1 Khyle Hannan MLIS 7500 Technology Trend Report 4/21/11 QR Codes Throughout history a librarys role in society has

been to provide access to information and assist people with finding information that they seek. In the past, information was largely in print form but today the vast majority of new information is created in electronic form. Libraries have had to adapt to this change and now help people locate information across both mediums but truly connecting them has always been difficult. In addressing this difficulty, (Wisniewski, 2010) says: These two worlds often have little meaningful connection. Until recently, the only initiative librarians have taken to bring these worlds together is to advertise their librarys website somewhere in the physical space or to encourage users of virtual services that the physical space is open, welcoming, and full of great stuff to explore with comfy chairs from which to do it. (p. 55) The prevalence of electronic information has been steadily increasing over the last 20 years but a new trend has been the growth of mobile internet connected devices such as smart phones. Today libraries need to develop plans to take advantage of the benefits that mobile electronic devices provide. In the 21st century, libraries are in a unique position of bridging the gap between the print and electronic worlds of information and QR Codes are a tool that many cutting edge libraries are using to aid in this endeavor.

2 A QR or Quick Response Codes purpose is to provide a link to electronic information in the physical world. A QR Code is a 2D barcode that is capable of storing a large amount of information. Typically a QR Code is connected to a website URL but it can also be linked to text such as a persons contact information or a phone number. The codes are scanned by a smart phones camera and read by a scanning application within the phone. In the case of the URL example, once scanned, the phones web browser would then be automatically directed to the URL linked to the code. Below is an example of a QR Code that is linked to Googles homepage:

One of the benefits of QR Code technology and why they are so advantageous for libraries is their low cost. The codes can be made online by using many of the free generator websites available. All that you need to do is enter the information that you would like to link to the code such as the URL or text, choose the size of the code and then copy, paste or print the code once completed. QR Codes provide many opportunities for libraries. The codes act as a bridge between the physical and electronic worlds of information similar to the role of libraries today. There are many applications for QR Codes in a library ranging from simple to complex and limited only by the creativity of the library implementing them. A simple example of library using codes would be to hang signs at the reference desk with different librarians contact information and a QR Code that is linked to the contact information as well. Patrons with a smart phone could scan the code and save the librarians

3 information, including name, subject, phone number, location and office hours to their address book in seconds. Here is an example of how we are using QR Codes at the library that I work for:

When a patron scans the attached code it redirects their phones browser to a webpage optimized for mobile devices with all of the various contact information in the list. They can click on the phone or text reference number to call or save the number. They can click on any of the additional links such as email, Twitter, Facebook and various instant message programs and be directed right to our communication or social media services. The University of Bath in the United Kingdom is using QR Codes in innovative ways in their OPAC and in helping patrons navigate the library. The University of Baths OPAC contains a QR Code for almost

4 every record that when scanned will bring up all of the relevant bibliographical information such as the title, call number and author, etc. Certain item records even direct the patrons phone to a scanned copy of a chapter from that particular book (Library Web Team, 2011). To help patrons navigate the building the librarys online floor plans contain a code that when scanned load an mp3 audio tour of a particular floor or subject area (Library Web Team, 2011). Below is an example of a University of Bath OPAC item record with accompanying code:

A more complex application of QR Codes would be to create an online video tutorial for a process such as using the catalog to find a book in the stacks or explain how to use a difficult piece of hardware

5 like a microform reader. Once the video is created and uploaded a QR Code linked to the URL of the video site is then created and placed in the physical area such as near the OPAC computer or microform reader. A patron having difficulty using the OPAC or microform reader can then scan the code with their smart phone and be directed to the video tutorial demonstrating the proper procedure. In conclusion the world of information is changing rapidly and libraries face a number of barriers in keeping pace with the advancing technological environment. Electronic information will continue to be the format of choice for content and demand for the support of mobile devices will not only increase but will soon become the standard for all computing in the 21st century. As budgets continue to be constrained, libraries are forced to try and meet these patron demands with less funding. The technology behind QR Codes provides libraries with a low-cost tool that can address all of these issues with a number of additional benefits. The codes themselves are extremely flexible and how a library applies them is only limited by its employees imagination. QR Codes will soon become commonplace in our society and libraries would do well to take a proactive early adoption approach to ensure that they are providing their patrons with the highest level of service.

6 References Library Web Team. (2011). What is a QR Code? Retrieved April 21, 2011, from University of Bath Library: http://www.bath.ac.uk/library/services/qrcode.html Wisniewski, J. (2010). Bridging the Other Digital Divide. Online , 55-57.