On-demand computing power at modest cost, tied with faster Internet accessibility in the Cloud has offered the future of Cloud libraries. This chapter presents a snapshot of what is happening in the arena of Cloud libraries. It presents the features, its promises, components that drive a Cloud library, users and the services, infrastructure, information sources, and retrieval strategies in the Cloud. Further, it presents a Cloud strategic planning model for its realization in libraries. Whereas a lot of work has been done on the technical aspects and implications in health and medical services, there is lack of focus on the implication of Cloud computing in a library setting. This chapter is a self-conscious attempt in filling some of the gaps.
TopCloud Computing And Libraries: Issues
There is an intellectual contestation of varied interpretations regarding the implication of Cloud computing in libraries. Sadeh (2007) feels that “The widespread adoption of Web search engines and other Internet tools and services and the emergence of players such as Google Scholar and Windows Live Academic in the scholarly information-retrieval arena have reduced users’ dependence on library support to fulfil their information needs.” The Web has also expanded the scope of services provided by librarians. Vaquero, Rodero-Merino, Caceres, and Lindner (2009) opine that Cloud computing and Web collaboration is two major concepts that underlie new and innovative developments in library automation. Cloud services allow for more optimal resource utilization, easier access, and more effective cost reduction.
The growing Internet usage among library users plus the time users spend on the Internet has made it imperative for the libraries to offer their services online. Today`s information consumers have more alternative and attractive ways of finding information than the traditional libraries. The “change in users` perceptions and their preference for Internet tools and services such as Web search engines, e-mail, blogs, and RSS feeds” needs to be studied and redesign the library services (Sadeh, 2007).
Yang (2012) asserts that “The Cloud-based new generation of ILS allows many libraries to share useful data. For instance, sharing of full-text journal titles from electronic databases, many libraries subscribe to the same database.” Historically, libraries have turned to huge capital investment on IT infrastructure for various online as well as subscription based services. With these success libraries are motivated for using subscription based IT infrastructure in the Cloud. “In the field of library automation there are several commercial suppliers already offering various adaption’s of their products which make the use of the cloud possible to a lesser or greater extent” (Romero, 2012). According to Tomer and Alman (2011) Cloud computing is important in the context of LIS for two reasons “First, the embrace of Cloud computing by many organizations, including OCLC, OhioLink, SirsiDynix, and the Library of Congress suggest that this mode of computing will have a significant impact on the configuration, the economics, and perhaps the personal requirements of library computing in years to come.”