What are QR barcodes and why am I seeing them around the library?

QR (quick response) barcodes are barcodes that can store information such as urls, contact information, sms messages or just plain text. Almost all QR barcodes are small white squares with black geometric shapes inside the borders.

Example:



QR barcodes can be easily read by all smart phones and many feature phones. If you don’t have a scanner application for your phone here are some free scanner apps for popular phones: Android, iPhone, Blackberry.

The QR codes around the library link you directly to the subject guides that correspond to the section of the library in which you are looking. You may also notice QR codes inside the covers of some DVDs. Those codes link you to the renewal page for the item in case you want to renew the checked out video.