A short introduction to QR Codes and how they can be used in Libraries. The actual presentation at Dunedin Public Library (6 March 2014) included a practical session with examples of QR Codes that participants could experiment with.

1. QR codes
QR Codes – um, WTF?
CC BY NC SA : Sarah Gallagher MA MLIS RLIANZA
@sarahlibrarina

2. What are they?
• “Quick Response” code
• A 2D barcode into
which all kinds of data
can be embedded
• Scan it with a mobile
device
Source: CC By Jeremy Keith
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adactio/3203904948/

3. How do I scan them?
1. Download a free QR
code reader / scanner
to:
• Your phone
• Your mobile device
2. Select the app, point
and scan.
CC http://openclipart.org/detail/160969/qr-scanner-red-by-centroacademico

4. What are they for?
• Advertising products
and services
• Connecting the print
and digital realms
• Adding value to your
collections
• Adding interactivity to
static collections
Source: CC BY SA Paul Stainthrop
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pstainthorp/5425127994
/

5. How do I make them?
There are a number of websites that offer a free
QR Code generation service
http://goqr.me - embed URL, sound, email,
phone number, text
http://goo.gl shorten link + .qr = QR Code!
http://bit.ly - create an account, create a short
link, use this to create a QR Code and gather
stats

6. How can I use them?
Some ideas
• Link hardcopy books to
ebook version
• Advertise ebooks
• Add value to exhibitions –
like to artist info / video /
websites
• Link to forms / competitions
/ events information
• Link to library locations /
staff
Some more ideas

7. Reading
2D code: QR code and two dimensional bar
codes, news, views and analysis. http://2dcode.co.uk
Potter, Ned. (2012) The Library Marketing
Toolkit
Saravani, Sarah-Jane. (2010) QR codes:
Pushing the library out or bringing the world
in? LIANZA Conference
http://www.lianza.org.nz/sites/lianza.org.nz/fi
les/1330_sarah-jane_saravani.pdf
Thing 9 QR Codes in 23 Mobile Things
http://anz23mobilethings.wordpress.com/the23-things/
Source: CC BY SA Pinkysanhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/picpinky/84
02765280

8. Credits
Source: CC BY Paul Wilkinson http://www.flickr.com/photos/eepaul/4727277245/
Cover image: CC BY Thomas Leuthard http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasleuthard/8696257428/