This document discusses QR codes and their use in libraries. QR codes allow large amounts of data to be encoded and stored compactly. They can be used in libraries to provide links to electronic resources, new arrivals, contact information, and other URLs. While some libraries have already implemented QR codes, their use could be more widespread. However, issues like network connectivity and user knowledge may present challenges to broader adoption. Overall, the document argues that QR codes are a novel tool that can help libraries connect users to resources through mobile devices.

1. ADVANCING STORAGE AND
SERVICES BY QR CODE:
A COST EFFECTIVE TOOL
Munesh Kumar
Assistant Librarian
NIT Goa
Email: munesh@nitgoa.ac.in
Abhishek Kumar
Research Scholar
DLIS, BHU
Email:
abhishek6589@gmail.com
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

2. WHAT IS QR CODE?
“QR = QUICK RESPONSE”
 QR code looks as a matrix shaped, two dimensional (2D) image code to
encode and share the data.
 QR code come in to animation just to serve the purpose to locate the
original things in among other similar kind of things.
 It is helping to locate the exact address of a product which may be
goods, articles, e-contents etc.
 Serve the purpose better than other conventional codes like barcode in
terms of data preservation and readability and data correction.
 May be used in Libraries in housekeeping activities for better services to
dynamic users.
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

3. HISTORICAL GLIMPSE
 QR code comes from Japan in 1994 by Denso Wave, subsidiary of vehicle
company Toyota Japan.
 Reason - high data storage capacity & easy to handle and implement as
well to recover data from damaged code to avoid the loss of the data
encoded.
 Initial uses - to track auto parts of vehicle company for its originality, quality
and along with the manufacturer information.
 Freedom of reading direction- read the data at 360 degree, but in other
code it is only 180 degree readability is found.
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

4. QR CODE IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
In this changing publication environments we, human are not able to
recall the location of information existing on web sources. E-document
contains the unique number, which is to be used to trace the document.
If you are not following the same scripts, location/path of resource, you
may not be able to get the exact resource. Hence, information
management is very important today. If you manage these critical
information with the help of QR Code, it could be more purposeful and
user satisfactory no need to recall the path and information contains in
URLs or URIs of resources.
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

5. WHY QR CODE IN LIBRARY & INFORMATION CENTER
If, you follow the Normative principle of Library Science the many principles are fitting
well the merits of QR code.
 Size- It takes smaller place to affixes. Hence, follows the lows of
parsimony.
 Cost effective- It can be easily created by websites and free down able
software.
 Easy to implement- Easily, data can be converted in to QR Code form and
can be user for purpose.
 Free- Denso, inventor has its patent right but free for all for the purpose
except commercialization.
Conti…
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

6.  Both side data- It is stores data in both sides vertical and
horizontal.
 High capacity to store the data- It has very high capacity to
store data of different form as numeric(7,089ch),
alphanumeric (4,296ch), and kanji/kana(1,817ch).
 Offline and online readabilities- It can be decoded and
encoded online as well as offline, for the contact no., web
Information, v-cards, memos, SMS etc.
 Privacy- Information can be coded and send to specific
person without losing the privacy contains in coded
information.
Input mode Max. characters bits/char possible characters, default encoding
Numeric only 7,089 3⅓ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Alphanumeric 4,296 5½ 0–9, A–Z (upper-case only), space, $, %, *, +, -, . , /, :
Binary/byte 2,953 8 ISO 8859-1
Kanji/kana 1,817 13 Shift JIS X 0208
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

7. HOW TO GET QR CODE IMAGE & APPS
 Apps are freely available online at Google play.
 Can be Downloaded and installed in your handheld device
like: smart phone, Android base phone etc.
 Encode and covert in desirable format such as:
.gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png etc.
 Scan the QR Code image by your same handheld device and
get the information encoded vice-versa.
Links to generate the QR Code. Following links may be useful for you to
get the QR Code:
 www.qrcode.kaywa.com/
 www.qrstuff.com/
 www.createqrcode.appspot.com/
 www.qrcode.littleidiot.be/
 www.qurify.com/
 www.beqrious.com/qr-code-generator/
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

8. UTILIZATION OF QR CODE
 Sharing the Links of e-resources.
 BuBs Services
 New arrivals links
 Introduce yourself at sign board.
 On the documents, the book details information.
 Share OPAC Links.
 Links of subscribed e-resources.
 Other URLs and URIs as per your library e-resource
 Library in handheld devices like: tablet, smart phone
etc., make mobile library.
 QR code in to do list.
 Gateways to share the web resources.
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

9. QR CODE EXISTING IN LIBRARIES
There are some prominent university which have adopted QR code in
their library as a service tools …
 Lawrence University Seeley G. Mudd Library.
(www.lawrence.edu/library/)
 Boise State University’s Albertsons Library.
(www.library.boisestate.edu/)
 Brigham Young University’s Harold B. Lee Library.
(http://lib.byu.edu/sites/qrcodes/)
 ACU Library. (www.library.acu.edu.au/)
 Bath University Library. (www.bath.ac.uk/library/)
Note: The Library, NIT Goa is also adopted QR Code in its
functions recently.
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

10. WEAKNESS AND PITFALLS OF QR CODE
Directly or indirectly it has some weakness, which are playing a
major role in not to be implemented. Problems are as follows:
 High rate of Internet connectivity
 High prices of reader and devices
 Poor networks in developing countries.
 Knowledge of users.
 System
 Faith and psychological barriers in users.
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

11. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
o QR Code is a very novel tool to save the data in encoded form, in different
typed: numeric, alphanumeric, binary and kanji, a Japan origin language
with huge capacity.
o Contains data in both vertical & horizontal, hence more data can be
encoded.
o Data recovery capacity up to 75%. Features of data division helping in this
regard.
o It is able to cope up with ICT perspectives and creates a amiable relation
between library and end user by giving them access his own device.
o By taking images of QR code users can save their valuable time in writing
the long alphanumeric big size URLs.
o It is being used in industries and advertisement companies, some
universities and libraries have started but it should be on large scale.
o There are online forums to provide help regarding the implementation and
using methods.
o Options are there with QR Code, just need to explore it.
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

12. REFERENCES:
 Blogs .Web Strategy Blog. An Introduction to QR Codes, retrieved on: January 10, 2014
 Bornemann, E. (2012). Best QR code innovations. Information Today, 29(2), 10-10. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/920318616?accountid=143356
 Denso ADC publishes QR code essentials guide. (2012). Wireless News, Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/919573261?accountid=143356 , retrieved on: January 10, 2014
 DENSO appoints VitreoQR as sales and support partner for QR code(R) software and hardware. (2011, Feb 24).
Business Wire. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/853596931?accountid=143356
 DENSO taps VitreoQR as sales and support partner for QR code software and hardware. (2011). Professional Services
Close - Up, Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/855838898?accountid=143356
 eBay (R) adds QR code(R) scanning and eBay marketplace listings to popular Red Laser barcode-scanning iPhone(R)
app. (2010, Oct 14). Business Wire. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/757880437?accountid=143356
 Heltman, B. (2012). QR code benefits for reps. Agency Sales, 42(4), 48-49. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1009076557?accountid=143356
 Introducing the next generation of QR code scanners. (2012). PR Newswire Europe Including UK Disclose, Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com/docview/916865415?accountid=143356
 Pupa, N. G. (2012). Cracking the "qr" code. Journal of Property Management, 77(1), 11-11. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1014263197?accountid=143356
 QR Code Wikipedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
 Research and markets offers report: Cracking the QR code. (2012). Entertainment Close - Up, Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/913409980?accountid=143356 retrieved on: January 10, 2014
 The ACRL. URI: http://crln.acrl.org/content/71/10/526.full
 Word Barcode Generator.URL: (http://www.onbarcode.com/word_barcode/qrcode.html#3)
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.

13. THANKING YOU!
59th International Conference of ILA on Managing Libraries in the Changing Information World: from surviving to thriving - 22-24 Feb 2014.