How To Add QR Codes To III Library Catalogs

Adding QR Codes to your Innovative Interfaces Library Catalog is pretty easy! Just follow the steps below. Note, you should be familiar with your III HTML files before attempting to make these changes. If not, contact your Systems Admin. I also recommend testing on your test-webport first.

1. Backup two files in your /screens directory — wwwoptions and bib_display.html, then download to your computer (via FTP)
2. In wwwoptions, look for ICON_RECORDLINK and change it to:

   ICON_RECORDLINK=http://YOUR_LIBRARY_WEBSITE/%s

   where YOUR_LIBRARY_WEBSITE is the URL of your Library Catalog. %s will dynamically display the unique record id.

3. In bib_display.html, add in:

   
<img src="http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=120x120&chl=
<!--{recordlink}-->
" />


   to where you want the QR code displayed. Be sure to put the recordlink token on it’s own separate line and aligned to the left.

4. Upload both files back into your /screens folder and reboot the webports.
5. Do a keyword search in your Library Catalog and find a record. You should see your QR code somewhere on the record display. (See image below)
6. Take your mobile device and scan the QR code (using a barcode app). It should take you directly to the page with the catalog. This makes it easier for patrons to search for something on a desktop computer, scan it, and capture that data on their mobile devices to take to a librarian.

Recommended QR Scanner Apps

If you need a QR scanner for your mobile device, here are some I recommend. Download the appropriate one.

• iOS: QR Code Reader and Scanner
• Android OS: Mobiletag Barcodes Reader
• Palm WebOS: QR deCODEr
• Blackberry, Nokia, and more: UpCode

Further Reading

For further reading and more advanced QR techniques, read about it on Google Code.

Shelfari

Shelfari has been one of my favorite websites in the past few months. I’m so thankful that my friend Mike invited me. It’s another book social network, but what makes this one different is the amazing user interface. I absolutely love seeing the book covers on an actual shelf. Adding books, reviews, and discussions are quite easy as well. Join the community so we can recommend books to each other. ;)

Here are some IT-related books that I read/want to read:

I enjoy reading books with topics in sci-fi, fantasy, technology, social media, library 2.0, and scrapbooking. Come join me on Shelfari. I’m also on GoodReads and LibraryThing if you prefer those book social networks.