How to Scan a QR Code

Over the years, you may have heard or read that the germiest thing in restaurants are its menus. While I don’t know how much truth there is to it, it has to at least be one of the germiest things—it is one of many items that go from customer to customer without a wipedown in-between. And now, due to the pandemic, restaurants need to find alternative ways to give out the menu while decreasing or eliminating the risk (which is one of those things that make me think Why didn’t we always do this?). Recently, I’ve seen small food joints write their selection on a board above the cashier using a chalkboard or a digital sign. Others have laminated their menus (or have always had laminated menus) and now servers or busboys wipe them down with disinfectant after collecting them. The most chaotic I’ve seen are restaurants who throw out their menus after each customer—however, it's mostly done due to a rotating or seasonal menu that would not make sense to have laminated. And lastly, there are places that have a little square of paper with a QR code on it, either laminated or in a plastic display case, on each table. This relies on at least one customer having a smartphone and knowing how to scan it. This is where I come in—I can’t give out smartphones (though I wish we could), but I can teach you how to scan it on almost any device as the instructions are very similar!

If you don’t know what a QR code is, please check out our blog post, called Q-ing Up Data on Your Phone, written by Laura in our IT Department.

How do I scan a QR code?

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Point your camera at the QR code.
3. Click on the pop-up.

That’s it! Sounds pretty simple, right? However, we all know that technology can get a little pesky, so I have included a few troubleshooting options and additional information in case that didn’t work for you.

Where is the Camera app on my device?

Apple (iPhone/iPad): Swipe left on the Lock Screen, locate it in the alphabetical app list on the Home Screen, or swipe down from the top of the screen and press the camera button.

Android (Google, Motorola, Samsung,etc.): Swipe up from the bottom of the Home Screen and locate it in the alphabetical app list or double press the power button located on the left side of the device.

Nothing happened when I pointed my iPhone/iPad camera at the QR Code. What should I do?

1. Locate the Settings app on your home screen and open it.
2. Scroll to “Camera” and open it by pressing on it.
3. Locate “Scan QR Codes” and make sure the toggle to the right of it is green. If it’s not, press the toggle button to turn it green.

I have tried everything above and nothing seems to be working. What can I do?

There is always a chance that your device is too old to scan these with the standard camera app, but we still want you to be able to scan the QR codes at our branches. That’s why we added a QR code scanner to MyMCLSNJ—our Library App!

If you don’t already have the app downloaded, please do so by clicking on the appropriate app store below.

  

Open the app and scroll to the bottom, you will see a QR code with the words “QR Code Scanner” written to the right. Press that to launch the camera and point it at the QR code. Try to get the QR code to fit within the box on the screen. It will automatically open the link when it is detected!

If you want to know a little more about our app and what it can do for you, check out our blog post called Your Library Loves You, written by Laura of the IT Department (as well). For additional MyMCLSNJ help, go to The MyMCLSNJ App page on our website.

Do you have anyone who can help me with all of this?

Yes, we do! We have one-on-one and class technology instructions with our Technology Instructors! Please go to the Technology Instruction page on our website for more updated information.

- Kim L., IT Department