Renata Curty, PhD StudentSchool of Information Studies

Brown Bag – Bird Library, Syracuse University March, 28 2011

QR CODESALTERNATIVES TO ENHANCE

LIBRARIES’ SERVICES

OUTLINE What is a QR code?

How it works?

Why to apply?

Some applications

QR Codes & Libraries

Recommendations

QR - Quick Response

2D Barcode

Denso Wave - Japan (1994)

Paper-Based Hyperlinks

Cross-reference principle

Also Digitally applied

WHAT IS A QR CODE?

Source: http://www.jennerations.co.uk/foxandgoose/adobedocs/technical%20docs/What%20are%20barcodes.pdfSource: http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/qrfeature-e.html

Linear informationNumbers onlyMaximum Capacity: 20 digits

QR Code Data CapacityNumeric only Max. 7,089 characters

Alphanumeric Max. 4,296 characters

Binary (8 bits) Max. 2,953 bytesKanji, full-width Kana Max. 1,817 characters

WHAT IS A QR CODE?

More Technical Advantages...

o Small Printout Size

Source: http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/qrfeature-e.html

o Kanji and Kana Capability

o Dirt and Damage Resistant

o Readable from any direction in 360°

o Structured Append Feature

WHAT IS A QR CODE?

The same data can be read either from the upper symbol or the lower four symbols.

A Mobile Phone with a Camera afree QR Code Reading Software and Internet Access

Snap a Picture

Instant Decoding Web page/Content

DECODIFICATION PROCESS

Position it

HOW IT WORKS?

CREATING A QR CODE

Free QR Code Generators Define the concept and content Share

WHY TO APPLY?

Source: Gartner (2010)

BESIDES...

People love mobile phones More than 90% of us keep our cell phones within arm’s reach 24 hours a day, 7 days a

week, 365 days a year. More than 70% of us actually take our cell phones to bed with us. Over 70% of us now use our cell phones as alarm clocks. A study by Unisys revealed that if we lose our wallet, we report it missing in 26 hours.

If we lose our cell phone, we report it missing in 68 minutes. (Darwill.com)

It is interactive and very simple to use

Save time and effort (type URLs)

WHY TO APPLY?

QR CODES IN USE

Marketing/Advertisements/Commerce Promoting an exhibition

Want to check inside?

Want to check the evaluations or reviews about a restaurant?

More Information about your mail tracking?

Locate yourself!

QR CODES IN USE

Recipes, additional information about storage, nutrition...

Promote yourself better!

Need a distraction?Honor/tribute to someone

Information about famous people

Call attention to a cause!

QR CODES IN USE

Mobile version of the library’s catalog or databases

Point-of-use instructions at point-of-need locations

Ask a Librarian, Helpdesk or Chat Services

Library Tours, Library Guides & Maps

Book Reviews

Polls & Evaluations

Phone, email or address (GPS)

Services and expositions advertise

Pre-formatted tailored searches

Ebooks, databases , special collections associated to other sources

Availability of study room and materials…

Source: http://mobile-libraries.blogspot.com/2010/06/qr-codes-and-libraries.html

QR & LIBRARIES

QR & LIBRARIES

QR & LIBRARIES

SU Library Catalog

Special Archives

WikipediaPersonal Website

Others Sculptures on Campus

Others Sculptures on Campus

Some points that librarians should take into account:

Not all patrons might be are aware of them;

Not all patrons might have the required device and software;

Main information still need to be provided in a conventional way

Efficient and update display and of the information needs to be constantly checked;

Define effective pedagogical uses of QR codes

Accessibility to disable people

RECOMMENDATIONS

See more: http://www.thinkroth.com/blog/how-to-a-first-qr-code-campaign/

For a good implementation:

Identify the target

Define the location

Keep all codes at least one inch squared and printed in good

resolution (dpi)

Provide engaging content & clarification for use

Create a mobile friendly website (complex contents)

Evaluate the results

RECOMMENDATIONS

recurty@gmail.com

Images retrieved from Google Images