The University Cloud Library Model and the Role of the Cloud Librarian

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing is the improvement of Distributed Computing, Parallel Computing, Grid Computing and Distributed Databases. The basic principle of Cloud Computing is making tasks distributed in large numbers of distributed computers but not in local computers or remote servers. “The idea of cloud computing has emerged for outsourcing of computing infrastructure, storage of client data and applications that are accessed via a remote server” (Hosch, 2009; Knorr & Gruman, 2008). Traditionally, companies sold product CD’s and one had to buy a license to use them. Now companies like Tally, Frank Borland products provide subscription services on the Internet, without the need for the customer to set up anything and pay on a monthly or yearly basis or just for the usage. Cloud computing also provides a common computing platform where users can build their own applications for use by others through the Web.