Cloud Computing in the Library

by Marion Peña

    Today I wanted to talk a little bit about "Cloud Computing" and how cloud computing is becoming something that most libraries throughout the world are adopting and utilizing. But before we get into all of that, let's talk about what "cloud computing" actually is.

"Cloud computing is a web-based technology, which is a new form of computing. It is a service provided on the internet or network." People can use the internet to access technology-enabled services. For example, when you are logging into Facebook or searching for your next travel plans on Expedia, you are taking advantage of cloud computing.

    How is cloud computing being used in our libraries? Well, some of you, like myself, might remember the days of spending hours in your local library manually searching for books in the library catalog, researching library resources you could use for your papers for school. You had to actually physically be present in order to do these tasks. Well, these days that is not necessary anymore. Libraries offer you opportunities to access these services and many more online, right from the comfort of your own home. 

    The best example of cloud computing technology used in most modern and digital libraries is the Online Public Access Catalogue, also called OPAC. "OPAC provides the complete bibliographic details of the collection of a library to its users. A user can retrieve the documents from the OPAC by searching the name of author, title, call number, or ISBN etc." Cloud computing technologies are utilized in libraries to create a digital library and automate processes using 3rd party services. Cloud computing provides librarians with a way to share distributed resources and services that belong to different organizations or sites.

    

    In conclusion, by providing and establishing a public cloud among many digital libraries, it can conserve library resources and at the same time improve their user satisfaction. 

    We are so lucky to be able to enjoy the many databases our libraries provide it's patrons. Every resource is now available to us on-demand, 24 hours a day. You can literally access resources from all over the world with just the click of a button. How amazing is that? Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of cloud computing.

Works cited: 

"Computers in Libraries, implementing a new cloud computing library management service" Jan/Feb 2012, Vol 32, Issue 1

"International Journal of Digital Library Services, Cloud Computing in Libraries, An Overview,  Vol 6 Jan - Mar 2016, issue 1 - www.ijodls.com// Geetanjali Reserch Publication" by Suman and Parminder Singh