Cloud Computing in Libraries: Meaning, Applications, Benefits, Challenges, and Future Prospects
. Introduction Libraries have long depended on technology to improve the way information is organized, preserved, and made available to users. From traditional card catalogues to computerized library systems, each technological development has changed how libraries manage their collections and deliver services. In recent years, one of the most significant developments has been the adoption of cloud computing. The growth of digital information has created new demands for libraries. Modern libraries manage not only printed books and journals but also electronic books, online databases, institutional repositories, research data, multimedia collections, and other digital resources. Managing these resources effectively requires reliable computing infrastructure, adequate storage capacity, secure networks, and systems that can be accessed by authorized users when needed. For many institutions, maintaining all of this infrastructure locally can be expensive and technically demanding. Cl...