Putting QR Codes to the Test Jason Coleman Undergraduate & Community Services Librarian Kansas State University Libraries Leo Lo Research & Development Librarian Kansas State University Libraries Danielle Theiss Head of Public Services Rockhurst University Libraries

A QR Code

The Decoded Message: (for the humanoids) Thank you for coming. You look beautiful today.

Skepticism "People will not adopt a technical solution that serves to replace a manual task, if that solution is less efficient than the manual task it replaces. How could we think that QR codes for marketing would work any better than CueCat? Did we not learn the first time?" by Sean X Cummings Link to comments on a library-related blog >

Mobile Technology

Location based information

Linking the physical & the digital worlds

Our studies Survey: To find out what our users think about QR codes and some of the possible usage.

Our studies (cont'd) Pilot Study: We placed QR Codes in different locations in the library and tracked the number of times they were scanned.

Our studies (cont'd) Focus Groups: Speed tests Preference of QR code signs Find a room using a QR code vs find a room using traditional library signage. Discussion

Why, Where, What, How Why should we use QR codes instead of any other tool? Where should the QR codes be placed? What information should the QR codes lead to? How should the QR codes be presented?

Why Use Them?

Smartphones are Becoming Ubiquitous

Why Use Them? QR Code Readers are Affordable and Easy to Use

Why Use Them? These people will be our patrons: _and_ipads_and_apps_oh.html theres-an-app-for-that-ar /

Why Use Them? Save Time 1. Scan the QR code 2. Visit this url: 3. Visit this url: Task 1 8 seconds (n = 13) Task seconds (n = 14) Task 3 24 seconds (n = 14)

Why Use Them? Hyperlink Reality source: source: code-tombstone/ code-tombstone/ Source: 14/qr-code-dress-webbys/ 14/qr-code-dress-webbys/

Where Should We Use Them?

Point of need Examples: o A librarian's contact info on the librarian's office door. o Study room reservation form on the study room door. o Maps at the entrance, or at the points where users might be lost.

The Room-finding Adventure Find a room using a QR code that leads to this map. Find the same room using physical signage in the library.

The Room-finding Adventure QR Code: avg. 193 secs (n=5) o A mistake on the map caused one person to go the wrong way. Take away that time, the average time was: secs (n=4) Library Signage: avg secs (n=3) Comments: Re: library signage: "Needs better signage at stairwells - bigger map with better information". A point of need. Re: QR Code: o "The map needs to be mobile friendly" o "Would prefer a pdf map that could be saved on the phone". o Needs to show the 'you are here' spot.

The Room-finding Adventure

Conclusions: There are several points of need for the library map - e.g. the entrance, and the stairwells. In addition to where the QR code is placed, it is equally important for the map to be mobile friendly, easy to read, and could be saved on the phone for future uses. In other words, what information is delivered is just as important as where the QR code is located.

What Should They Do?

Survey Question: Please rate each of the following ideas for how K-State Libraries could use QR Codes Scale: 1 (love it) 2 3 (neutral) 4 5 (hate it)

What Should They Do? On DVD cabinets - link to movie trailers

What Should They Do? On equipment (e.g., microform machines) - link to tutorials on how to use them

What Should They Do? In various library locations: link to self-guided library tour

What Should They Do? On self check-out machines - link to your library account

What Should They Do? On stacks/books/journals - link to related digital resources Andrew Walsh (2009) “QR codes, text a librarian and more...” [Presentation: Extreme makeover: Transforming the face of your Library Service conference in Leeds, U.K.] 26 Oct QR codes, text a librarian and more...

What Should They Do? Pilot Study (40 signs displayed from April 25, 2011 through May 15, 2011) r f 59 scans 24 scans 8 scans

What Should They Do? Focus Group Question: K-State Libraries is considering several possible uses of QR Codes. Please tell us what you think of each of the following ideas.

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes on book jackets to link to a list of related books 13 of 13 replied that they liked this idea.

What Should They Do? Placing a sign near our DVDs with QR codes linking to trailers of some of them: 14 responses: I would scan them avidly I might use them if I were looking for a particular DVD, but otherwise no I would prefer to have the QR code tell me where to find the DVD This is a good idea. It is like a shopping market idea. I might use them 9 said "yes, I would use them"

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes near equipment to link to an online video tutorial showing how to use the equipment 13 responses: o I would not scan them because I prefer text-based directions. Video tutorials are annoying o I would prefer text instructions o I could see myself using these o It is not necessary. It would be better to have written instructions on the sign. o It would be better to have the video show on the screen of the print station o 8 said they would like this

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes on signs throughout the building. The codes would call the help desk when scanned. The phone number would also be placed on the sign. 13 responses: o yes, I would opt for the convenience of a QR code o no, but a map would be helpful o 2 said a map would help and that they would dial the number but would not scan a QR code to call a number. o 9 said they would prefer to dial the number

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes on maps. Provide individual QR codes for different destinations. 5 responses: o I like having qr codes that give maps with arrows o This would help me navigate. Maps are easy to use. o I would use these on my phone o 2 said they like this idea

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes on signs asking for feedback. The QR code would link to a blog that accepts comments. 10 of 10 said they like this idea

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes on signs around campus to create a audio tour. 8 of 8 said they like this idea

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes on signs around the library to create a audio tour. 2 responses: o I like this but would prefer to also have the option of a tour guide. The self service tour could give a little information and the tour guide could give more details. I would like both to include interesting stories. o This is good, but it is important to have other options since not all people have smartphones and sometimes they do not work. source: 1/papers/qr_codes.pdfhttp:// 1/papers/qr_codes.pdf

What Should They Do? Placing QR codes on catalog results. When scanned the QR code will display the title, the call number, and the location. 2 responses: o Very helpful especially if there is also a map to the item o I like this

What Should They Do? Other Suggestions. o Have a sign with the call numbers and qr codes that show where they are on a map o find areas where people study (via qr codes linking to a map) o I would like to use QR codes to find what kinds of books the library has and to see whether they can be checked out. It would be helpful to have QR codes show what books are useful for a particular subject and to also have them recommend other books. I would like to see QR codes that help me find the books. o I would like to use them to find particular books.

What Should They Do? Conclusions Patrons are more likely to scan QR codes if: o They believe the target will help them accomplish something they want to do o They believe the target will yield secrets they cannot otherwise discover o They believe the target will be easy to digest

What Should They Do? /05/chrissy1.jpg

How Should They be Presented?

How Should They Be Presented? Focus Group Question: Imagine that you see the following four signs on the end of a shelf. Which QR code would you be most likely to scan?

How Should They Be Presented? Results: 16 respondents: 8 chose the instructions 4 chose the long url 3 chose the short url 1 chose the plain sign

How Should They Be Presented? Focus Group Question: Imagine that you see the following five signs on the end of a shelf. Which QR code would you be most likely to scan?

How Should They Be Presented? Results: 16 respondents: 10 chose the middle size 3 chose the second largest size 3 chose the largest size

How Should They Be Presented? Focus Group Question: Imagine that you see the following three signs on the end of a shelf. Which QR code would you be most likely to scan?

How Should They Be Presented? Results: 9 respondents: 5 chose the normal purple code 3 chose the strange purple code 1 chose the black and white code

Tips for making QR Codes Don't get too fancy

Tips for making QR Codes Make them look official source:

Tips for making QR Codes Include Instructions source:

Tips for making QR Codes Use short urls to generate the code source:

Presentation Handout