2. Using QR Barcodes in Library
Outreach
Linda Rath
linda.rath@baruch.cuny.edu
Graduate Services Librarian
Newman Library,
Baruch College
3. Why did I experiment with Quick
Response codes ….
• Outreach & Promotion
• Complement in-person/print efforts
with mobile technologies
• Provide on-demand learning
opportunities
• Students take pictures of everything
– even computer screens
4. Why you may want to use QR codes …
• Free
(you can pay for enhanced services)
• Easy to make and track
• Can share/re-use QR codes with
colleagues
• Provide help or enhance experience
5. Why you may not want to use QR
codes …
• People do not know how to use
them (need instructions)
• Do students scan them?
• Fleeting technology ???
• “Ugly”
22. How else can they be used? …
• Link to e-resources when in
stacks/classrooms
• Link to supplemental materials/provide
context (maps, etc.)
• With other apps; Evernote & etc.
• Audio/video tours
• Launch surveys/forms; get feedback
23. Best practices
• Link to mobile friendly web sites
• Test scannability of codes
(diff phones, diff QR apps, from various
distances, various code sizes)
• Use URL shorteners to create simpler QR
codes (better for older phones)
• Include instructions near code; clue what
data is in the code
24. Best practices
• Track your codes (bit.ly or goo.gl)
• Save codes in a Word or Excel document
(annotate, organize, share)
• Link to enhanced content
(don’t disappoint users)
• Limit number of codes per document;
have plenty of space between codes if using
more than one
28. Which QR Reader App? …..
• Read user reviews
• Read trade journals/professional lit.
• Download and test QR apps
• Suggest QR app on your library web site
• May use a few QR apps
(depending on info in code –
SMS, contact, web site, etc.)
29. How will I continue …
• Collaborate with colleagues
• Develop process
(which free services to use for
generation & tracking of codes)
• Suggest policy for library use
30. How will I continue …
• Campaign strategies
• Experiment with other apps
• Use in ad/story in student newspaper
32. QR Resources/Further Reading …
• http://qrmedia.us or http://qrmediaguide.com/
contains news/reviews/articles, such as “QR generators with
tracking” http://qrmedia.us/qr-code-generators-with-tracking/
• Schottmuller, Angie. (2011, Dec. 30). Top 14 things marketers need to
know about QR codes. http://bit.ly/QRSearchEngineWatch
(good overview)
• “QR Codes in Education” http://socialme.wikispaces.com/QR
compiles infographics, statistics, videos, list of activities/uses for
codes, etc.
