Cloud Computing and its Applications in Library: A Review

Abstract

Cloud computing have not been a new technology that suddenly appeared on the web but it is a new form of computing. Cloud computing is a kind of computing technology which facilitates in sharing the resources and services over the internet rather than having these services and resources on local servers/ nodes or personal devices. Cloud computing is a kind of computing technology which facilitates in sharing the resources and services over the internet rather than having these services and resources on local servers/ nodes or personal devices. The combination of servers, networks, connection, applications and resources is defined as 'cloud'. Application of cloud computing user would be able to browse a physical shelf of books, CDs or DVDs or choose to take out an item or scan a bar code into his mobile device. All historical and rare documents would be scanned into a comprehensive, easily searchable database and would be accessible to any researcher. Many libraries already have online catalogues and share bibliographic data with OCLC. More frequent online catalogues are linked to consortium that share resources. The combination of servers, networks, connection, applications and resources is defined as 'cloud'. This article describes models of Cloud computing, applications in library, advantages, disadvantages of cloud computing in library and its barriers.