By Sri Ramprasad Majumdar(Information Scientist), Sri Smritimoy Ghosh(Professional Assistant) Sri Jishnu Mondal (Professional Assistant) Central Library Visva-Bharati

1. Application of QR Codes in Academic Libraries: With Special
Reference to Central Library, Visva-Bharati
By
Sri Ramprasad Majumdar
Information Scientist
Sri Smritimoy Ghosh
Professional Assistant
Sri Jishnu Mondal
Professional Assistant
Central Library
Visva-Bharati
18th National Convention on Knowledge, Library and Information
Networking – NACLIN 2015, Gulbarga University Library,
Gulbarga

2. Introduction
Library and information services have undergone
significant changes with the adoption of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT). It has got a further
dimension with the application of Mobile devices which
augments library and information services to a greater
extent. In order to meet the new demands of the users,
libraries are developing new models for providing access to
its resources and services. Application of QR code in
libraries is one such attempt. The present study has been
undertaken to describe in detail the meaning of QR code,
process of creating QR codes and its accessibility,
advantages and limitations. Finally this paper also
highlights the QR code based services being provided by
the Central Library, Visva- Bharati.

3. Genesis of QR Code
QR codes were first created back in 1994. A Toyota
subsidiary named Denso Wave developed the code in
order to help in the manufacturing process, they aided
in tracking vehicles and parts. It was designed to allow
for fast decoding speeds, hence the name Quick
Response code.

4. QR Codes: Structure
QR code is a type of barcode but it is two dimensional
(vertical and horizontal) code. A QR code encodes four
types of data – (i) numeric (ii) alphanumeric (iii)
binary/bytes and (iv) Kanji (Chinese characters used
in Japan) or mixture of these. Ability of holding
information is much more in a QR code than a normal
barcode.

5. QR Codes: Structure

6. QR Code and Barcode
QR Code Barcode
Contain data horizontal and
vertical direction.
Contain data horizontal direction
Recordable data size large Recordable data size small
Area size small Area size greater than QR code
Smartphone compatible Barcode scanner is needed.

7. Generation of QR Code and its
Access
Data can be encoded into a QR code by any QR code
generator. Many of which are available free online. Users
simply put the data to be encoded, and the generator
produces the code, which can be used electronically or in
printed format. Few examples of QR code generator
websites are :
 www.qr-code-generator.com/Free
 www.the-qrcode-generator.com
 www.goqr.me/
 https://qrcode.kaywa.com/
 http://qrdroid.com/generate/

8. Decodification Process
A Mobile Phone with a Camera
and QR Code Reading
Software and Internet Access
Position it Snap a
Picture
Instant
Decoding
Web
page/
Content

9. Basic Requirements
 A specific reader device or a Mobile Phone with
a camera and Internet Access
 Software to Decode (Freely available on the Web)

10. QR Codes: Advantages
 Recordable data size in QR codes is large;
 QR codes are smartphone compatible;
 Low cost and easy to implement;
 QR code has error correction capability upto 30%;
 Directly navigation to a website or phone number
without typing them;
 Small Printout Size;
 Readable from 360o

11. QR Codes: limitations
 Not everyone is aware of QR code;
 Not everyone owns a smartphone and many cell
phones do not include a QR code reader, the software
must be downloaded and tested;
 The small screens of a mobile or PDA limits the
amount and type of information that can be displayed
at a given time;
 Before scanning a code, users never really know where
the code is going to direct them.

12. QR Codes: Application
 Promotional landing pages and entry forms
 E-commerce shopping sites
 Product demos, videos and reviews
 Virtual business cards

13. Application of QR Codes in library
 Direct users to a service that’s specifically aimed at mobile
devices users, such as a chat or IM reference service, or the
mobile version of the library’s catalog or databases.
 QR code to the online Ask a Librarian site could be posted at the
physical reference desk and at all public access computer
workstations.
 Library virtual tours – QR codes can be placed in different areas
of the library so visitors can access information relevant to that
particular space. Audio tours can also be provided this way.
 Library Maps – Instead of just a map that has, Reference,
Reserve, Computer Lab on it, put QR codes for every area that
has a web page, so that the patron can go directly to that web
page for more information.

14. Application of QR Codes in library
 Link to Phone number on a web page so people
don’t have to dial the number on their phone.
 Link to a web page associated with an event by
placing a QR code for the web page on the event's
poster.
 Help Desk info could be posted on QR codes.
 Add QR codes to poster, flyers, and other library
instructional or promotional materials

15. Some points that librarians
should take into account
 Determining the place for attaching the codes in
virtual library tours and other library resources;
 Not all patrons might be are aware of them;
 Not all patrons might have the required devices and
software;
 Main information still need to be provided in a
conventional way;
 The efficient display of the information need to be
constantly checked;
 Accessibility to disable people.

16. QR code application in Central
Library Visva-Bharati
 QR Code in Library OPAC
•Download LSearch App from ‘Google Play Store’ and install it in your
mobile
•Scan QR Code from http://172.16.2.2:8380/opac/

17. QR code application in Central
Library Visva-Bharati
Besides the above Visva-Bharati library authority have
placed QR codes at different strategic points to provide
wide range of services such as
 IM reference service
 Text a Librarian
 Ask a Librarian
 link to a phone number

18. QR code application in Central
Library Visva-Bharati: Future plans
 To provide Library tours (Audio/Video) via QR
codes;
 To display QR codes in posters, flyers, and other
library instructional or promotional materials;
 To display QR codes at different strategic points to
provide ready-to-use guidelines at required
locations;
 To generate QR codes to provide library Maps/floor
plan so that the patrons can get more information;
 To post calendar event.

19. QR Codes in different places at
Central Library, Visva-Bharati
This code takes you to contact Reference
Librarian for Online reference service, Text
a Librarian, Ask a Librarian)
This code takes you to contact University

20. Conclusion
Despite the several benefits of QR codes, its effective use in
libraries is related to the familiarity of library
administrators, staff and end- users with the codes. The
library authority should take their own initiative for
mastering those competencies in order to stay relevant in
the present knowledge society. For this it is recommended
that library authorities should organize seminars,
workshops, user awareness and orientation programmes
for faculty, students and staffs at regular intervals to keep
them tuned with latest technologies. The present study,
though small yet it is significant and would create
awareness and impetus among the library professionals to
highlight the issue so that more and more libraries could
implement QR code- based services.

21. Thank You