As part of our vision for a 21st Century Research Library, the Libraries are continually investigating and implementing emerging technologies to connect our users to information in innovative ways.  A recent example of this is the Libraries use of QR Codes to help streamline users’ information seeking habits and enhance access to library resources and reference services.

QR Codes, those squares of scrambled black and white shapes that you scan with a smartphone or a tablet, are typically used for advertising purposes, such as to reward the curious person with a discount coupon, a movie trailer, or details about a concert.

One of the primary ways that QR codes are being used in the Libraries is as a convenient link between our print and online research collections. While online access to books and articles can streamline research, our print collections are still growing and, in some subjects, users continue to spend time browsing books in the stacks. Librarians who oversee these oft-browsed sections wanted to find a way to make sure users are aware of relevant online resources to enhance their research.

For example, Jeffra Bussmann, Research Librarian for Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, wanted to communicate to patrons that some Mathematics books are being replaced by electronic books (ebooks) as updated editions are published, and that some new books are available only as ebooks.  So, she used markers to divide the print section into subtopics, and then she added to the markers QR codes that link to a list of ebooks for each section.   Users with mobile devices can now easily browse ebooks and print books without having to enter long URLs or navigate through multiple searches.

Each QR Code-enhanced section of the stacks is marked with posters displaying more codes that link to the UC Irvine Libraries’ online subject guide for that topic so that users can easily access additional information about the subject.  Other codes around the libraries link to service hours, options for reference assistance, etc.  A code displayed on reference desks links to our Ask a Librarian LIVE online chat service, where help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so users can get help even when our desks are closed.

QR Codes are just one way the Libraries are creating a 21st Century Research Library at UCI through the use of emerging technologies and innovation.  For further information, please contact Jeff Schneidewind at 949.824.7099 or jhschnei@uci.edu.