WHAT THE HECK IS A QR CODE?

And why should I care?

HISTORY

The QR Code has been around since 1994.

For those of you bad at math, that’s 17 years.

BUT WHAT IS IT?!

A QR Code is a barcode… kind of… sort of.

QR Codes Can Store a Variety of Data

This one is simply text.

This one is a URL.

This one is a phone number.

This one is a text message.

This one is my vCard.

WHERE HAVE I SEEN THOSE BEFORE?

Macy’s Best Buy Produce Cartons College Guides CSI Magazines

Cowboys Stadium

OK, SO HOW DO I MAKE MY OWN?

http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

http://goqr.me/

http://www.qurify.com

http://www.qrstuff.com/

And more!

However, I would advise that you use a service like http://bit.ly for simplicity.

With Kaywa

With bit.ly

BUT THOSE ALL LOOK THE SAME!

Don’t Worry. You can personalize like this:

Or use your image as the template by going to:

http://bit.ly/personalqr

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?! QR barcode scanning

grew an impressive 1200% from July to December, 2010.

QR scanning to receive information on a product or service is by far the most popular type of use.

Steady adoption is being seen amongst all age brackets between 18 and 54 years of age.

http://static.aws3.mobioid.com/files/pdf/The-Naked-Facts-2H2010.2.pdf

35% of all adults have a SmartPhone!

25% of SmartPhone owners say their phone is their primary internet device- not computer!

SmartPhone ownership rates are high amongst many demographic groups!

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Smartphones.aspx

FINE- BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LIBRARY? Lawrence University Seeley G.

Mudd Library: Created a QR code information page to help their patrons understand QR codes. They use QR codes to direct patrons to their virtual tour, to electronic music resources, to their mobile web site, to begin text messages to the interlibrary loan office, and more.

Sacramento Public Library offers a QR code to patrons that will load the library's text message reference service info into the patron's phone.

Contra Costa County Library is using QR codes to market downloadable audiobooks to people using public transit.

Southwest Iowa Library Service Area (SWILSA) has begun a "shared" list of readalikes for various popular authors. A sheet of codes, formatted for label stickers, is available to print and attach to shelves near those authors' books.

THAT’S NICE- BUT WHAT ABOUT MY LIBRARY?

Link all library displays to relevant holdings.

Place on all DVDs to link users to trailers on YouTube.

Use on bestselling books to provide a list of similar (lesser known) authors.

Link to library catalog to allow a patron to request a title IN THE STACKS!

Ads linking to upcoming bestsellers and new e-books at the mall!

But that’s not all…

TAKE THE LIBRARY TO THE PATRON!

QR Codes at the Zoo to link patrons to your penguin books.

QR Codes at art exhibits to link patrons to your books on impressionists.

QR Codes in the newspaper to show patrons videos of upcoming programs.

QUESTIONS?Don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through actually making one now!