Cloud computing in libraries
"The cloud computing library system provides flexibility to the librarians to run library system suit/LMS applications from on and off premises. It releases the libraries from the management of system and system updates." (Shaw 2019)
"Through cloud-based integrated LMS, a librarian can better handle resources in the cloud, offer enhanced display of materials, promote cooperative cataloging, share databases among libraries, and reduce the amount spent for the purpose in comparison to the traditional on-premise library automation system." (Shaw 2019)
The benefits of cloud computing include:
- No additional hardware costs
- Outsourced administration
- You pay for what you use
- Usage is scalable
- Updates are automated
- There is cross device compatibility
- Accessibility from any location
- Applications can be customized and white-labelled
The disadvantages of cloud computing include:
- No control over where and how data is stored
- If the remoter server goes down, you might have downtime with no access to your data
- Privacy may be an issue. Who controls or has access to your data?
- Will the provider be able to meet any regulatory compliance needs of the library?
- Long-term viability of the provider, what happens to your data if they go out of business?
- Internet connection speed and latency may access and timely use of the data.
Security of data in the cloud is handled via cloud encryption, a service offered by cloud storage providers. Library data is transformed via encryption algorithms and placed in a storage cloud. (Libcognizance 2017)
References
Shaw, J. N., & De Sarkar, T. (2019). Model Architecture for Cloud Computing-Based Library
Management. New Review of Information Networking, 24(1), 17–30.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13614576.2019.1608581
Libcognizance (2017, December 24). Cloud computing and its applications in libraries.
libcognizance.com. https://www.libcognizance.com/2017/12/blog-post.html.
Accessed 2025, May 15.
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