QR Codes in Libraries

You have seen them everywhere. On a soda bottle, on a flyer, on an advertisement on the back of a bench. Before I had a smart phone I paid no attention to these little black and white cubes. I knew they were there, but never really bothered to figure out what they were. Once I got a smartphone, however, I started to actually use QR codes. I would pull out my phone every time I saw one and surprisingly I saw a lot of QR codes in libraries.

When I first thought about QR codes libraries weren't what came to mind. But there are so many ways to use QR codes in libraries, especially school libraries, that it seems a little crazy that I didn't connect QR codes to libraries before. QR codes are wonderful ways to link the users of your library to information you think they may want. For example, QR codes on library books can link to author's websites or to websites discussing that genre. Imagine a elementary student picking up a book with a QR code, scanning the QR code and finding themselves looking at a book trailer of a book by the same author. QR codes in libraries can connect students to book trailers, pathfinders, websites on that topic, a Goodreads review of a book or even information about a book's sequel that is coming out in a few months, etc. You can also place QR codes directly on your bookshelves. For example, place a QR code that links to the video on the Declaration of Independence, on the bookshelf that holds all the American Revolution books. And don't forget about using QR codes to connect to parents. Does your school have a monthly newsletter that is sent home to the parents? Why not place a QR code on that newsletter, linking parents to their student's work. The opportunities are endless.

Don't just stop there, check out other librarian's blogs or pinterest for some great QR code ideas. There are some really creative ways to use QR codes in the library out there. For example, one school librarian decided to put QR codes on all of the magazines, linking students to the online version of that magazine (Malespina, 2011). Another librarian actually got students involved in creating the QR codes. Students were asked to think of websites that would go along well with a particular book. Students would then write down the book title and the website and give it to the librarian to approve. Once approved these QR codes would be placed on the actual books themselves for other students and teachers to look at. These QR codes linked to everything from fan fiction, to websites on that genre, and even student made book trailers (LaGarde, 2011).


Above is a QR code that links to interesting idea on how to use QR Codes. Take a look!

And here is the URL in case you don't have a QR code reader handy
http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2013/05/qr-code-loo-reviews-pocket-videos.html

LaGarde, J. (2011, July 4). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.librarygirl.net/2011/07/holy-bodacious-barcodes-using-qr-codes.html

Malespina, E. (2011, Nov 29). Qr code presentation . Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/elliotel/qr-code-presentation-10390078