QR Codes

QR codes (short for Quick Response) are two-dimensional square barcodes that can be read by a dedicated QR barcode reader or any mobile device with a camera, such as a smartphone or tablet.

Information is encoded in these barcodes and with a QR code reader app installed on your phone or tablet, you just point your phone or tablet camera at the code to read its contents. This makes it very easy to access web pages on your mobile device without having to type in a long address. QR codes can hold much more information than a regular barcode.

As you browse through the records in the library catalogue, you will see some black and white squares with lots of squiggly lines like the one below. Instead of having to copy down the details about the title and location of any item you wish to find, you can scan these codes with the camera on your phone using a QR code reader and the web page displaying the record details will be displayed on your phone.

Find and download a QR code reader app to your mobile device and using the app, point your camera at the QR code. Hold your camera still until the scan is complete. Your mobile device may buzz when the scanning is complete. You may need to tap on the app to focus the camera.

There are several free QR code readers available. To find the right one for your mobile device, just search for "QR code reader" using your favourite search engine.