QR Codes discussed in JAL

Geoffrey Little's Managing Technology article in the May 2011 issue of The Journal of Academic Librarianship discusses QR codes, among other ways in which libraries are supporting or making use of mobile technology:

"Florida State's law library is using QR codes in the stacks to help users locate the electronic version of a printed resource and as a way to make their librarians' contact information available to patrons at the swipe of a mobile phone.  The University of Gloucestershire Library in the United Kingdom has added QR codes configured with the automated circulation telephone number in all of their books, making the renewal process infinitely easier" (Little 268).

Email a librarian

The information about Florida State comes from an article by Darla Jackson in Law Library Journal, "Standard Bar Codes Beware - Users May Prefer QR Codes." Jackson learned about the Florida State initiatives at Computers in Library 2011, where Jon Lutz and Margaret Clark presented their work with QR codes in the law library. The PowerPoint from the presentation is available at http://www.infotoday.com/CIL2011/Presentations.asp, scroll to session C303. 

 

Electronic access to these legal reference materials

 

 

Little also mentions Alexander Street Press's announcement last year that "they are making all of their online music databases accessible via QR code."  (The vendor advertised this service at the 2010 ALA conference and I was terribly disappointed to scan the code with my Blackberry and then be told by the rep that it only works on Android and IPhone devices.)  The 2010 press release also indicated that mobile streaming access would become available for nine video collections later in the year.  I checked out Classical Music Library and American History in Video and both provide a QR code as a method for sending streaming content to your mobile device.  Through my library, I had to preview the new interface for Classical Music Library before I found the option to send a track to my cell phone.  In both databases, when a list of results is generated, a small cell phone icon indicates the content can be sent to your mobile device.  Clicking the icon offers three options: sending the content as an SMS text or via email; a short url that can be directly typed into the mobile device browser; or a QR code that can be scanned. 
 

 

The QR code scanned successfully on my Blackberry using a ScanLife reader; however, the send-to-mobile dialog box includes the disclaimer, "Streaming service is currently available for Apple iPhone/iPad or Android mobile devices on a 3G network or better."  The QR code resolves to the same full webpage you see in the database, not a mobile version.  Indeed, I was able to access the webpage housing the video and audio, but was not able to stream the content. 

QR Codes and Mobile LibGuides

I am one of those sad, unfortunate librarians who does not yet subscribe to the wondrous world of LibGuides.  And yet, I try to stay current on the many amazing things they are capable of, including their ability to be accessed mobile-ly (as in, with a mobile device - still uncertain what the adverbial form of that should be...).

During one of the ACRL Unconference sessions, Jodi Shepherd presented her library's use of QR codes and a mobile LibGuide to help students navigate their stacks.  Discovering that students were frequently lost in the stacks of their multi-floor library, they created a LibGuide explaining how to read a call number and find the book on the shelf.  Although any LibGuide will be automatically converted to a mobile-friendly version when accessed from a mobile device, they decided to create a new one specifically for mobile use because formatting was lost from the original LibGuide when viewed on a mobile device.  A QR code directing to that specific LibGuide was then created and displayed at strategic places throughout the library stacks.  Students are able to scan the code and immediately call up the LibGuide for a quick tutorial.  This is a great example of using mobile technology to assist students at their point-of-need.  Rather than trying to track down a librarian to help them, the student can try to help himself using the technology in his pocket.  Great idea!


Although not necessarily QR-related, mobile LibGuides are another excellent way to put information at our students' fingertips.  A Twitter search for LibGuides produced a very recent tweet from Queensborough Community College that their LibGuides are now mobile.  Using my Blackberry web browser, I visited their site, http://www.qcc.libguides.com and indeed, their mobile-friendly LibGuides came right up!  The homepage offers the choice to view Popular or Recent guides, as well as find them by subject or librarian.  I received an error message that the media files in the Education LibGuide would not play, so I'm not sure what happened there, but much of the rest of the content was clearly readable. A PDF handbook of APA citation loaded quite nicely.  It's a very simple step to go from here to QR code access by simply using a QR code generator to make a code from the above URL.  Look, I'll do it right now... (starting at 2:49PM...)


It is now 2:51PM.  It took me 3 minutes to Google "QR Code Generator", select the Kaywa generator website, copy and paste the URL, copy the HTML for the code, and paste the code above into this blog post.  I scanned it with the ScanLife reader on my Blackberry, and it worked perfectly to access the Queensborough CC mobile LibGuide site.

Seriously, do you see how easy this is???

QR Codes Will Tip, But Not Because of Libraries

In her ACRL Cyber Zed Shed Presentation, "QR Codes: Looking for the Tipping Point," Rosalind Tedford of Wake Forest University discussed how and why QR codes will eventually "tip" or become more mainstream among American users.  The QR code to the left was on her first slide to disseminate her contact information.

After introducing what kind of information QR codes could contain and showing examples of "QR Codes in the Wild," Tedford shared examples of how some libraries are currently using QR Codes.

These examples include codes that link to chat or text message reference services; a code in a catalog record to send the book's information to one's phone; a code that allows a user to "like" the library's Facebook page; and a code on a book shelf that links to the relevant subject guide for that call number area.

The focus of Tedford's presentation was what will bring about the tipping point for QR codes. In other words, what needs to happen for QR codes to evolve from interesting niche techno-geek tool into something that the average person knows how to use and is willing to use.  And Tedford shared that as much as she loves libraries, she's pretty confident that it will not be libraries that bring about this tipping point.

Rather, several things beyond our control need to happen for QR codes to become a mainstream, regularly utilized technology.  For one, we'll need to see "smart phone saturation" throughout American society.  When smart phones are the giveaway phone, or are widely available as pay-as-you-go phones, we will start to see more users with smart phones.  In addition, something will have to motivate those smart phone users to learn how QR codes work.  According to a recent CNN survey, only 32% of smart phone owners have ever scanned a QR code.  So not only must they have the technology in their hands, they must be given a strong, compelling reason to figure out what to do with one when they see it.

Tedford suggested some of the more compelling reasons people will be inclined to figure out QR codes.  Notably, they'll be used to give us something for free!  Marketers have begun using QR codes for contests and similar giveaways; as this trend continues, more people will be willing to download a reader and scan that code for the free stuff.  Similarly, purchases will come with QR codes that entice us to learn more about the product.  The next time you pick up a bottle of wine or a 6-pack, be sure to check the packaging for a code, as this seems to be a popular vehicle for the technology.  Finally, some QR code campaigns will spur such curiosity that viewers will be enticed to scan the code.  This is happening in major cities where retailers and others are posting enormous QR codes on billboards or the sides of buildings, just begging to be scanned by any passerby, like Calvin Klein did in Manhattan.

The bottom line is that there will (very likely) come a point where more and more of our users have smart phones and are familiar with QR codes.  Although our uses of QR codes in libraries will probably not be the motivation for a newbie to learn about the technology, when QR codes tip, our users will be likely to scan our codes if they've had some fun and memorable experiences with them in other venues.   

QR Codes for a Library Audio Tour

Michael Whitchurch, Information Commons Section Head at Brigham Young University, presented a contributed paper at ACRL, "Using QR Codes in the Library: The Library Audio Tour." At Brigham Young, an existing audio tour for students in First Year Writing was adapted to be followed using QR codes.

During beta testing, 21 stops were created throughout the library, each with a QR code linking to the audio portion of the tour for that area.  The number of stops on the QR code tour was increased from the original tour, allowing for shorter segments of audio that are specifically related to the area in which the student is standing.  Students are given a map of the library indicating the location of each QR stop, and can use their smart phone or iPod touch (with a QR code reader downloaded or pre-installed) to complete the tour.  For this contributed paper, Michael shared the results of their alpha and beta testing of the tour, with plans for improving the tour based on student feedback.

The library tour can be completed in three ways: a virtual tour; an audio tour using an MP3 player checked out from the Media Center; or using a smart phone or iPod touch and scanning the QR codes.  After testing the QR code tour with students in the First Year Writing class, the following feedback was collected:

• Some students preferred the convenience of using their own mobile devices to take the tour, rather than having to check out an MP3 player from the Media Center.  The QR code tour allowed them to complete the tour on their own time and at their own pace, or save sections to their phone to listen to later.
• Students who took the tour in a group commented that the QR code tour was not ideal for a group tour, but would be more effective if completed independently.
• A few students commented that the map of the codes was difficult to follow.  Students liked the fact that the QR code tour did not need to include directional information ("Now, turn left," etc) as the MP3 tour did.  
• Some students indicated they liked the QR code tour because they "don't look like freshman" walking around with the ubiquitous Media Center MP3 player, headphones, and map.  (However, the QR code still supposedly requires the use of a map, which leads me to believe that some students didn't use the map and simply looked around the library for the codes.  Also, it is unclear whether or not the students using their smart phones for the tour also used headphones, or simply allowed the audio to play through the speaker.)

Although initial statistics show that the BYU audio tour QR codes are not being used as much as hoped, this seems to be an effective way to utilize the technology.  Whitchurch states, "Though using QR codes for the audio tour has not yet been as successful as hoped, maintaining the codes costs very little, so they will remain as another option for completing the library tour" (367).

Some considerations for using QR codes for a library tour:

Do you want audio to be projecting from students' mobile devices as they take the tour?  If the tour stops are in bustling parts of the library (and you don't mind hearing your recorded voice wafting through the area), audio may be fine. However, how often do you carry headphones or earbuds around with your phone?  Don't assume students will have or want to use headphones for a tour like this.  If you are trying to maintain quiet in the area of the tour stops, consider having the QR code resolve to text or a silent video instead of audio.

BYU chose to provide a map of the QR code locations.  This involves the assumption that students will stop to pick up the map, or print it from their course management software, or somehow get their hands on a copy, and that they will use it.  It seems that basic directional information at the end of each segment, indicating where to go next, might ensure students find all of the codes. Alternatively, the sign advertising the code for one area could also include information about where to find the next code. As a final thought, perhaps mini-maps indicating where to go next can display visually on the phone's screen when the audio for that area has concluded.  I have no idea how this can be accomplished technically, but it seems like a good idea!

Similar to the idea of the library tour, I think QR codes can be valuable to provide point-of-need information about a specific service location in the library.  Perhaps this may be too redundant if traditional signs already exist describing how to use a service, but I'm thinking that as our users become more visual and mobile, providing instructions in audio and video format that can be accessed quickly through a phone becomes a more viable idea.

Has anyone else tried using QR codes for a library tour - virtual, audio, or other?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miami University Libraries: Jumping right in with QR codes

The next few posts will discuss uses of QR codes that were presented by libraries at the recent ACRL conference in Philadelphia.  Although the presenters were all from academic libraries, many of the ways they are currently using QR codes are applicable to any type of library.

In a panel session titled "The Library's Swiss-Army Knife: Using Smart Phones For Information Discovery, Content Delivery, and Inventory Management," librarians from Miami University Libraries (Ohio) presented a number of ways they are currently using QR codes in their library and collections.

The Miami University Libraries website features a link to information about their QR codes prominently on the homepage. The gray bar on the right side of the homepage links to a dedicated page discussing what QR codes are and how the library is using them.


Currently, the Miami University Libraries are using QR codes in the following ways:

 Contact a librarian

This sign advertises a QR code to contact a librarian.  The code actually resolves to the library's mobile website (which is quite good!) http://www.lib.muohio.edu/m. This URL is also included below the code image (a best practice).  From here, users can select "Ask Us" and then have the option to text, chat, or call the reference desk, or view a list of librarians that includes phone numbers and email addresses.

The bottom section of the poster includes the URL to find a QR code reader for your phone.  The URL, http://www.lib.muohio.edu/m/qrreaders, is a mobile site with links to websites where popular QR code readers can be downloaded. 

Computer Software Lists    

This code links to a page that lists the software available on the computers it is posted near, including information about printing costs.  This is a great example of providing quick access to information that would otherwise be wordy and probably unread if displayed on a traditional sign.  As in the previous example, the URL for the page the code resolves to is included below the image, http://www.lib.muohio.edu/kammsoftlist.    

In catalog records to retrieve and store call numbers

Catalog records include QR codes that provide the title, location, and call number for that book.  (The image to the right is probably too small to be scanned, but try a search in their catalog at http://www.lib.muohio.edu/multifacet to see how it works.)  The "What's this" link below the code image links to their information page about QR codes.  The catalog records also include a "Send info to phone" option for users to text themselves the record information, for those without smartphones or readers.

In top circulating books, for more information

The top 400 most circulated books include QR codes that resolve to a mobile page with "Other books by this author," "Other books on this subject," "Related articles on this title's subject" from Ebsco, and "Reviews of this book" also from Ebsco.  A great integration of mobile services. 

(I could not get the code in this image to resolve using a ScanLife reader, but have no doubt they work given this library's dedication to effective QR codes.)

So how do they do it??
This library has a committee of three people who all generate the codes and one of them designs the posters.  It is clear that in addition to creating QR codes, staff at this library spend considerable time ensuring that content can easily be accessed using mobile devices.  As far as I can tell, mobile sites were specifically created for the content the above codes resolve to.  The committee is working on developing a tracking system for future projects, to gauge how often the codes are used, but informal feedback so far suggests that users like them.  While many libraries (like my own) have dabbled in using QR codes for a single purpose, this library has jumped right in with a range of uses that all seem to enhance the user experience with an added virtual component.  Their signs are crisp, simple, and eye-catching, which is essential to any marketing campaign.

Special thanks to Kobby Sekyere for sharing the images in this post and information about Miami University Libraries' QR initiatives.

Some Best Practices

I mentioned earlier that I am a proponent of using QR codes in libraries, with the stipulation that the use follows some of the basic tenets of good QR code implementation.  Much of what's been written about the use of QR Codes focuses on using the codes for promotional purposes, with emphasis on marketing to a consumer clientele.  I've mined through some of the "best practices" out there to compile a few things libraries should keep in mind when implementing QR codes. 

The landing page should be mobile-friendly

The QR code for this blog fails this requirement, because as far as I know, there is no mobile version of blogger.  However, I tried it out and the simple layout of the blog is fairly readable on my Blackberry, although it does take some time to load the pictures.  But I couldn't very well have a QR code blog without a QR code that directs to it! 

Still, an essential best practice is to make sure that the URL you direct your users to is mobile friendly.  Some websites will recognize when the URL is being accessed by a mobile device and will automatically refer that user to the mobile version.  Type http://www.amazon.com into your phone's browser and you will be directed to their mobile site - a cleaner, simpler version that includes only the essential functions.  Others may have different URL's for mobile websites.  Accessing my library's homepage URL (http://library.raritanval.edu) from your phone will try to load the full site (and probably not very successfully).  However, the URL http://m.library.raritanval.edu will direct you to our mobile version no matter where you try to access it (go ahead, try it; you'll see the mobile version on your desktop.) Thus, the QR code for our mobile page links to the mobile URL.  It would be pointless for us to create a QR code linking to our homepage if that page is not accessible from mobile devices.

Use a short URL

The shorter the URL, the less cluttered the code is and the easier it is to scan.  Use a URL shortener if necessary (like http://tinyurl.com or http://bit.ly).

Tell people how to use it...

Again, the code for my library's mobile site is not the best example, but I at least wanted to include a statement about what to do with it.  Some codes will include the URL where a specific reader can be downloaded, which is particularly important if your code can only be read by that reader (a Microsoft Tag, for example, can only be read by its own reader).  But don't go overboard with instructions or, like the rest of the signs in your library, no one will read them.

...but give them an alternative

One of the most common arguments against QR codes in libraries is that not all patrons have QR code readers or even a smartphone.  (If you are making this argument, you probably want to stop and decide if a reasonable number of your patrons are likely to own smartphones and would be willing to try out something new.)  It's a good idea to include the URL that the code directs to on the sign featuring the code.  Users who do not want to bother with a code reader can simply type the URL into their phone's browser, and the really curious who do not have smartphones can access the URL from a computer at a later time.  Of course, to encourage them to do so, you should...

Make the content interesting and valuable

A great QR code adds some sort of valuable virtual experience that the user can not get when they are standing in front of the code itself.  We printed our code on table tent signs displayed in a lounge area just outside of our entrance and on signs around campus, advertising our mobile website that is "available 24/7!"  Although these users are not in the library, they can quickly access library content by scanning the code. 

I had a very disappointing experience in Best Buy recently: the specs sign below a DVD player we were considering purchasing included a QR code, so I scanned it, only to find myself looking at the same exact text that was displayed on the sign where I scanned the code.  This code added no value to my experience.  So before creating and displaying a QR code, consider what added value the content is providing to your patrons in a mobile format.  Don't simply replicate what they already know or have in front of them.

Future posts will discuss specific "value-added" QR codes that libraries are employing, like codes in the stacks that demonstrate how to read LC call numbers.  (Just a little teaser to keep you coming back!)

Introduction

Image by Mathieu Plourde

I know what you're thinking: "Just what I need, another blog to keep up with." I get it, truly.

But I believe the explosion of QR codes in the United States, accompanied by a growing spark of usage in libraries, validates taking a closer look at these fun little bar codes, how our profession is using them, and whether or not we should be.

Full Disclosure: I fall completely on the side of "Yes, we should be using them." But like all other technology, QR codes (or any 2D bar codes) need to be employed effectively, enticingly, and where they are most likely to be utilized. This means that not every library should be using them, but we should all be thinking about whether or not they can work for us.

I will also admit that I am (incorrectly) using the term "QR codes" to refer to all 2D bar codes scanned by mobile devices. QR (Quick Response) codes are the most popular two-dimensional bar codes, although there are other brands and Microsoft Tag is quickly gaining a foothold in the market. For those of you who are new to 2D codes, you can learn more about them on Wikipedia,check out the 2d Code blog, or read Educause's "7 Things You Should Know About QR Codes". For simplicity, I will continue to use "QR codes" when generally referring to two-dimensional bar codes, and I will make it clear when I am referring to a specific code generator or reader that is not a QR code.

For examples of how libraries are using QR codes, Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki has a section devoted to QR Codes. However, I have not found any other websites devoted specifically to exploring the use of QR Codes by libraries; hence, this blog. If you know of additional resources, please add them in the comments.

The goal of this blog will be such exploration. I plan to keep the scope broad in terms of discussing uses in all types of libraries, although I admittedly am most familiar with academic libraries because that is my field. I welcome you to let me know of your QR code initiatives, experiments, successes and failures so that I may share them with the wider library community. I hope to encourage ongoing dialogue around the use and value of QR codes, as I have already seen some passionate arguments in favor of and against these little black-and-white squares on several library listservs.

I hope you'll participate with me in this journey as we watch (and maybe even help) QR codes become more widespread and useful in our mobile, information world.