QR code: a short pathfinder for #605thurs

LibSuccess Wiki's "QR Code" page: http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=QR_Codes

I always think I am a fan of new technologies (I am becoming less so, btw), so after hearing about the fact that QR codes were being used by some libraries in 2010, the "QR Code" entry in LibSuccess Wiki was the first place where I got a lot of information about how QR codes are actually used in libraries.

Meredith Farkas. (2011, October 28). QR Codes Rock the Library on Your Phone. Sports. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/librarianmer/qr-codes-rock-the-library-on-your-phone

Meredith is also the creator of the aforementioned LibSuccess Wiki. (Her blog is really awesome, BTW.) This presentation offers how libraries are using QR codes in a systematical way.

Michael J. Whitchurch. (2011). QR Codes and Library Engagement. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www.asis.org/Bulletin/Oct-11/OctNov11_Whitchurch.html

Power to the Patron Q&A: BYU’s Michael Whitchurch on Mobile Trends in Libraries - The Digital Shift. (2011, November 10).The Digital Shift. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2011/11/mobile/power-to-the-patron-qa-byus-michael-whitchurch-on-mobile-trends-in-libraries/

Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library did a great job to implement QR codes in the library and share their experiences of these projects.

They used QR codes to conduct a library audio tour and to reserve learning rooms. The results indicated that the second function was used much more than the first. Visibility as well as user needs are the major reasons of the differences. 

Because when the library conducted the QR codes projects, the penetration of cellphones on the campus was only 14%, it's inevitable that QR codes could not be very popular (maybe it is still the case today). What impressed me was that the library learnt a lot from the "failure", for example, using a LibGuides page to offer QR codes instructions (this page cannot be found anymore), making QR codes more beautiful to attract students and other suggestions are mentioned in the resources. Also, it is important to think how to use technologies to add value to the library members as well as tracking the usage of these technologies. 

Failure itself is not bad at all. It's a true failure if we cannot learn anything from the past. Also, since using QR codes in the library is basically for free, the library won't lose a lot anyway.

There are also some practical guidelines for libraries to consider when they are using QR codes. David Fiander's blog post is a short but useful one. Using mobile friendly website, offering wifi in the spots where the library offers QR codes, using short URLs to make QR codes more user- and machine-readable are the most heavily discussed topics.

14 Million Americans Scanned QR or Bar Codes on their Mobile Phones in June 2011. (2011, August 12).comScore, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www.comscore.com/Insights/Press_Releases/2011/8/14_Million_Americans_Scanned_QR_or_Bar_Codes_on_their_Mobile_Phones_in_June_2011

Report: QR code use rising in unexpected ways | Articles | Home. (2012, August 17). Retrieved October 24, 2012, from http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/Report_QR_code_use_rising_in_unexpected_ways_12422.aspx

These are only two of the reports about usage of QR codes outside the library world. However, the decision made by the library about a specific technology is sometimes totally dependent on the bigger-world scenario. 

According to these reports, the usage of QR codes has been increasing since 2011. However, the increase of number sometimes doesn't mean too much. In the first report, .comScore reported that, in 2011, even after a huge increase, the total number of the people who scanned QR codes in their cellphones in June 2011 only represented 6.2% of all American mobile users. Is it worthy using a technology only used by such a small fraction of people? 

It's good to know that the number of people who know about or use QR codes is still increasing in 2012. But I am not sure whether the number can ever reach the critical mass or not. I don't want to predict the future -- librarians should be open to the future though. But I totally understand why some technologists don't think QR code has a bright future, for example, this "implementingqrcodesinlibraries.org" made by Aaron Schmidt is a perfect example. In principle, I don't think any technology requiring people to install an extra app can be very popular, not to mention that it can only be used on smart phones.

One more point is that, how many of you feel it embarrassing to stop and scan a QR codes on the street? I sometimes do.

Any ideas about using QR codes in libraries? Please share with me!