- A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is basically a barcode in a square shape. It is scanned by a smartphone or tablet and could direct someone to a website, an image, a text message or, even, a phone number. (That’s totally up to the QR code’s creator). For marketers, a QR code allows you to get smartphone users to call you without forcing them to actually type in a phone number or URL.
Where might you see them?
You can see QR Codes anywhere where an organisation, company or person wants to market a product, provide more information, or connect with other people. Possible locations for QR codes include marketing posters, billboards, static displays, items of mail, business cards, product packaging, labels, information signs for tourists, theatre tickets, stickers, and worksheets etc.
See how QR codes were used in the 2012 Olympics!
(I’m sure there are more places where QR codes are seen… where else have you seen a QR code?)
What could you use the codes for?
- Deliver library instruction and help
- Promote your blog
- Link to databases/websites/e-books or library catalogues
- Link to podcasts or how to demo videos
- Treasure hunts
- Promote a new service or changes to an existing service
- Link to feedback questionnaires
How can you make one?
You don’t need a smart phone to create a QR code…..
QR codes are REALLY easy to create. You just have to copy and paste the web address of whatever you want the QR code to link to into one of the hundreds code creators on the Internet
Kaywa is another popular option http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ (Generate a static code and you won’t need to register)
Do you have a favourite?
Create a QR code for a library webpage or e-resource you think will be useful to your readers
QR codes are particularly useful if the web page you want to link to has a long URL.
Create a QR code for a library webpage or e-resource you think will be useful to your readers
QR codes are particularly useful if the web page you want to link to has a long URL.
If you can’t think of a web page you want to link to try creating a QR code for https://www.evidence.nhs.uk/about-evidence-services/journals-and-databases
When you have generated your QR code right click on the image and either Copy the image into a word document or save the picture to your folder and add it to a document at a later date.
Something extra to consider: If linking to a website, blog or wiki we suggest you shorten the URL using bitly at: https://bitly.com/ or TinyURL at: http://tinyurl.com/ to make it easier to scan and better looking! Bitly will also keep statistics of the traffic and use of your code.
……BUT you do need a smartphone or tablet to read the QR codes!
Print out the QR code that you have copied to a word document. If you have a phone or mobile device with a camera and the ability to download a free QR reader app (e.g. QR Code Reader and Scanner for the iPhone or QR Droid for Android) you can then take a picture of a code and be taken directly to the web page the code links to.
If you don’t own a smart phone or tablet ask a colleague or a member of your family who owns a smartphone to download a QR reader app and read your QR code so you can see how the code links directly to the web page. QR codes are particularly useful if the web page you want to link to has a long URL.
If you don’t own a smart phone or tablet ask a colleague or a member of your family who owns a smartphone to download a QR reader app and read your QR code so you can see how the code links directly to the web page. QR codes are particularly useful if the web page you want to link to has a long URL.
If you don't have access to a smartphone there is still a way to read QR codes.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post http://www.wildflowersaromatherapy.com/blog/general/how-to-read-a-qr-code-without-an-i-phone
Describes how to read a QR code on your PC.
Beverley Hixon
qr code reader in windows 7 tablet in wpf
ReplyDelete