Library QR Codes: Catalog, Opening Hours, and Events

Public libraries offer a lot of digital content: the online catalog, e-books and audiobooks, databases, and events. Little of this is visible in the physical space. QR codes on shelves, at the entrance, and in the program booklet bridge the gap, and because libraries occasionally switch systems, these codes should be dynamic.

Good places for QR codes

• Entrance and returns: Opening hours, account, and renewals
• Shelves: E-book releases on the same topic, reading recommendations
• Children's corner: Storytime schedule
• Posters: Registration for readings or workshops
• Bookmarks: Catalog and opening hours to take away

System changes without reprinting

If the library changes its catalog or e-book provider, all URLs change. Printed bookmarks and shelf labels with static codes would then become worthless. With dynamic QR codes, you enter the new URLs, and all printed materials remain valid.

Opening hours and holidays

With the “Opening hours & directions” template, you create a page with the times for each day of the week. During the summer holidays, you update the times on the page. The code at the entrance and on the bookmarks remains the same.

Events

A QR code on the poster leads to the registration. If the reading is fully booked or has ended, you change the destination to the next event. With date-based time control, the code switches automatically the day after the reading.

What the statistics show

Assign a unique code to each location, such as “Fiction E-books Shelf” and “Entrance Counter”. The statistics show the number of scans per code, without Same-QR tracking who scanned it. Only the count is stored, no IP address and no device information.

Conclusion

QR codes make the digital offerings of a library visible in physical space. When set up dynamically, they withstand any system change and holiday period. On sameqr.com, you can start with a free code.

Frequently asked questions