Here, in the next few seconds, we are going to discuss more about QR codes and their uses in libraries for better services.
Curious to know?
You are supposed and must be.
QR Code……an abbreviation of ‘Quick Response Code’ was
first introduced in 1994 by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave in Japan in the automotive industry. Based on my study
through different resources, I understood ‘The QR Code’ as an advanced version of a barcode machine-readable optical label that contains information about any
item and uses four encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and
kanji) to efficiently store data. QR Code consists of black squares which are
arranged in squares and can be read by any QR image processing device or scanner
(2D).
How to Generate QR Code?
Generating a QR Code is very easy
in nature. There is free software available online as well as offline which
you download and install in the system.
Online QR code generator:
There are many online QR Code
generators but I find this one very useful for my purpose.
http://www.qr-code-generator.com/
You can generate the QR Code for URL,
vCard, Text, E-Mail, SMS, Facebook, PDF, MP3, App Stores, Images, etc. You
need to simply select one option and enter the information. See the example
mentioned below.
I entered my website detail and
created QR Code which generated the image at right. Now I can download the
image and use it wherever I want to use it for my purpose.
There are many free good QR Code
generators that can be downloaded but I found this one very best for my
purpose. https://sourceforge.net/projects/zint/files/zint/test/
This file can be downloaded and
QR Code can be generated in Windows OS.
The generated image can be saved
as a PNG file and used for different purposes.
How to read QR codes?
To read QR Code, you need any
device with a QR code reader or scanner which can collect the QR Code
information, convert it into a readable format and display the message.
The best method is to install the
freely available Android Application which can easily be downloaded and
installed on any Smart Phone.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tw.mobileapp.qrcode.banner&hl=en
Likewise, there are many other applications
that can help you to read the QR Code through your smartphone.
How to use in Academic Libraries
and Education?
Any library can generate the QR
Code for the following and provide better services.
1. Website
containing all the services:
If you
are having a website and also a service division separately containing all the
details, then simply copy the link and generate the QR Code.
2. List of
e-resources:
Generate
the QR Code for a list of e-resources, if you have all listed on a single page OR
you can generate the QR Code separately also for different resources.
3. Contact Library Staff as vCard
To
provide a quick and ready reference, it is always advisable to generate the QR
Code of staff as vCard and list them all on a single page and make it available
to the users. If the user is willing to store your contact detail, he/she is
supposed only to scan the code and store the information in the smartphone. Later
he can use it for his/her purpose.
4. Posters/Pamphlets:
Some
libraries have their own Posters / Pamphlets in order to promote and market
their services. QR Code may be one of the easy methods in the promotion of these kinds of services by adding the QR Code on posters/pamphlets.
5. Workshop
Banners:
Libraries
keep conducting workshops for research scholars, faculty, and other
professionals. Sometimes, if users find it difficult to remember the dates and
venue with time, a QR code may be an easy tool to reach the scheduled workshop on
time and date.
6. Information
Literacy Pamphlets:
Being Information Managers and called library professionals, it is our responsibility
to introduce literacy programs for the users so that users can get easy
access to our library services and resources.
a.
Circulation Privileges QR Code
b.
Fine details QR Code
c.
OPAC QR Code
d.
New Arrivals List QR Code
e.
Login Page QR Code
f.
Announcements QR Code
g.
Download Page QR Code
h.
Google Map QR Code with location (How to reach?)
7. Wi-Fi
access details:
We can
provide the information through QR Code about Wi-Fi access in the library if
you have this provision. Users will get the details through QR code about how to
use and how to access and will also be able to store the information for future
use in the phone easily.
Apart
from all these, there are other possible areas, which can be introduced with
the help of QR Code effectively.
8. Create
your own QR Code for vCard:
The best
part I found of the QR Code is that it enables you to create a vCard with your personal details
which can easily be stored in Smart Phone by scanning through any 2d Image
Scanner. I tried to implement it with my vCard and it worked successfully. The
detail is mentioned below:
Please add, if you have any other service apart from the above-mentioned points.
Thanks,
DP
Tripathi