The growing acceptance of mobile technologies within the library environment has raised the challenge of how libraries make available contextualized and personalized information. Mobile engagement with information and access to services is becoming increasingly routine. However, m-learning implementations are currently input dependent, regardless of the technology deployed. The protracted methods of accessing stored information and services through phone-pad input functionalities is time-consuming, frustrating and serves to limit the uptake of m-initiatives. Moreover, the type, scope or quality of the information being accessed is potentially a barrier to committed acceptance of mobile delivery as a useful, long-term component of an information environment. To increase the impact of m-deployments, to enhance flexibility of provision and also to advance the personalisation of learning, a number of institutions are investigating or using Quick Response (QR) codes, Mobile Tags (MT) or, just on the horizon for non-commercial use, technologies such as Nokia Point and Find, oMoby, Kooaba and Google goggles. Such software allow users with embedded camera phones ready access to information, products/resources and services. However, the increasing use of two-dimension barcodes, or point and click software creates challenges for the library. These may include evaluating the impact of mobile, personalised learning by library users, specifically in regard to the user being able to transfer information from one format to another, and assessing what impact the development of contextualised learning environments will have upon library service planning.

This paper describes a project being currently undertaken by the Waikato Institute of Technology Library to integrate QR codes within their policies, planning, and infrastructure.