QR or Quick Response barcodes are 2-D tags which can hold information such as URLS, contact information, photos, and more. They are read using a barcode reader and mobile phone’s camera, and they have become an increasingly popular way to do mobile marketing and promotion. Libraries have begun to adopt this new mobile tech and are using it in many innovative ways to put their services and resources in front of the their patrons. Here’s a quick guide to get you started creating your own QR codes for your library or organization.
Why Use QR Codes
QR Codes: Rise of the Code: David Hopkins at the eLearning Blog Don’t Waste Your Time gathers two new and insightful QR Code infographics in QR Codes: Rise of the Code. Each image provides detailed statistics on how these 2D barcodes are being used.
14 Million U.S. Adults Used QR Codes in June: comScore has issued a new report stating that 14 Million U.S. Adults Used QR Codes in June. The study was based on a sample of 14,452 adults.
How To Design QR Codes
Designed QR Codes: The Next Level: Speider Schneider writes for Webdesigner Depot about Designed QR Codes: The Next Level. This excellent article describes the process of designing these 2D barcodes, and includes plenty of examples and videos.
15 Beautiful and Creative QR Codes: Amy-Mae Elliott at Mashable rounds up 15 Beautiful and Creative QR Codes. I didn’t realize that these 2D barcodes have a 30% tolerance in readability until I read this post. That really opens up a lot of opportunities for libraries to be creative. The codes that made this list are exceptional, if you’re looking for inspiration you won’t want to miss this post.
Ways Libraries Are Using QR Codes
QR Code Comic Tutorial: Gwyneth Jones, The Daring Librarian, presents an excellent QR Code AT-A-Glance Comic Tutorial. This helpful infographic summarizes facts and potential uses of Quick-Response barcodes in the library and classroom.
Finding the Future: Inside NYPL’s All-Night Scavenger Hunt: Stan Friedman at Library Journal offers coverage of Finding the Future: Inside NYPL’s All-Night Scavenger Hunt. This amazing event gathered 500 gamers to “connect to the future through the riches of the past via the tools of today”.
QR Code Quest: a Library Scavenger Hunt: Gwyneth A. Jones, Teacher-Librarian at the Murray Hill Middle School, aka The Daring Librarian has created an exciting QR Code Quest: a Library Scavenger Hunt. This innovative use of QR (quick-response) barcodes was created as a library learning experience for 35 middle-schoolers in an ESOL program. What a great idea!
Scanning Library Cards on Smartphones: Brian Herzog at the Swiss Army Librarian writes about Scanning Library Cards on Smartphones. This is a very interesting article about how we can offer convenience for patrons who want to store their library card barcodes on their phones.
QR Codes and the Library: The Library Audio Tour: Michael Whitchurch, Information Commons Section Head at Brigham Young University, presented about QR Codes and the Library: The Library Audio Tour at this year’s ACRL 2011 conference. His paper is now available online along with over 60 top-notch papers from the event.
Best Practices
5 Big Mistakes To Avoid in Your QR Code Marketing Campaign: Matthias Galica at Mashable warns about 5 Big Mistakes To Avoid in Your QR Code Marketing Campaign. As QR codes become increasingly mainstream, libraries and other organizations will want to do their best to dodge these missteps.
5 Steps to a Successful QR Code Marketing Campaign: Jeff Korhan at the Social Media Examiner offers a quick guide to 5 Steps to a Successful QR Code Marketing Campaign. This is a detailed tutorial complete with video.
How QR Codes Can Grow Your Business (or Library!): Jeff Korhan at the Social Media Examiner writes about How QR Codes Can Grow Your Business. This is an excellent guide to quick response barcodes, what they are, and how to use them for your organization.
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