CLOUD COMPUTING: AN INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR LIBRARY SERVICES / الحوسبة السحابية: أداة مبتكرة لخدمات المكتبة

CLOUD COMPUTING: AN INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR LIBRARY SERVICES

Abstract:

Cloud computing is a new technique of Information Communication Technology because of its potential benefits such as reduced cost, accessible anywhere anytime as well as its elasticity and flexibility.

In this Paper defines cloud Computing, Definition, Essential Characteristics, model of Cloud Computing, Components of Cloud, Advantages & Drawbacks of Cloud Computing and also describe cloud computing in libraries.

Keywords:

Cloud Computing, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, Components of Cloud, Models of Cloud Computing, Libraries and Cloud.

INTRODUCTION:

Cloud computing is making it possible to separate the process of building an infrastructure for service provisioning from the library of providing end user services.

Cloud computing provides people the way to share distributed resources and services that belong to different organizations or sites.

Cloud computing share distributed resources via the network in the open environment.

It is a virtual pool of computing resources through internet.

Cloud computing provides people the way to share distributed resources and services that belong to different Organizations or sites.

Many companies, such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft and so on, accelerate their paces in developing Cloud Computing systems and enhancing their services to provide for a larger amount of users.

Cloud computing is broken down into three segments: “application” “storage” and “connectivity.” Each segment serves a different purpose and offers different products for businesses and individuals around the world. 

Libraries are using computers for run ning 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.

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.