Take a look at this article by Jeff Korhan, Social Media Examiner: How QR Codes Can Grow Your Business
The article describes quick response barcodes, what they are, and how to use them. The article provides basic information on QR (quick response) codes and provides examples of QR Codes in action. Under the section “Practical Uses of QP Codes”, he includes an example from a library (Naperville PL in Illinois). According to Jeff, “the potential for QR Codes is limitless”.
One of our 24/7 Reference Cooperative members, Jaclyn McKewan, the Virtual Services & Training Librarian for the Ask Us 24/7 service (Western New York Library Resources Council), has made a video on youtube on how the Qwidget is used on mobile devices. She also shows how to make a QR code for your Qwidget URL, so mobile devices with cameras can capture the code. You can then post the code in various locations around the library (or even around town!) to offer immediate access to your service. Watch her video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZJFUVXcKIw
If you have examples of how your virtual reference service is using QR Codes, post a comment to this blog!
University of Nebraska-Kearney is using QR codes to promote the 24-7 Research Service on special business cards and table tents being posted around campus. The QR Code links to our Mobile "Contact" page, which includes an option for the Chat qwidget. In the first three weeks of use, the code has been scanned 38 times.
One tip: use a bit.ly or similar URL shortener for your QR encoded link, so you can easily track how many scans that link is getting, and differentiate from other desktop/mobile clickthroughs.
Posted by: Jon Ritterbush | February 28, 2011 at 05:43 PM