Videos & Q.R. Codes in the Library

Q.R codes? They are the funny looking squares with different designs on them. In order for you to know what information is behind the code, you have to download a Q.R. code reader to your smart phone or device. People use them all over the world in business, marketing, and advertising. Once scanned, they may lead you to a picture or a video.  Of course, they have trickled into education!

Librarians are also using Q.R. codes! After reading Library Girl’s blog, I learned that Q.R. codes can make visiting the library a lot more techie and interactive! In her blog, she describes ways librarians can use Q.R. codes. She used them to allow children to access book reviews and book trailers that can help students make a more educated decision when selecting the next book they read instead of just looking at the front cover of the book in front of them! One of her good friends, made it easier for parents to access the library’s Facebook page, Twitter account, or any important information. Let’s face it! Some parents don’t have a lot of time on their hands, so this is a great way to keep them in the loop! So, if Q.R. codes are present in other’s libraries, why can’t they be part of mine, too?

It’s barely the weekend, and I cannot wait for Monday to get here! Why? Well, I have some ideas on how to use Q.R. codes, but I want to be able to stand in the middle of the library, observe the children and their habits, and come up with even more amazing ideas! But for now, I plan on using them to help me promote newer titles. I’ve worked so hard to buy new books to get them to the children’s hands. But, I’ve noticed that if the author doesn’t sound familiar, they are not likely to grab the book! And, there I am sitting behind the desk (in pain) watching them place the book back. Then, I run over there and tell them how great the book is. Finally, they decide to check it out! Well, with Q.R. codes, I can avoid the suffering. I am planning on sticking a Q.R. code and linking it to a book trailer. That way, they know what the book is about, so they can give the book a try. Besides, book trailers will do a better job than me!

Also, I do not know why, but at my school, a new student arrives every other week. Ten leave; fifteen come in. Five leave, ten come in. All in a 6 weeks! I don’t want to sound lazy, but those children do not experience the whole library tour and orientation. I am soooooo going to use a Q.R. code, so new students can scan and have an idea of what my library is all about. No, I am not lazy. I am efficient! J

Videos are a great way to communicate with your students. I saw several examples in which very talented students made very entertaining videos that informed others about turning books in on time and also reminded them of taking good care of books.

Tiger Visits the Norman High Library by Calypso Gilstrap is definitely one of my favorite videos. Even though it was filmed in a secondary setting, I feel that my little Pre-K students would love this video. They are the ones that may be lost or confused when they come to the library because they are brand new to the whole "school" idea. Tiger is a fun way to teach the students all they can do at their library. I loved how he tipped toed and walked in a quietly manner towards the Nooks. That is one thing we need to teach them, to walk and not run. This is probably a video I will use next school year and make it part of orientation. Fifth Harmony Overdue Library Book Parody by bbmsmedia is also another video I enjoyed. To begin with, the tune is pretty catchy! I hope that students sing that tune as soon as they finish reading their books. One thing I have noticed is that students forget to return their books and come to the library expecting to check out more! And if it helps, I am willing to replay and replay this video on our library's monitor!

YouTube is definitely a great tool! It can help you promote your library, events, and even new books. I created a book trailer for The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton. 

Here is a summary of the book provided to you by Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23604390-the-princess-and-the-pony

“Princess Pinecone knows exactly what she wants for her birthday this year. A BIG horse. A STRONG horse. A horse fit for a WARRIOR PRINCESS! But when the day arrives, she doesn't quite get the horse of her dreams...

From the artist behind the comic phenomenon Hark! A Vagrant, The Princess and the Pony is a laugh-out-loud story of brave warriors, big surprises, and falling in love with one unforgettable little pony.”

I fell in love with the plot, and it quickly became part of my faves! I used Animoto to create my very own book trailer. It doesn’t look very professional, but for being my first book trailer, I think it was pretty good. Since I was very proud of it, I also created a Q.R. code, so everyone can have access to my book trailer. Once you scan the Q.R. code, you will be redirected to YouTube. Just play the trailer and enjoy! Trust me! It is an awesome book! Instead of me giving you all the details, I invite you to scan it and prepare to be amazed! Not at my talent but at Beaton’s!

Sources:

Girl, L. (2012, January 5). The 10 Best Feed Reader Apps for RSS, News, and More [Web log post]. Retrieved October 29, 2016, from http://www.librarygirl.net/2012/01/from-tech-trend-to-teaching-tool-taking.html

Tiger Visits the Norma High Library [Video file]. (2015, May 4). Retrieved October 29, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeUhXLvFAi4

Fifth Harmony Overdue Books [Video file]. (2016, June 13). Retrieved October 29, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIpc4Hnj_HU

Illustration of a sword [Illustration of a sword with a transparent background]. Retrieved October 29, 2016, from http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/15567

Make great videos. Retrieved October 29, 2016, from https://animoto.com/

Pink googley-eye bird [A funny-looking pink cartoon bird with big eyes.]. (2013, November 9). Retrieved October 30, 2016, from https://openclipart.org/detail/183310/pink-googleyeye-bird

Hearts in a Heart [Multiple hearts in a bigger heart.]. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2016, from https://www.goodfreephotos.com/vector-images/heart-in-heart-vector-files.png.php

Kate Beaton. In Flickr. Retrieved October 30, 2016, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/5of7/5881972829 (Originally photographed 2011, June 19)

Finger Face with a Question Mark. In Flickr. Retrieved October 30, 2016, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/86979666@N00/7623744452 (Originally photographed 2012, July 22)