quick Response codes ….

• Outreach & Promotion • Complement in-person/print efforts

with mobile technologies• Provide on-demand learning

opportunities• Students take pictures of everything

– even computer screens

Why you may want to use QR codes …

• Free (you can pay for enhanced services)

• Easy to make and track• Can share/re-use QR codes with

colleagues• Provide help or enhance experience

Why you may not want to use QR codes …

• People do not know how to use them (need instructions)• Do students scan them?• Fleeting technology ???• “Ugly”

(Mobile device & QR reader apps)

Student/user perspective ….

Connect to Real Estate Research Guide

URLs(try to link to mobile friendly sites)

QR codes can contain ….

QR codes can contain ….

URLs to launch tutorials on media sharing sites

QR codes can contain ….

Geo Location/Map

QR codes can contain ….

Contact entry(vCard or Mecard)

QR codes can contain ….

Calendar Event

QR codes can contain ….

Message

QR codes can contain ….

SMS/text message

Which QR Generator? …..

• What information are you coding? • Do you want to track the code?• What are output options?

Which QR Generator? …..

http://qrmedia.us/qr-code-generators-list/

Create QR codes using free, online QR generators, such as …

http://goo.gl

Create QR codes using free, online QR generators

Screenshot from http://www.i-nigma.com/CreateBarcodes.html

Attach QR codes to pre-existing print documents

Print QR code on label paper, andattach to print materials

Print QR code on label paper, andattach to print materials

Insert QR code image files on web sites

(when students ask for contact info at service desks)

Insert directly into new documents

How else can they be used? …• Link to e-resources when in

stacks/classrooms• Link to supplemental materials/provide

context (maps, etc.)• With other apps; Evernote & etc.• Audio/video tours• Launch surveys/forms; get feedback

Best practices • Link to mobile friendly web sites • Test scannability of codes

(diff phones, diff QR apps, from various distances, various code sizes)• Use URL shorteners to create simpler QR

codes (better for older phones)• Include instructions near code; clue what

data is in the code

Best practices • Track your codes (bit.ly or goo.gl)• Save codes in a Word or Excel document

(annotate, organize, share)• Link to enhanced content

(don’t disappoint users)• Limit number of codes per document;

have plenty of space between codes if using more than one

Which QR Reader App? …..

Mac app store

Which QR Reader App? …..

• Read user reviews • Read trade journals/professional lit.• Download and test QR apps• Suggest QR app on your library web site • May use a few QR apps

(depending on info in code – SMS, contact, web site, etc.)

How will I continue …

• Collaborate with colleagues• Develop process

(which free services to use for generation & tracking of codes)• Suggest policy for library use

How will I continue …• Campaign strategies • Experiment with other apps• Use in ad/story in student newspaper

How will I continue …• Create custom code

QR Resources/Further Reading …

• http://qrmedia.us or http://qrmediaguide.com/ contains news/reviews/articles, such as “QR generators with

tracking” http://qrmedia.us/qr-code-generators-with-tracking/

• Schottmuller, Angie. (2011, Dec. 30). Top 14 things marketers need to know about QR codes. http://bit.ly/QRSearchEngineWatch (good overview)

• “QR Codes in Education” http://socialme.wikispaces.com/QR compiles infographics, statistics, videos, list of activities/uses

for codes, etc.

Using QR Codes in Library Outreach on SlideShare

http://slidesha.re/UsingQRCodes