Cloud Computing in Libraries

Cloud computing is the latest in a trend of the ever-increasing presence of new technologies in libraries that support and evolve the processes and services that have made libraries a cornerstone of many schools and communities. While having more technology can make some processes more efficient and increases the appeal to the public, as these technologies become more advanced, requiring high-level skills to manage, libraries struggle to keep their support and IT departments evolving at a pace strong enough to meet the demands (Breeding).  Many libraries have begun to move away from having these types of systems and networks managed by their own Systems teams and IT Departments and outsourcing some of this more advanced work to third parties, allowing the library to focus its budgets on the application end of these new technologies.



Several different types of cloud computing exist but the main kinds that are being used in libraries include those focused on infrastructure, platforms, applications, and services (Goldner, p.5). Cloud services can be free services such as Google Drive and other cloud storages used for file organization but can also include more complex systems such as cloud-based library management systems like Alma from Ex Libris.  These types of changes give rise to new roles for IT professionals in the library and increase the efficiency of support services that often left smaller libraries in difficult situations.

References:

Breeding, Marshall. “Managing Tech and the Impact of Cloud Computing on Libraries.” Computers in Libraries, vol. 39, no. 2, Mar. 2019, pp. 9–11. EBSCOhost, https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lxh&AN=135486413&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Goldner, Matt. “Winds of Change: Libraries and Cloud Computing.” Oclc.org, 2010, www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/events/2011/files/IFLA-winds-of-change-paper.pdf.

Gordon-Murnane, Laura. “How Are Libraries Using Cloud Computing?” 2018 Short Cuts - Computers in Libraries, 2018, https://cil.brightcovegallery.com/detail/videos/2018-short-cuts/video/5793396057001/how-are-libraries-using-cloud-computing?autoStart=true.