Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month, so in an attempt to "up" the passive programming in the library, we're using QR codes in our new display. Many thanks to librarian Erin Londregan-Berens who posted an image of her own library display that inspired this one.

Each image features a different person along with the QR code that students and staff can scan to learn more about that person. Want to know more about Katherine Jackson? The QR code links to her biography on NASA's website. How about Kehinde Wiley? The code links directly to his website where you can learn more about his art and life.

Stop by and feel free to scan the QR codes--and maybe while you're in the library you'll want to check out a book about a famous African American!

1-Thing Wednesday: QR Codes in the Library

One of the tools we like to use in the library is QR codes. They're such a handy, easy, and convenient way for students to access information! We primarily use them to promote books by linking the codes to book trailers, like in this display. Students have also been able to access trailers as they browse the shelves.

Students have also used QR codes to access trailers related to our state award nominees. Cards showing the book covers and a corresponding QR code were at tables throughout the library, and students watched the trailers, then responded on a handout as to their interest levels in reading the books later.

Stay tuned--students will likely use QR codes again in the coming school year!

QR Codes & the Iowa Teen Award Books

Each year language arts classes get a preview of the Iowa Teen Award nominees, and this year, students used iPads to learn about the 15 titles. Rather than sit and listen to a presentation about the books, students took control and moved about the library to scan QR codes linked to book trailers, presentations, and interviews related to the books.

The free QR code generating website Kaywa was simple to use and generated QR codes that could be screen-shotted and included on a document along with an image of the book cover and a permalink to  the code itself.

With each code/image/permalink was placed on a piece of card stock, and students were then able to move about the library to different tables to scan for information about the books. As they moved about, they were asked to make a few notes for themselves to track which books they found interesting.

At the end of our class rotations, nearly every 6th and 7th grader will have passed through the library to participate in the activity and learn more about our Iowa Teen Award books for the year!

QR Codes in the Library, Take 2!

Last spring I posted an entry about QR codes in the library, but madamewells' photostream image of her QR codes library display inspired me to do it again!

Like the display says, QR codes are barcodes that you can scan using a free app--I use QR Reader from the App Store, but there are others to pick from. Using the app, line up the frame in your display screen to the QR code, and in this case, you will be taken to a book trailer for the book. If you scan The Maze Runner QR code, you can see this trailer:

You're welcome to check out the many QR codes for book trailers that are posted around the library! Bring in your smart phone, iPod, or tablet and watch some great, creative book trailers!

QR Codes in the Library

Now in the library are cards featuring the QR codes to book trailers. Using a smart phone or iPod with online access, students can scan the QR code, which will take them to an online book trailer created by librarians or students. Several different cards will rotate among the shelves, so continue to check back to see if one of your favorite books is featured!