using qr barcodes in library outreach
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Using QR Barcodes in Library Outreach
Contact Linda Rath
Using QR Barcodes in Library Outreach
Linda [email protected]
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