Presentation given at Iowa Library Association Annual Conference, October 14, 2011

1. Point, Shoot and Educate:
Using QR Codes to Inform Your Patrons
Malavika Shrikhande
St. Ambrose University Library, Davenport, IA
and
Louise Alcorn
Reference Technology Librarian
West Des Moines Public Library
121st Iowa Library Association Conference
Council Bluffs, Iowa October 2011

2. Apologies, I could not make it to
the conference.
-----------------------
A big thank you to Louise for
helping with the presentation!!!
Malavika Shrikhande St. Ambrose University Library

3. What are QR Codes?
QR codes were developed in 1994 by Denso-Wave, a Toyota subsidiary.
Originally used for logistics.
Two dimensional barcode that can be decoded and read using a web-enabled
mobile device with a camera.

4. What Can QR
Codes Do?
A phone equipped with a camera and QR
Code reader can
• Add Contact details to your phone
• Initiate a call from your cell
• Offer to send a Text SMS to someone
(including the phone user)
• Present some textual information on
your cell
• If you have web access, the QR code
can Link to a URL

5. Sharing food recipes
Links to special offers
Cereal boxes
They are everywhere these
days!!
Business cards
Property listings
Advertisements

6. Hands up!
Who has a cell phone with a camera?
Who can read this QR Code with their cell?
Has anyone read a QR Code on their phone?
Has anyone created a QR Code for their library?

7. Opportunity? Younger students and
readers use their cell phones a lot
Cell Phone Applications: Summary of Use Frequently/Occasionally
2nd Edition Millennials Xers Boomers Matures
% % % % %
Digital camera (still pictures) 63 80 75 49 32
Text messaging 61 86 75 44 15
Games 44 65 55 28 11
Video camera 41 56 52 29 12
Internet access 35 45 46 25 11
Email 32 42 40 24 12
Music Download 29 48 36 15 3
MP3 player 27 45 33 12 4
Download additional games from online 24 37 32 14 3
Watch professionally created content (TV,
19 26 26 12 5
movies, news)
Watch user-generated videos (like YouTube) 18 28 21 12 2
GPS (global positioning service) 12 16 18 8 3

8. Introducing QR codes in Libraries
Three (or a two) step process
1
Introduce QR codes
2
Educate on how to use them
3
Create and use

9. Introduce & Educate
1. Information on the library website about QR
codes
2. How to use them- scan to get more information
3. How can they help- saves time of the patron &
library staff,
4. What can they do- more information on library
items, books on stacks, connect collections to
services & vice versa… etc.
5. Promote them- website, newsletter, posters,
blog
At St. Ambrose University Library we are brainstorming on using
QR codes in a fun, useful and interesting ways. Some examples
at the end.

10. Create & use QR codes
Create
1. Many free QR code creators online (some allow to convert short
text too)
- http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
- http://www.qrstuff.com/ …and many more
2. Url shortners & QR code creators
- http://bit.ly/ (add .qr to the shortened url to get the code)
- http://goo.gl/ (also generates a url with a code)
3. To customize, you can add design, logo to QR code. Do not block
the three squares or else the code will not scan.
You need
1.Smartphone, iPad etc.
2.Download Apps to read QR codes
3.Steady hand while clicking the QR code

11. QR @St. Ambrose University Library
Create & embed a QR
code url in a tweet
Connecting collections
(inserting QR codes within a
book/DVD to connect with the
movie- e.g. Help-book = Help
movie CD)
Yes, you can
create QR codes
in any color!!
library staff directory
(http://library.sau.edu/depts/STAFF.HTM)

12. Brooklyn Public Library
Arlington Branch Details
• All 60 Branches of Brooklyn Public
Library available as QR code for
embedding into promotional materials
and flyers
Brighton Beach Branch Details •Spreading the word about their
libraries and making it easy to get in
contact
http://natehill.wordpress.com/2008/07/
27/the-physical-internet-10-at-not-your-
library/

13. QR @St. Ambrose University Library
Edible Banned Book Contest 2011
Link to contest website on table tents and
poster to promote the event.
New Titles at the SAU Library
(monthly)
QR code generated for the monthly listings.
Web link to the monthly blog entry is also
included.

14. http://bit.ly/qPxQ7X Contra
Costa County Library and Bus

15. Future uses…
Wrist ID bands to scan QR for,
-giveaways,
“Human hyperlink” = -scavenger hunt clues,
-purchase bands for a cause and lead them to a
website for more etc.
Image via New York Times
Promote mobile library
Image from Scoopit.it via Google Images
Stencils
- announce events, website and catalog
- Directions to
Library on campus,
- Scavenger hunt
clues
Image via brandchannel.com
QR on
library
book
marks. Link
to more library
help. Showcase
databases QR code on
periodically rooftops…
& link to more literally.
Aim to be ‘seen’ on Art work displayed in our
features of the
database to a QR
Google Earth/Maps. library.
A huge marketing Enhance the experience by providing the artist, art
code. component for all information in the form of a QR code.
libraries.

16. Questions,
Any thoughts you would like to share…
Malavika Shrikhande
St. Ambrose University Library
E-mail:
ShrikhandeMalavikaD@sau.edu
Phone:
563-333-6468
Twitter:
Thanks to you all and a very big Thank you to Louise!!
@SAULib
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/malavikashrikhande

17. Louise’s Contact Info – Thank You!