A Quick Response Code, or QR code, is somewhat like a regular barcode you see on everyday items that you buy at the store. Only, instead of a row of vertical lines, it’s a black and white square.

QR codes are meant to be scanned by a mobile phone, and can take you to websites, contact information, calendar events, images, text, maps, and more!

You'll need a QR reader to be able to scan the QR codes you see around the Library and on ocls.info. The following are free QR readers:

Barcode Scanner

Available through Android Market, this app does more than just scan QR codes, it also scans the barcodes of products like CDs and books for comparable prices and reviews as listed in Google.

Download | Learn More

Barcodes

Scan QR codes with this iPhone app and open links, call telephone numbers, add business information to your contacts. Scan images from your camera or your photo library.

Download | Learn More

BeeTagg Multicode Reader

Supported on many devices, including Blackberry, this app reads QR codes, BeeTagg codes, and Datamatrix.

Download | Learn More

i-nigma

Scan a barcode using your iPhone's camera and i-nigma will display the code's content or connect to the content directly.

Download | Learn More

NeoReader

Use this mobile app to turn your phone's camera into a barcode scanner. Compatible with many different handset manufacturers including Apple, BlackBerry, Motorola, Palm, SonyEricsson, Nokia, Samsung, Siemens, and T-Mobile.

Download | Learn More

QR App

Touted as the first free iPhone app that auto-scans QR codes in real-time, this app makes scanning codes simple. Just point your phone's camera toward the code and before you know it, you've reached your destination.

Download | Learn More

QR Scanner

This app is recommended for iPhones with auto focus cameras. Just point your camera at the QR code and readily access the code's content.

Download | Learn More

ScanLife

This app is supported on a variety of manufacturers, including Apple, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, RIM BlackBerry, T-Mobile, Verizon, and more.

Download | Learn More