No Fog In Sight: Cloud Computing Within The Library World

Before we begin today's topic, Lieutenant Horatio Caine, king of one-liners, has a few choice words to say on this matter:

Awful puns aside, cloud-based programs are very handy for libraries. Perhaps this post can clear up some of the fog surrounding cloud computing and its relation to libraries.

All right, all right, I'll stop with the bad jokes. 

To put it simply, cloud-based services store information on the Internet without having to rely on your hard drive.

I suspect that over 90% of you have used cloud-based services, even without realizing it.

For example, I use cloud-based programs very frequently, as I constantly check my Yahoo Mail for important updates (and not-so-important matters). 

Of course, cloud computing doesn't only extend to email systems. It's everywhere you look, and it's here to stay for a while: in fact, cloud computing makes over $100 billion each year (http://247wallst.com/technology-3/2015/03/07/the-270-billon-cloud-computing-market/).

Cloud storage applications such as Google Drive, Thinkfree, and Dropbox can hold all of your documents without having to free up space on your hard drive. 

Cloud technology also makes image-editing websites (such as Pixlr), document-editing programs, and video-sharing services a breeze to use.

And until today, I didn't realize that cloud printing was a major thing. As is usually the case, I'm wrong. The market has exploded with cloud printing technology, with heavyweights like Kodak Cloud Print and HP Eprint front-running everything. It's amazing how you can print over miles away from your house by using these services. 

Anyway, you might be wondering how cloud computing relates to libraries. 

It can be explained in this way: the coming "extinction" of traditional integrated library systems (ILS). 

Using cloud-based platforms in replacement of ILS has been a controversial topic within the library world. 

A lot of us can't deny that cloud computing has disadvantages. Libraries that use lots of cloud computing programs have to rely on the Internet, which is prone to crashing. 

One of the biggest problems, however, is the area of privacy. 

Although vendors frequently claim that they do not access data other than to smooth operations, terms of service can vary from program to program. 

As an example, while Microsoft's Skydrive has the same rights and limitations as Google Drive, other services amp up censorship a bit more. Apple iCloud has the right to delete "unacceptable" material without any prior warning. 

The lack of consistency between companies' terms of services can be very problematic for library staff. 

There is also an issue when it comes to dealing with law enforcement and government bodies. 

Services frequently tote that they won't share data unless required by law, but usually don't tell its users when it does so. This allows some secrecy to law-enforcement actions, which privacy-advocates are against. 

While these are still real issues, I believe that storing data onto sites that allow users the right to both encryption and decryption can solve most problems. 

We also can't forget some of the benefits of cloud computing: free upgrades, automatic-backup, and cheap storage space are among many reasons to consider cloud services. 

Of course, these types of products won't work for every library. A company discontinuing its product does unfortunately happen, so libraries should take caution when choosing cloud-based services. While I believe that ILS still has their own positives, it isn't wrong for a library to try out some cloud-based services. 

In summary, libraries just need to make sure that there are no potential storms in the future (sorry, I couldn't resist any longer).