The Zombie Library: books reanimated via QR codes

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to provide a comprehensive step by step plan on creating a Zombie Library, a physical collection of e‐books through the use of QR codes. Drawing on the collective authors' experience working with the QR codes creation, this article aims to help librarians interested in promoting e‐book collections and creating QR‐coded Zombie books in their libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was performed using library databases, as well as consulting various online library subject guides on the use of QR codes in libraries. Between November 2011 and October 2012 Idaho State University (ISU) library executed a plan for creating QR codes for a Gale Virtual Reference Library e‐book collection.

Findings

The study found an increased usage of the e‐book collection. The actual physical production of the items was more time‐consuming than originally expected. The Zombie Library project received a lot of support and enthusiasm from the campus community. Plans are being made to expand this project to other e‐book collections and other physical media (posters, bookmarks, etc.). This article combines promoting e‐book collections with physical representations of the e‐book via QR codes.

Originality/value

This article is an inclusive step by step plan for promoting e‐book collections using QR codes.

Citation

Lynne Semenza, J., Koury, R. and Gray, C. (2013), "The Zombie Library: books reanimated via QR codes", Collection Building, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 46-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604951311322011