OBLATES OF SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOLS

SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE

Rosario, Batangas

Topic: Cloud Computing and Its Application In Libraries

Objectives:
1. To gain deep understanding about cloud computing its characteristics and how it
works.
2. To identify types of cloud computing flatforms.
3. To identify common application of cloud computing in different industries.
4. To find ways how to maximize the use of cloud computing in libraries.

Introduction
Till recently, and now too many organizations and individuals use computers to work
alone, inside a business or home by investing on hardware, software and maintenance. It is
the need of the day to adopt the latest technology in an organization. With the
help of technology, it can ensure quick and appropriate access of every information when
needed.
Cloud computing is use of internet for computing needs. There are so many forms of
using this technology. For example, use of software applications, storing data, etc. Accessing
computing power or platform to build applications is also the example of such services. From
e-mail, to word processing or photo sharing or video sharing there are so many services one
can choose from. These services can be accessed from any type of internet connection and
are secure. These services are also backed up. The best live example of this is Gmail, which
is increasingly used by organizations and individuals to run their e-mail services. Google Apps
being free for educational institutions is widely used for running different applications,
especially the email services, which was earlier run using their own computer servers. This
has saved cost for the organizations as they pay per use for applications and services and
time for the computer staff, which they can invest on running other services. Google takes care
of the upgrading, backup and maintenance of servers.
Libraries are using computers for running services such as Integrated Library
Management Software (ILMS), website or portal, digital library or institutional repository, etc.
These are either maintained by parent organization’s computer staff or library staff. It involves
investment on hardware, software, and staff to maintain these services and undertake backup
and upgrade as and when new version of the software gets released.
“Now many university libraries are virtualizing servers and desktops, collaborating with other
campus organizations and saving money and staff time” (Kelley, 2012). Cloud based services
provide a means for libraries to free resources on information technologies and focus on
libraries‟ core competencies- manage, organize and disseminate information. “Cloud based
services are also bringing cutting-edge services to libraries that have less information
technology expertise,” according to Zhu (2012).
Library professionals in most cases not being trained in maintaining servers find it
difficult to undertake some of these activities without the support of IT staff from within or
outside the organization. Now cloud computing has become a new buzzword in the field of
libraries, which is blessing in disguise to run different ICT services without much of a problem
as third-party services will manage servers and undertake upgrades and take backup of data.
Even though there are some concerns in using cloud services such as privacy, security, etc.,
some of the libraries have already embraced this new technology to run some of their
services.
Many libraries now adapting 3M cloud libraries applications.

What Is Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a new phenomena. Many individuals and organizations are
adopting this technology model for IT services. The benefit is that they are saved from hosting
and operating multiple servers over their own network. It saves them from the burden and risk
of constantly hardware failure. They need worry to install softwares, upgrading or backup
issues. It also saves the cost of the organization.
Cloud computing refers to “the delivery of computing as a service rather than a
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SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE

Rosario, Batangas

product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and
other devices as a metered service over a network, typically the internet”. “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 and Gruman, 2008).
In cloud computing model, organizations need to buy or pay for only those services which are
to be needed by the. In this pick and choose model, organizations are just to request the
service providers to add or remove the services as per the needs.
The Christy & Carina of Gartner Group define cloud computing as „a style of computing
in which massively scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service to
external customers using Internet technologies‟.
To simplify the concept, cloud computing can be defined as „simply the sharing and
use of applications and resources of a network environment to get work done without concern
about ownership and management of the network’s resources and applications‟ (M.-S. E
Scale, 2009)
Cloud computing is a very flexible model. In it, users can also build or prepare their
own application which can also be used by others through internet. Actually it provides a
common computing platform.

Cloud Computing: Characteristics

Mentioned below are the main characteristics of clouds computing:
• Resources are shared among users. It works very fast in the distributed computing
environment.
• It ensures "on-demand" provision of resources, without having engineers for peak
loads.
• By sharing common infrastructure, it ensures to work efficiently with multiple users and
multiple applications. It reduces the cost of services.
• It is the characteristic of Cloud computing that users can access it from any corner of
the world simply through the internet connection because the infrastructure is provided
by a third-party.
• These applications are easy to maintain as compared to individual applications, since
they are installed on a common platform and can be accessed from different places.
• There are minimum chances of infrastructure failure, so servers are more reliable and
highly available.
• As the company need not to set its own infrastructure, so there are cost reductions
through pay-as-per usage of resources.
• User can access services by using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) on the
cloud and pay as per the usage.

Types Of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing IT model has wider meaning as it essentially has three different types
of services viz. SaaS, PaaS and Iaas.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software as a Service or Saas is a service in which softwares or applications are
provided to the users as a service. So we know it popularly as software on demand. The
program can be accessed online via any suitable client such as a web browser. In this model,
users are provided the access of the applications through licenses or subscriptions. The
softwares are provided in a „pay as- you-go‟ model, where the user has to pay only for the
softwares or applications which s/he is going to use or at no charge. Example of such services
is Google Apps, Salesforce, etc.
It is hosted centrally hosted and scope for customization or control of applications or
softwares is little.
However, there are benefits like the user has no worry about hosting, installing, upgrading, or
maintaining the software or applications. In addition, the user has low initial costs, and access
to (usually 24/7) support services.
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Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Platform as a Service is a category of service which provides platform or environment
to allow the developers to build the required applications or softwares and the users have the
access simply via a web browser over the internet. Softwares are deployed and configuration
settings are done by users. All types of enterprises, irrespective of its size, are adopting this
service as it is very hassle free, no worry about the maintenance of hardware of software
infrastructure.
In this model, the enterprises are helped in building, testing and deploying web based
applications.The „organisations need not to invest for the infrastructure they require for
building web and mobile applications. They have to simply rent the use of platforms of vendors
such as Windows Azure, Google AppEngine, and Force.com.
However, there is a disadvantage that the applications or softwares which re built using
these vendor‟s services, are usually locked into that one platform6. This service is like water
and electricity facility, where the users have to simply „tap in‟ and take what they need without
worrying about the complexity. It is based on subscription model. Users only pay for what they
use. Users can focus on innovation instead of complex infrastructure7

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Infrastructure as a Service ie Iaas is also called as Hardware as a Service or Haas. In
this pay as you go service model, the user is offered both storage and computing power
services. It includes virtual service space or a platform. It also includes storage, network
connections, IP addresses and bandwidth. In this model, user doesn‟t buy separately
software, servers, network equipment or data-center space; rather he buys all these as a fully
outsourced service. The cost of the services is on computing basis, the user pay for bundle of
services chosen. The example can be taken from Amazon‟s web services. AWS provides
Simple Storage Services (S3) for data storage and elastic compute cloud (EC2) for computing
resources. Amazon‟s web services are being used by organizations for many purposes viz. to
run high performance computing simulations, for content delivery etc. It is also being used to
host or backup the organization‟s websites, to host their media collections and many other
services.

Initiatives Of Cloud Computing

There are good number of cloud computing initiatives undertaken by Amazon, Google,
Microsoft and others offering various types of cloud computing services for the organisations,
businesses, and individuals. Some services offered by these initiatives are:

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon is a major player of cloud computing. It offers a wide range of prominent
services, for example, simple storage service (S3), elastic compute cloud (EC2), simple DB
and simple queuing service (SQS). AWS provides a scalable and reliable low-cost platform of
infrastructure in the cloud that powers hundreds of thousands of businesses in countries
around the world8. Some of the solutions offered by Amazon through cloud computing include
application hosting, web hosting, backup and storage, enterprise IT, content delivery, and
databases. To help new users, Amazon also offers a free service for a period of one year on
all its cloud computing services to launch new applications, test existing applications in the
cloud, or simply gain handson experience with AWS.

Google Apps
Google Apps cloud services, a multi-tenant, internetscale infrastructure, offers faster
access to innovation, superior reliability, and security, and maximum economies of scale as
compared to on-premises, hosted and software plus services technologies9. Google Apps is
available free for individuals and organisations (limited up to 10 user accounts), educational
institutions and US non-profitable organisations and for a price to businesses and
organisations. Google apps offer Gmail which is now most preferred email service. It also
provides Google Docs, Google Sites, Google video and other services. Google Apps helps
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SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE

Rosario, Batangas

organisations to move their e-mail services, web services and office applications. Google also
has „Google App Engine‟ service. With this service, organizations can build and host web
apps on the same systems that power Google applications. It offers fast development and
deployment; simple administration, with no need to worry about hardware, patches or
backups; and effortless scalability9.

Microsoft Windows Azure

Microsoft Corporation has created its own cloud platform on 1st February 2010 which
was named as Windows Azure before 25 March 2014. After this it is renamed as Microsoft
Azure. Microsoft provides this service through its datacenters. In this platform, organisations
can develop and run applications itself with unbounded scalability. User has to pay only for the
services he chooses. Windows Azure allows developers to develop and run applications
quickly, while leveraging current skills to develop applications with .NET, PHP, or Java10.
Some of the scenarios offered by Windows Azure for businesses and organisations include
SaaS, storage, computing, database management etc.

Rackspace Cloud
This cloud platform offers three types of services for organisations and businesses viz.
cloud servers, cloud files and load balancers. It offers free architecture assistance to its users
with every account. Cloud servers are available to organisations in different sizes . It uses
Akamai‟s content delivery network (CDN) to globally deliver the stored media and files. Its
third service Cloud balancer helps organisations to enhance their server capacities and to
balance the load factor and this service is extended only on-demand11.

Cloud Computing: Application In Libraries

There are some organizations and business houses who functions as cloud computing
vendors for library softwares, search engines and digital libraries etc and offer the use of cloud
computing platform for these purposes. Some of these are:

OCLC’s Webscale
OCLC is perfectly using cloud computing for libraries and set an example for others.
Years together OCLC has been functioning as a cloud computing vendor because they
provide cataloguing tools over the internet and allow member institutions to draw on their
centralised data store13. OCLC has implemented the plan of library management systems i.e.
worldshare management services (WMS). This service has services for many areas like
acquisitions, analytics, resource sharing, cataloguing and license management components. It
offers the entire library collection management in a cloud- based application. The main
purposes of webscale are that libraries can share their resources, data, and innovation with
ease. To serve these purposes, it has some certain features that work together to provide its
users better library services. In other words, this will generate cost benefits for libraries and
efficiencies not possible when utilizing disparate, specialised systems13. The service promises
to include privacy, security, scalability and technical support.

Ex-Libris Cloud
Ex-Libris is a leading library software vendor from USA. It provides cloud based
solutions to automate the library operations. It developed most products for locally
implemented solutions and adapted them to a hosted environment later. Its website claims
that over 5300 in more than 80 countries are
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deploying Ex-Libris solutions for automation of their library resources. It allows libraries to
enhance their efficiency and lower the cost of operations and extend their value through
launching new services. It has changed the way to provide traditional management of library
resources through its library based system, Alma. It besides ensuring considerable savings in
total cost, involved in the implementation of software and the use of a centralized cloud service
enables libraries to easily influence the collaborative efforts of the library community to provide
effective services for their users14. To provide worldwide cloud-based services; it has opened
data centers at various locations. The company promises to adhere to data security, updates,
and standards in implementing cloud services to safeguard the interests of customers.

Duraspace’s DuraCloud
Duraspace provides open source repository solutions by undertaking turnkey projects
for organizations and libraries to enable them to share scholarly literature using DSpace and
Fedora Commons. It is particularly devoted to improve and sustain Fedora and DSpace.
These open source repository solutions are very famous for IR solutions. Its new service
DuraCloud provides digital preservation support services in the cloud, which is cost effective
and simple for libraries. DuraCloud helps libraries to move content to the cloud and store it
with different service providers to eliminate the risk of data loss.
The cloud solutions offered include online backup, preservation and archives, media access,
online sharing, and cloud broker16.

OSS Labs
OSS labs from India is using Amazon‟s elastic cloud computing platform owing to the
various capabilities of Amazon such as high durability of data, ISO standards based strong
information security and flexibility. It is expected that the OSS labs will be able to provide
robust open based solutions to demanding customers17. OSS Labs offer hosting and
maintenance services for Koha ILS and DSpace IR. OSS Labs use Amazon‟s cloud services.
Library operations have become very cost effective and the library staff need not to worry
about maintenance of software etc.

Enhancement Of Library Services By The Use Of Cloud Computing

• E-books Lending Service: Cloud platform is now becoming popular to lend the E-
Books.
• Union /Shared Catalogue/OPAC: Network libraries can use same platform and give
access to their collection on one platform. Through cloud computing creation of union
catalogue becomes very easy.
 OBLATES OF SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOLS

SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE

Rosario, Batangas

Figure 1. The model for Cloud University Library.

▪ Document Download Service: One can download documents easily if permit

access in the network.
▪ Digital preservation/Scanning Service: Digitization and scanning work can be
done centralized and so one can avoid duplication of such time consuming work.
Libraries can preserve the collection is digital form in the form of archives.
▪ Article Delivery Service: Cloud computing can be used for article delivery service
to the patrons by the libraries. Publishers are already using this technology for
providing access to libraries.
▪ Current Awareness Service: To provide current awareness service to all patrons
has become easy with cloud computing.
▪ Document Sharing: Document sharing has become easy with cloud
computing.
▪ Bulletin board service: We can provide new services on bulletin board with this
technology.
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SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE

Rosario, Batangas

▪ Information Common: Information common like bibliographical data, content pages,

cover pages, question papers, syllabus, and other reading material we can share on
one platform. It helps in improving economy of library and avoids duplication of library
purchase.
▪ Collection Development: Cloud computing is used for collection development.
Duplications can be easily avoided and alternate resources can be located and made
accessible to patrons.
▪ File sharing: To share various files in electronic form become easy with the cloud
computing.
▪ Information Discovery: Cloud provides a platform to store all information that one
can access anytime from anywhere; so information discovery and searching become
easy and it is very useful for researchers.
▪ E-Learning: In the E-Learning environment too, cloud computing is boon. Study
material can be kept on the cloud for reference purpose and online examinations also
can be conducted. Discussions, revisions can be done at a time from different places.
▪ Information Literacy/Orientation: Libraries can conduct information literacy and
orientation courses on the cloud. They can keep the tutorials, videos, presentations
and files on the cloud for user‟s orientation.
▪ Social Interactions with the users: Can be possible because of cloud computing.

Role of Cloud Librarian

• To track member information and transactions
• To provide Access Pin to students and define validity. (Pin can be auto generated;
Validity can be set in the software)
• To communicate with the member libraries contributing their resources to cloud for
resource sharing
• To communicate with the Ebooks, Journals publishers& distributors, consortia,
database providers
• To discuss with faculty members and subject experts, librarians for preparing different
packages for different faculties and classes.
• To update technological skills
• To give technological support to member libraries
• To conduct training and awareness programs for readers To provide interlibrary loan
facility
• To track usage record of cloud resources To develop digital collection
• To keep record of physical resources too for providing referral service To deal with
Cloud resource and players and select the best bargain.
• To maintain own virtual profile by creating his or her blog or social network profile to
interact with the user. The same platform can be used for providing reference services
and educating the users on cloud resources or how to use the Cloud infrastructure.
• To use his or her strategic planning and decision making ability at different stages of
developing a Cloud library.

Advantages
Some of the advantages of cloud computing are:
• Cost saving – In cloud computing, the user has to pay only for those services which he
chooses and thus technology enables the libraries or organizations to save on costs.
• Easy on installation and maintenance – By using this technology, the organization has
no worry about server updates and other computing issues. IT staff of these
organizations may concentrate on other tasks. There is no need to procure any
hardware to run the servers.
• Increased storage - Cloud can hold more storage than a personal computer or the
servers available in the libraries or organisations and it is possible to extend as per the
need.
• Automation – With the help of cloud computing technology, every software update or
maintenance is done automatically by the service provider and the IT or library staff
need not to worry about all these things.
• Flexible – This technology is very flexible and the user is free to add or remove any of its
facilities thus saving cost and time of the users. It facilitates the libraries to expand its
services anytime.
• Better mobility - The users rather than having to remain present at their desks with a PC
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and Internet connection can access the library servers from wherever they are,.
• Shared resources – This is the main and important feature of cloud computing that
participating organizations can share their resources. By sharing their resources, they
can save on costs and more libraries can access more number of resources at one
place.

Disadvantages
Like any other technology, cloud computing also has some disadvantages. Here are the
mains:
• Privacy and security of Data - It is very big concern that there is a risk about the privacy
and security of data. It can be accessed by others in cloud and it is more risky when the
data is sensitive such as credit card information of customers. If the proper security
model is not yet in place, then the data stored on the cloud is vulnerable to attacks from
viruses, theft, etc. In addition, there is also the risk of data loss if there is system failure
or improper backup. The physical location of servers is difficult to find as these services
are provided through internet. It is hard to undertake the audit of software and security.
• Network connectivity and bandwidth – It is also a big concern that this service is directly
connected to internet connectivity. If there is connection failure, then the user cannot
access because this service is provided through internet. Also more bandwidth is
required, as it may not work on low-speed Internet connections19.
• Providers are supreme power – As these services are provided by third party, the
organizations have very little power to maintain or customize the services. It is very
difficult to access the physical location of servers and the organizations have to depend
on the service providers. Also the organizations are totally dependent on provider for
backup, updates, restore and disaster recovery.
• Flexibility is limited – It has limited flexibility for the user as cloud computing is provided
by third party. So there is little scope for customization as per specific requirements.
• Cost - Initially the cost of this service could be higher as there are some common
services for all. The organizations can reduce by more usage of these services.
However, cloud computing providers may increase the cost of their services in the future
and organizations may end up paying higher charges.
• Knowledge and integration – It is very important requirement that the organizations have
their own IT staff who have knowledge of cloud computing. Otherwise it is dependent on
the service provider. Likewise, it is difficult to integrate equipment used in data centers
are different from that of peripheral equipments in the organization such as printers, USB
drives, etc. So it is difficult to integrate and the integration is also an issue.

Conclusions

Cloud computing is a new phenomenon in the computer systems technology. It emerged

due to the developments in internet and associated technologies. This phenomenon is in
developing stage and will be very helpful for the organizations, if the services are being used
with care. However, this technology is very helpful for organizations like libraries in automating
and managing their services.
This technology has certain advantages. With the help of this technology, library staff will
be free from managing the servers. It is commonly seen that it is difficult for library professionals
to manage the technologies. The reasons may be their skill levels; there may be lack of support
from IT section or absence of IT facilities in the organizations. In these circumstances, the
library staff hinders in undertaking automation of library activities or developing digital library
services, etc. This technology can be of immense importance in helping libraries to undertake
modern ICT activities.
The library professionals need not to worry technical side of ICT activities. They only
have to add content of resources. Libraries in the west countries have already been using the
cloud computing technology for their resources. Slowly the awareness about this technology is
spreading in other parts of the world and with the use of ICT and internet; library professionals
are sharing their library resources with others on the platform. Thus, this technology will be of
immense use to libraries, if handled with utmost care and awareness about its disadvantages.

References:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276060801_Cloud_Computing_And_Its_Ap
plication_In_Libraries
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SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE

Rosario, Batangas

Activity
1. Identify 3 cloud computing application that you can use for your personal project.
2. Identify 3 cloud computing application that a library can adopt to maximize library
services..
3. Among the 3 cloud computing application in item #2, choose one and create plan of
action
Example:
AI Objectives Process (Step by Personnel Fund (Estimated)
stem
implementation