Library And Information Science Practices

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Presently, Smartphone provides far greater computing capability, internet connectivity, and ability to run advanced applications at a high speed than conventional cell phones. It is really a computer; PDA phone and camera all in one.Its applications are reached at every stage of society and marketing field also. Consequently, society’s life style is changing day by day due to useof applications of Information and Communications Technology (ICT ) & Mobile Technology (MT).Companies are advertised their product information with the help of print , electronic media and big size hoarding to aware the customers. Both the media are very important for popularized and marketing the product. Companies can be used the combination of both media simultaneously for marketing the products. This can be done by using QR Code (Quick Response).Two dimensional (2D) barcodes called QR (Quick Response barcodes), are part of a larger technology known as mobile tagging. Mobile Tagging is a process that allows users to access digital content on their mobile device via an encoded object (Pulliam and Landry,2011).Any cell phone will work as long as it has a camera and internet access. When patrons take a picture of 2D code, the software decodes the barcode and links to the information via the internet (Kroski, 2008).ICT & MT applications continue to expand the boundaries of higher education into an "anytime/anywhere" experience. Hence, the use of QR Code applications can also useful in the Library and Information Science (LISc ) practices to popularizing or marketing the LISc services and products to fulfilling the reader’s expectations.

Definition of Bar Code

IBM dictionary of computing defines bar code as "A code representing characters by set of parallel bars of varying thickness and separation that are read optically by transverse scanning." (IBM Dictionary of Computing. New York: McGraw- HiIl, 1994 . p. 53)

A barcode is series of bars and spaces arranged according to a set of rules that determines how data is to be represented. Different bars and spaces pattern are used to express different symbols. These symbols are readable only by a scanner. In fact, barcode technology is an important identification tool that provides an accurate and timely support of the data requirement for proper management system. They are interpreted virtually instantaneously and the potential for error from manual data input is eliminated by using a bar code reading system. The elements (bars and spaces) in a bar code symbol must be of a consistent, proportional thickness and thinness. The mapping between message, barcodes or predefined bar and space patterns is called a symbology. They are used to encode small strings of character data into printed symbol. Different symbologies of bar codes use different combinations of bars and spaces to represent different characters. Bar code symbologies like languages are given different names, like Code 39, UPC, Codabar, PDF417, Data Matrix. There are different symbologies developed in order to satisfy various applications requirements. Each symbology has strengths and weakness. Hence, bar codes have become widely popular because of their reading speed, accuracy, superior functionality characteristics, convenience universally recognized, capable of storing more information, more character types, and that could be printed in a smaller space.

What is One Dimensional Barcode?

One dimensional barcode that is the width of bars and spaces is to be considered in the linear symbols..

They encodes data along the width of the barcode, contains data in one direction only i.e. only the horizontal dimension.

They carry limited volume of information than two dimensional barcode codes.

Symbologies of barcodes are mostly linear.

They are usually read by a handheld scanner which ends a beam of light from one end of the barcode to other.

What is Two Dimensional Barcode?

Two dimensional barcodes differ from conventional barcodes partly in way they store data.

They make use of both the vertical and horizontal dimension; encode data along both the width and height. Therefore, storage of data that is present in a symbol is greater in two dimensional barcode compared to one dimensional barcode.

They are much better at detecting and correcting errors in damaged barcodes.

They can be used as long as it can be scanned or read by a smartphone and is used for marketing purposes.

They can store text, numbers, or URLs and can function as cell phone-readable physical hyperlinks. To use the code, a patron downloads free 2D reader software to cell phone (Rondean and wiechers,2005).

Table1:1D Barcodes and 2D Barcodes

(Source: Jun-Chou Chuang, et.al.-http://www.cscjournals.org/csc/manuscript/Journals/IJIP/volume4/Issue5/IJIP-263.pdf)

QR Code contains information in both the vertical and horizontal

Figure:1 shows the QR and Barcode

What is QR Code?

Background:The QR (Quick response) codes, a type of 2D barcode were developed in Japan by Denso-wave in1994to track automotive parts. Primary aim of a symbol is easily interpreted by scanner equipment. They are sometimes referred as 2d codes, 2d barcodes, mobile codes & also known as a matrix code and readable by smart phones and mobile phones with cameras. 2D codes that do not need a specialized scanner to read them. QR code is Open Source, so users can make a QR code easily with the free software. QR codes are a convenient way to add the virtual to the physical to provide useful content, often at the time of need and a low-threshold technology.. These 2-Dimension codes consist of a collection of small blocks, similar to dots, instead of the iconic bars and can be read on devices such as a mobile device (camera phone) or a laptop computer. QR Codes can contains different information viz. provide more text, link to website, transfer phone Number, send it an SMS to phone, link to RSS feed etc.

Features:

A QR Code is dynamic: if a code that prompts a mobile device to open a page on your library website. If the URL ever changes, you can revise the underlying data without having to alter the code’s image.

QR Codes are freely available

QR is an (International Organization for Standardization) ISO standards

QR is well designed with a higher capacity than other matrix codes & with error correction capabilities. Upto 30% of damaged or obscured data can be restored.

QR is enriching: QR codes ties the physical to digital.

Security

Unicode Language support

Storage capacity: QR code carries information or symbol in both the vertical (Height) and horizontal (width) direction; therefore they can hold much more information than a regular barcode such as all types of data numeric, alphanumeric, Kanji, Kana, Hiragana, Symbols, binary and control codes.

Database does not essential.

Specification:

QR code symbol sizes are Min. 21 x 21 cell, Max.177 x 177 cell(with 4 cells intervals and data capacity & conversion efficiency of numeric up to maximum7089 characters&3.3 Cells/Character, alphanumeric up to max.4296 characters&5.5.Cells/Character, Binary(8bits) up to max.2953 bytes&8 cells/character and Kanji, full width kana up to max.1817 characters&13 cells/character can be encoded in one symbol respectively.

It is capable of encoding the same amount of data in approximately one tenth the space of traditional barcode and 360 degree (Omni directional), high speed reading.

QR codes can store several hundred times the amount of information carried by ordinary barcodes and allowing much more data in smaller spaces. It accomplishes this task through position detection patterns located at the three corners of the symbol. It can be used with not only scanners connected with computers but also mobile phones.

QR also sports great size variability and error correction capabilities. Up to 30% of damaged or obscured data can be restored low-cost, easy to implement, and easy to use.QR Codes have four levels of error correction Capability, viz. Level L up to approx.7 %,Level M upto approx.15%,Level Q,approx.25% and Level H up to approx.30%.Higher the error correction level, less storage capacity (Susono and Shimomura,2006).

QR codes features are mobility, dynamic content, convenience, free of any license, International Organization for standardization (ISO),well designed, enriching (Pulliam and Landry,2011).

The QR Code structure:

QR code is matrix type symbol with cell structure arranged in square. It consist finder patterns, alignment patterns, timing patterns, and a quiet zone.

Finder pattern: detecting the position, the size, and the angle of the symbol can be detected in all directions (360).

Alignment pattern: detecting central coordinate of the alignment pattern and correcting nonlinear distortions.

Timing Pattern: QR code consist with black and white patterns arranged alternately and used for identifying ,correcting the central coordinate of the data cell when the symbol is distorted or there is an error for the cell pitch.

Quiet zone: a margin space consists necessary Four or more cells for reading the QR code. This quiet zone makes it easier to have the symbol detected from among the image read by the CCD sensor.

Data area: the QR code data will be stored (encoded) into binary numbers of 0 and 1 will be converted into black and white cells and then will be arranged. The data area will behave Reed-solomon codes incorporated for the stored data and the error correction functionality.

Figure 2- Basic structure of QR Code

(Source: Jun-Chou Chuang, et.al.

http://www.cscjournals.org/csc/manuscript/Journals/IJIP/volume4/Issue5/IJIP-263.pdf)

2.0. Need of the study:

It is essential to use and awareness of information sources, services and information communication technology in every walk of life. Consequently, following reasons, there is urgent need to carry out the present study to cope for the futures.

Firstly, to increase the amount of information stored by bar codes, such as increasing the number of bar code digits or layout multiple bar codes. However, these improvements also caused problems such as enlarging the bar code area, complicating reading operations, and increasing printing cost.

Secondly, main purpose of library is to maximize use of its resources.

Thirdly, presently, Smartphone and mobile research shows that exponential growth in mobile to continue. Mobile technology is rapidly evolving, becoming more popular, bridge the connection between print and web with the scan codes and easier to use than typing out URL’S on a smart phone. Mobile site creation by academic institutions, easy social network access, and the growing number of popular mobile apps,points to the likelihood that more students will option for convenient and useful data available to them, via. Handheld devices (Smartphones or cell phones).Many of our students are using handheld devices in their daily activities on campus and have recently seen an uptick in requests for assistance connecting iPhones to our wireless network.

Consequently, QR codes are a convenient way to add the virtual to the physical to provide useful content, often at the time of need and it’s storage capacity accommodates a variety of data beyond numbers including Text, Hyperlink, Telephone number (Phone call), SMS/MMS message, Email (Send message), Contact entry (vCard or meCard), Calendar entry (vCalendar) easier for users to view.

3.0. Objectives:

To Study the QR Code application for LISc practices;

To motivate the LISc professionals for use of QR code applications;

To increase the QR code awareness and usages of library resources;

To promote the QR Code for marketing and popularization of LISc services, events, products among users .

4.0. Review of Literature:

Prach and Kanji in the titled an application on 3G mobile phone and two dimension barcode in classroom communication support systemevaluation (which will be conducted in December, 2006 and May, 2007) focused on how users make use of the QR code in the current system, which contains class attendance, class evaluation and student collaborative functions.Okazaki, et.al.(2012) found three studies in Japan indicated that QR codes were largely used in print media for promoting loyalty programs, convenience, savings. Walsh, Andrew (2011) explained the use of technologies including GPS, QR codes and RFID tags to personalize the learning environments in academic libraries and reported on the use of QR codes at the University of Huddersfield, including information on how the QR codes have been received by users.

5.0. QR Code Tools

Three things are required in order to successfully decode a QR code:

a Smartphone, Desktop (with a camera),

a QR code Scanning application, and

InternetConnection (either through the phone’s data plan orover a site-generated wireless network).

5.1. How to generate QR Code and read(Decode) using computer?

Start internet connection

Open the www.google.com and type the qrcode generator and qr code decoder and click on go button

We will find many softwares

Free and easily operational QR Code software will be used. eg. ZXing QR code generator and Zxing Decoder online for read

Figure.3.www.google.com Search the QR Code generator

Figure. 4.Computer Generate QR Code using ZXing

Figure. 5. Computer Read (Decode) QR Code using ZXingdecoder online

5.2. How to generate QR Code and Read using SmartPhone?

1. Many of smartphones already have installed inbuilt QR code. Those Smartphones are not installed QR Code.They can follow following procedure

2. Start internet connection.

3. Open the Play Store(Google Play) link to www.google.com and type the QR Code generator and QR code decoder and click on go button.

4. We will find many softwares free and easily operational QR Code software will be used. eg. Qr code generator (YKART,Excelsior Studios) and ScanLife, NeoReader for read

Figure.6. Smartphone Read (Decode) QR Code using ScanLife software

Figure.7. Smartphone Read the QR code by Users

6.0. QR Codes Challenges:

Poor implementation of QR Codes

Need for education and promotion

Privacy issues

Overuse

Not everyone owns internet enable device

Lack of user awareness and education

Everyone does not have a smart phone or device

Some phones may be handicapped by their other features.

Limited or low budgets,competingpriorities, skills and perception, overburdened library technologies and /or insufficient skills on site

Lack of standards for mobile content (Hampton,et.al.,2011, Thomas,2012).

6.1. QR Codes Opportunities:

QR Code technology provides opportunities to increase the boundaries of anytime and anywhere learning for students to increase flexibility in time and location of study, in terms of availability of information and resources, synchronous and asynchronous communication and various types of interaction via. The World Wide Web.

QR code offer the opportunity for the expansion of existing library based services through the mobile technology.

Emerging technologies offer opportunities for creative integration with library services. Staff should be encouraged to explore, learn, and recommended how these technologies might fit into the library’s suite of services.

Administrators should determine and define the policies and standards by which these technologies may be actively employed only by participating in the mobile/social members of our libraries.

Establishing standards to support such endeavors require librarians to think strategically about how, when and where to apply resources for technological innovations. Moreover, a well-documented policy ensures a collective understanding of institutional goals and sets criteria for evaluation, improvement, and future innovations (Thomas, 2010)

6.2. QR Codes Initiatives in International and National Scenario:

The QR code was first designed for the automotive industry. Now QR codes are used everywhere starting from products to webpages, advertising, mobile money transactions and goods inventories. Storing URLs, these can be found on magazine, buses and business cards (Burkya,2012).QR code application are used in international university, college libraries and museums eg. University of Bath Library, United Kingdom, University of Huddersfield Library, Providence College Library, US, Museums and Cultural Institutions Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Australia,Cleveland Art Museum, Cleveland Ohio etc.

A Google trends report on search patterns for QR codes puts India at the eighth place in the world in India, Mid Day was one of the first publication in India to use QR codes to link video play and an option to answer a quiz. Ford, used QR code to promote Ford Figo. Users were asked to download an application that read QR code by sending a text message. They could then play a video of the Figo on their mobile device. Customer Centria have used QR codes in promotional campaigns of Godrej’s social networking site Gojiyo and Taj Hotel’s holidaypackages (Sahay& Mishra,2012). CyberMedia a specialty media company with magazines such as PCQuest, DQIndia, Voice & Data etc., started implementing plenty of QR codes in the print editions of PCQuest. These QR codes would point to different places such as videos, web pages, data capture and response form, a test site, advertisements, reader contests, discount for subscriptions, events and key announcements. These QR codes were put to use in the March 2011 edition(Lakhina,(2011).Presently many national and regional newspapers published the QR code to promote the real estate,malls,jwellary shops etc. Government of India takes initiative to published QR code on AadharCard. Some University published QR code in magazines or newspapers for advertised the Common Entrance Test(CET). Dimond Book Publisher, Pune taken initiatives to published the QR codes on books to know the authors, contents and link to the websiteand also Indian Journal of Public Health has used QR code to each articles to link to the website.

library Website,Audio Video tour Web OPAC,BookReview,E-Book,E-Journal,E-Database, Wiki,Blog,Social Networking Site, E-mail discussion forum ,Podcast, Online entrance Information Booklet and sources ,Online information resources.ASK a Librarian,FAQ etc.

List of Important information sources,Periodicals,New books arrivals,Rarer books collection,CD/DVD etc.

Circular, Notice, entrance examination result, Library Timing, collection, services , source and rules etc.

Reference quarries in the format of Text

Linking to geographical information

Teacher,Researcher,students,ResearchGuide,Resource Person,Publisher,

Librarian(ILLService) etc..

Important Websites, Wiki,Blog,Social Networking Site, Information centre,conference,Seminar,Workshop,Periodical TOC,Newspaper Contents alert,etc..

Fig. 8.Application of QR code technology in Library and information science

6.3. Role of LISc Professionals:

LISc professionals efforts will attempt to attract new users, expand the usage of current users, and highlight specific library products.

They should design a QR code campaign a plan to reach all user community.

They should take initiatives to offer the value added library services to users by using QR code viz. text messaging reference services and notifications, mobile library websites, quick linkage to website, free e-resources website, PPT, newsletter, forms and mobile friendly online catalogs led the way, research guides, digital collections, Linking to proprietary databases, virtual public services to meet immediate and emerging needs of mobile users (Thomas, 2010).

For that they should require effective planning, clear policies, procedures, regular training and communication.

7.0. Conclusion: In the present digital environment, use of internet through mobile phones, smart phones, and tablet PCs have been increased tremendously among youths all over the world. Third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) technology' of mobile are coming in the market which provide very fast internet on mobile phones and smart phones. QR Codes are used in every area or field. However, for this to succeed, we need to take care to implement QR codes where they really make our users’ lives easier. QR codes offer a wide variety of useful applications for libraries, and as more and more users begin to use smart phones and other mobile devices, libraries need to find ways to reach those users (Hampton,et.al.,2011).QR codes & their effective use in library services can enable the popularity the libraries, bridging the digital divide. So, the future of QR codes for mobiles phones is very bright & it is need of the hour. The library professionals have been playing very vital role in providing the prompt information services to maximum users.