Connecting our shelves with electronic content

1. Successfully Using QR Codes in Libraries Connecting our shelves with electronic content Cheryl Burnette, Webmaster Homewood Public Library HomewoodPublicLibrary.org cburnette@bham.lib.al.us 205.332.6631

2. Video: How to use QR codes www.cnet.com.au/how-to-use-qr-codes-339302140.htm

4. Because scanning requires less effort than typing a URL, QR codes are becoming mainstream

6. …mostly via newspapers, magazines and product packaging, both at home and in-store

7. Barcodes that offer a discount or coupon, or allow the consumer to learn more about a product or service are the most popularMashable, August 2011

8. Get a free QR code reader Download and install a QR code reader that is compatible with your phone. Many are free, so there’s no need to purchase one: RedLaser, BeeTagg, NeoReader, and others.

10. Watch a video

11. Send an SMS (text) message

12. Make a phone call

13. Embed contact info on a business card

14. Embed text (i.e. scavenger hunt)

15. Map an address

19. Two rules for creating QR codes 1. If URL, must lead to a mobile optimized site 2. Use a URL shortener when possible to reduce the volume of data converted http://bit.ly/oIKgRP http://www.pla.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/alexawards/alexawards.cfm

22. Links are editable! That’s dynamic!

24. Sign in with Twitter or Facebook

25. Shorten and share links

26. Click Info Page to find your QR code & stats

28. Bitly links are not editable

29. Only shortens URLs

31. email

33. SMS

37. B r a i n s t o r m

38. Use QR codes to improve library services: Embed URLs that quickly connect to: dynamic search in a catalog (i.e. “writing graphic novels”) mobile library website mobile catalog place inside books and on shelves to lead to book trailers, mobile friendly blogs and author sites mobile databases (i.e. EBSCO) virtual tour of the library instructional videos on YouTube library blogs that are mobile optimized (Blogger and Wordpress automatically convert their content into mobile versions) mobile versions of book suggestions or read-alikes

39. Use QR codes to improve library services: Embed other information: contact information (phone number and email) geo location/map of library SMS (text) for text reference services (Google Voice is a free textservice) Giveaways or coupons (embed text or graphic) create a scavenger hunt

41. The Daring Librarian www.thedaringlibrarian.com

43. http://www.flickr.com/photos/aculibrary/3011082552

44. Uh-oh! Does not point to a mobile site! http://www.flickr.com/photos/halfhollowhills/4504965499

45. Warning! Does not point to a mobile site! http://www.flickr.com/photos/aculibrary/3011082552

48. How to turn a regular book into an interactive book with QR Codes www.technologybitsbytesnibbles.info/archives/5066 place code inside book code points here http://youtu.be/OwZH_aT0FGI

49. Other uses: scanning UPC codes

50. Other uses: scanning ISBN numbers

51. Other uses: eBay app – scan UPCs

52. ADVERTISE! ADVERTISE! ADVERTISE!