Cloud computing in libraries: Its needs, applications, issues and best practices

Cloud computing is being used in every domain like business, industries, corporate sectors. Through cloud computing one can access hardware and software promptly through internet. Application of cloud computing in libraries is a relatively new area as compared to its applications in business and corporate sector. Libraries all over the world are moving towards cloud computing implementation to use the features and services of it to make their infrastructures and services better. This article discusses the basics of cloud computing along with its characteristics, types, advantages, needs and applications in field of libraries. Cloud computing is not the panacea of everything. There are some drawbacks also associated with it. This article discusses both the positive and negative aspect of cloud computing and it also tells the best practices for the implementation in the library environment to get the maximum benefit of it.