Thursday, January 6, 2011

QR Code Scavenger Hunt Begins
Monday, January 10th

Scan this Code for the Hunt 
Calendar Event info.


Beginning Monday, you can bring your mobile device with a downloaded QR code reader app to the Lake Forest Library Reference Desk to begin the QR Code Scavenger Hunt. The first code of the hunt will be there along with a sheet of questions for you to answer as you scan the codes along the hunt. Once you’ve answered all the questions, turn your sheet in to the Reference Desk to receive your prize.  Anyone who can independently answer the questions can participate.  And if you don't own a mobile device, you can still participate. Just come to the Reference Desk and ask for the tip sheet for doing the hunt without a smart phone.  Prizes are a Lake Forest Library book bag and card holder with key chain.  The hunt begins Monday, January 10th and runs through Monday, February 28th during the library's normal hours. 

What are QR Codes? QR or Quick Response Codes are two-dimensional codes (such as the one above) that link to websites, text, documents, SMS addresses for text messaging, or video clips. The codes can be read or scanned by mobile devices having both camera and web-browsing features and having a code reader app downloaded. There are many free apps that work with a device’s camera to scan codes. They can be found by searching “QR” in your device’s app store.  Red Laser is a free code-reading app that we have found to work well with the I Phone and I Pod Touch.

Why Use QR codes?  They are an easy way for mobile device users to download information or links that they’d like to keep or view without having to type text or a website address, which can be difficult to do accurately on a mobile device.  You have probably seen QR codes in magazines and newspapers where they link to additional text or visual information to supplement an article's content. Many people's business cards now include QR codes which can be scanned to save all of their contact information.

QR Code Video Tutorial: Here’s a link to a 3-minute video showing how QR Codes and readers work. http://cnettv.cnet.com/use-qr-codes/9742-1_53-50085349.html.

Add the Hunt to Your Calendar!  You can scan the code above to download information about the QR Code Scavenger Hunt to your mobile device.  The information is in Calendar Event format for easy transfer to your device's calendar.  We hope to see you hunting soon at the library.
 

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