PurposeThe objectives of the study include the following: (1) to design and develop digital information products by using Quick Response (QR) codes (2) to make an awareness of QR codes in library users; (3) to study user preferences for black and green QR codes in the library services of management institutes and (4) to raise awareness of the product layer among the library profession.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a participatory action research approach. The researcher implemented QR codes in the library, and participants scanned QR codes through their smartphones. All data analyses were performed using IBM SPSS and Microsoft Excel 2016.FindingsThe researcher found that both QR codes will be popular in the future; however, users will prefer to scan the green QR code multiple times due to the code's increased benefits and advantages (which have been discussed in this report).Research limitations/implicationsThis study implemented QR codes in MBA libraries affiliated with Savitribai Phule Pune University in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas.Originality/valueThe current study implemented a QR code in the library service with green and black colours. This study examined which QR code will be popular in the future owing to QR code's advanced features and specifications. This, in turn, will assist the library in designing such a collection and developing more QR codes that will be recommended to users. This will assist in the creation of good digital information products for smartphone users.