“Libraries kept Americans connected in ways that brought our communities closer. Buildings may not have been open, but libraries were never closed.”
These were the words of Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., president of the American Library Association on the 2020 special report on the state of libraries in the US amid COVID-19.
Libraries have long since adapted to digitalization to reach readers of all ages. They now use a free best QR code generator with logo to help improve their online library services.
QR codes can optimize digital services and streamline daily transactions. This brings a lot of convenience to librarians and its avid visitors.
Here are several ways that librarians can use QR codes to their services.
Instant WiFi access
Libraries now offer free WiFi access to their patrons to access online resources such as videos and research journals. This is why they can definitely use a WiFi QR code.
When a library goer scans this QR code, it can directly connect them to a WiFi network without the need to enter its password.
No need to shush anyone repeatedly asking for the WiFi details. All you need to do is post the WiFi QR code where visitors can easily see and scan it, and now you have one big thing off the librarian’s workload.
Offline to online reading experience
Some books tend to have parts with outdated information that’s no longer applicable today, and that’s why authors or publishers make revisions to these online.
In this case, librarians can easily create URL QR codes that will route readers to these online updates. These codes can also serve as gateways to additional sources relevant to printed books.
Inventory management of printed books
It’s quite tedious to manually enter books into an inventory system. It takes a lot of time, brain space, and effort. Because of this, libraries now opt for a QR code-powered inventory system.
Custodians can use a bulk QR code generator to create multiple unique QR codes for each book in one go. Each QR code contains a specific serial number corresponding to one physical book.
Once the QR code is scanned, its serial number is recorded in your database. This is truly a quick and easy alternative to a manual inventory.
Introduction of eBooks
Libraries now offer eBooks as another options to its readers. These days, readers are divided between electronic and physical book readers.
For those who prefer reading on their device, they can easily keep these eBooks on their smartphone, tablet, or Kindle.
While eBooks are readily available online, librarians can offer exclusive eBooks to their customers. This is where a PDF QR code comes in handy. With one scan, readers can get access to these eBooks.
Access to exclusive online library
Some libraries now provide an online archive of eBooks and other digital materials that is available exclusively to certain patrons.
Libraries can create a dynamic URL QR code for their online library and add a password to limit its access. Customers can pay a small price to have access to this collection of e-sources.
Librarians can then give the password to these paying customers so they can access the online library.
They can then change the password after a couple of days.
Videos
Did you know that viewing is now considered a macro skill together with listening, speaking, reading, and writing? Some people find it easier to learn something by watching a video instead of reading.
Libraries can offer videos as resources to their readers by using a video QR code. They can also use a YouTube QR Code videos already uploaded on YouTube.
Audiobooks
If you don’t know what an audiobook is, you might be living under a rock. Audiobooks are ideal for people who prefer listening to a dictation of a book so they can multitask. It’s not for everyone, but its growing popularity makes it a great option for book lovers who are always on the go.
This is breakthrough allows people to “read” a book by listening to it. Library custodians can set up an mp3 QR code that will lead readers to an audiobook, if they so prefer.
Attendance system
Library administrators can set up a QR code attendance system for their staff to make it easier to track their attendance.
They will only have to show their assigned QR codes to a person designated to scan the codes upon entering the premises.
This system can also work for library-goers, and librarians can monitor how often a patron visits the library. They can then give freebies to customers who reach a certain amount of visiting time.
Book borrow forms
Most libraries let their patrons borrow books to read them outside the library premises and bring them to school or home.
They can create a QR code that will route customers to an online book borrow form that they can fill out with their smartphones. Users can leave their emails so that libraries can notify them about their requests’ status.
QR code technology is the most suitable tool for adapting to new demands in places like the library. Libraries can surely use them to upgrade their services and customer transactions to attract new visitors.
This only proves that when QR codes are used creatively, they can streamline any industry and help it keep up with today’s ever-changing trends.
Try visiting your local library to see if they’re already using QR codes. If they don’t, you can suggest the best use cases above to their management. Let us know how it goes!