QR Codes in School Libraries

                QR (quick response) codes are a technology that is everywhere at the moment; they can be found at the grocery store, the book store, and even, as Lamb and Johnson propose, the library. QR codes allow users to scan a code on an Internet-connected mobile device and receive additional information through the web. The uses for them are nearly endless, and Lamb and Johnson (2012) propose several ways to incorporate them into the school library.

                In order to incorporate QR codes into the library, the authors suggest beginning by becoming familiar with using QR codes in general (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). The next step is to look around the library and determine the different ways students and teachers could benefit from QR codes, such as providing a QR code next to or on equipment that links to further instructions on how to use it (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). The next step is create a QR code and add it to a brochure or other library material (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). To ensure that all users, even ones without mobile devices, can use QR codes, Lamb and Johnson (2012) suggest including a short URL that users can type into a computer and access the same information. To help QR codes to reach as many users as possible, the next step is to partner with teachers and find ways to integrate QR codes into the curriculum (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). This can be as simple as teachers including QR codes in presentations for students to access with phones or iPods, or having students create content and QR codes to connect with project materials. 

               In addition to suggesting how to get started using QR codes, the authors suggest several ways to incorporate them into the library. One of the most obvious ways is to use QR codes to enhance marketing, such as including them on bookmarks and flyers; codes can connect users to the library website or a calendar of events to keep users up to date (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). Another suggestion is to use QR codes to provide readers with book blurbs or reviews to help them decide if they want to read a book, or, in the case of some electronic books, with the books themselves (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). QR codes can easily be incorporated into activities such as scavenger hunts and library tours, and students can even help create walking tours of different exhibits (such as an art exhibit) by adding QR codes to information relating to the various pieces (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). Each of these ideas provides for new ways to reach out to students and put information directly in their hands.

                While the authors acknowledge that QR codes have a great deal of potential for bringing content directly and quickly to users, they also acknowledge that QR codes are a technology that will eventually be surpassed by something even more new and exciting (Lamb and Johnson, 2012). However, that does not mean that school librarians should not take advantage of their popularity to better serve students and teachers alike.

                Reading about using technology in the library sparked different ideas as to how to use technology to improve instructional strategies. I think that, first and foremost, librarians need to stay up to date with the different technologies that are available, specifically the ones that are free to use. In order to utilize different technologies in meaningful and engaging instruction, we must first be aware of what is available and how it can be used for instruction. One way to do so is to look for lists of Web 2.0 tools, or other educational tools, and how they are being used in education to find different tools to explore.

                A second strategy for improving instructional strategies is to use online databases to keep up with new education research and instructional strategies. Teachers and librarians both can also use RSS feeds to keep updated when new content is added to online journals instead of needing to seek it out each time a new issue is published. This will help teachers to keep up to date and improve their instructional strategies by learning new ways to incorporate technology supported by research.  

References

Lamb, A. and Johnson, L. (2012). QR codes in the school library: a dozen practical uses. Teacher Librarian. 40(3). p. 63-67. Retrieved from: http://www.teacherlibrarian.com/