QR Codes and Your Library

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Big things come in small packages?"  Well that's a QR code in a nutshell.  It's a 2D image jam packed with information for your user to access.  I basically equate it to a wormhole for your computer or digital device.  Once you've downloaded a QR scanner onto your mobile device the possibilities are endless for the type and range of information you will find when you scan a QR code.  All you do is use the QR scanner app to capture an image of QR code through your devices camera.  Once this is done the information (i.e. website) instantly pops up and you are reading, viewing, or listening to content directed specifically towards you.  I especially enjoy using them when it's time for myself and the teachers at our school to sign into our Seesaw accounts.  Instead of having to go through the hassle of signing in, you scan the QR code for your class and your logged in and directed to the class attached to that specific code.  This is especially handy if you have multiple classes like me!  

This week in my technology in libraries class we were asked to create a QR code for a designated purpose for a specific library-related activity.  Before I even really sat down and thought about this discussion I had thought of one activity that could be linked to a QR code in libraries.  Mainly I'm thinking of student book reviews.  What a neat way for student's to be able to use technology and create something they can use for later!  Plus they could take the QR home to parents or display it on their blog and family members could see what their doing in other areas of school, specifically the library.

In our library at Daniel K. Inouye E.S. we have Nene book discussions during lunch.  Nene books are a list of books that have been chosen by the students of Hawaii.  We have bi-weekly book discussions for each book that is on the list, usually a list can range from 15-20 books.  I think it would be a great idea to link up a QR code to our library's website in regards to our Nene discussions.  Another use for a QR would be to have one linked up to our library's makerspace page.  We could either link it up through our library's website and direct users specifically to the makerspace page or we could direct users to our Instagram page where we showcase much of our makerspace creations.  This could be especially useful when displaying information at conferences, either a lecture session or a poster session.  Attendees can scan the code and go right to our makerspace page and see all the fun and engaging items are students are creating.  I also think linking a QR up to a blog would be an effective tool to increase traffic towards one's blog.  This would be especially useful if your looking to get your name out a conference!

The possibilities of QR codes in education and specifically in libraries are endless and the sky is the limit!  Use your imagination and come up with creating and exciting ways to share information with your students and users of your library!  Scan my QR code below to see what we've done in my library's makerspace!