QR Code can use as a connecting tool for cybercrime.

QR Code can use as a connecting tool for cybercrime.

Bar codes are using in the library since long back, and it was the brainchild of Woodland, which he developed in the year 1950. It becomes cleverer key for the businessman for the smooth functioning of their business.

But in the case of library automation, barcode trending was very high and with good progress with a positive impact on Library Management System (LMS).

Barcode to QR Code

In today's era, we are talking about the smart librarianship, so tools that we are using are brilliant in terms of their use and benefits. 

QR code is one of the tools which trending very much in the smart librarianship profile.

QR represents for Quick Response, and it is taken birth in 1994 by the Toyota Motors subsidiary Denso Wave to track vehicles and parts during the manufacturing process.

Why QR Code in Library 

As you know, there is a new trend going on in western countries, the concept called BYOD (Bring Your Device), and in India, it's picking up very well.

If students are coming with their device, it means they are coming with their weapon as LIS professionals, and we should be ready to tackle them.

So, it's a challenge for LIS professionals to tackle such situation we need to acquire some quality skills and smart tools to stay fit in the competitive world.

There is some minimum requirement to implement QR Code mechanism in the library they are, 

QR Code Generator – it is available on the www domain with most of the required features, and for further advance requirement, we need to burn the cash.

QR Code Scanner – It is inbuilt in the smartphone, which is freely available on all platforms may be an android or iPhone Operating System.

Internet Connectivity – nowadays it termed as a basic need of human being

Where we can deploy the QR Code

It can link from print to e-resources,

• E-Contents 
• Online Surveys
• Library Contests
• Library Stacks
• Journal @ Online Electronic Holdings
• Library Audio / Video tour for Orientations
• Library Blog, Websites
• Digital Library
• Library Maps
• Library Wi-Fi Network, etc.

QR Code Post-mortem

It is excellent when you implemented QR code, and even users also using the same with interest. Secondly, management is also happy as you had invented something without any investment. But for every coin, it had two sides, so we need to be careful in terms of whether the QR code which you had created may link in the wrong way.

QR Code connecting – Wrong Way

We must be alert as there are a lot of cases reported in the news domain regarding QR Code scams, the scams can be anything, or it may be one of the below-mentioned activity, they are 

• Direct to Phishing Page
• Download Malware
• Financial Loss
• Virus 
• Taboo content
• Wrong Information
• Mislead Information
• Malware

What precaution one needs to take to avoid such instance at their institute or organization, I will try to put some critical filters for avoiding such a situation they are

• Check & update all QR Code regularly
• In case of damage or mislead you should immediately replace and alert the library user
• Create awareness among the user about safety measures in terms of using QR Code
• Use a scanner app that checks the website the QR code is pointing to before taking you there.
• Ask the user to check first to see if the code is on a sticker. A quick finger check will tell you this. If it's a sticker, don't scan.

Enjoy Reading!!!!!!

In advance Happy News Year to one and All