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Cloud Computing for Information Science

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Cloud Computing for Information Sciences

This guide introduces the core concepts, service and deployment models, and key literature on cloud computing, with a focus on its growing role in libraries, archives, and information science practice. Use it to build foundational knowledge before diving into course readings or research.

New to cloud computing? Start with the short videos below, then work through the concept cards and readings. Reach out to your subject librarian at any point if you get stuck.

Cloud Computing in 6 Minutes — Simplilearn

Cloud Computing Explained: The Most Important Concepts to Know

Core Concepts

Every information professional working with cloud-based systems should be comfortable with these foundational ideas:

Essential CharacteristicsOn-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service — the five traits NIST uses to define cloud computing.
Service ModelsInfrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) — each shifting a different layer of responsibility to the provider.
Deployment ModelsPublic, private, community, and hybrid clouds differ in who owns, manages, and can access the underlying infrastructure.
Choosing a ProviderCompare major providers — AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud — on cost, compliance, data residency, and support for library systems.

Related terms you’ll encounter throughout the literature:

  • Virtualization and containerization (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Serverless computing and Function-as-a-Service (FaaS)
  • Data sovereignty, residency, and cross-border storage regulations
  • Vendor lock-in and interoperability standards
  • Cloud cost models: pay-as-you-go, reserved, and spot pricing

For the authoritative definition used across almost all academic literature, read the NIST Special Publication 800-145: The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing (Mell & Grance, 2011) — just a few pages and worth citing directly in assignments.

Cloud Computing in Libraries & Information Science

Beyond the general IT concepts, these are the applications and issues most relevant to LIS practice and research:

Digital Libraries & RepositoriesInstitutional repositories, digital collections, and library management systems increasingly run on cloud-hosted infrastructure rather than local servers.
Security & Patron PrivacyStoring circulation and patron data off-premises raises questions of confidentiality, vendor access, and compliance with privacy policies and law.
Digital PreservationCloud storage tiers (e.g. Amazon S3 and Glacier) are widely used for long-term preservation, backup redundancy, and disaster recovery of archival content.
Big Data & AnalyticsCloud-scale computing enables large-scale text mining, bibliometrics, and analysis of usage data that would be impractical on local hardware.
Resource Sharing & Interlibrary SystemsShared cloud infrastructure supports consortial catalogs, cross-institution resource sharing, and integration with VPNs and shared library management systems.
Adoption Case StudiesResearch on why libraries do or don’t adopt cloud services spans university, public, and medical library contexts worldwide, from Nigeria to Kenya to the US.

Before recommending or adopting a cloud service for library data, check your institution’s data governance policy. Vendor contracts should address data ownership, export/exit terms, and where patron data is physically stored.

Key Readings

Start with these to ground your understanding before searching the databases below:

Databases & Journals to Search

For peer-reviewed articles and conference papers on cloud computing (both technical and LIS-focused), search these:

  • ACM Digital Library — core computer science database; strong for technical cloud architecture papers.
  • IEEE Xplore — conference proceedings and standards, including the IEEE International Conference on Cloud Computing.
  • Library Hi Tech (Emerald) — the leading LIS journal for library technology adoption studies, including cloud computing.
  • Search your library catalog and subscribed databases for: “cloud computing” AND libraries, “cloud computing” AND “digital preservation”, or SaaS AND “library management system”.

Search Library Databases

Need Help With Your Cloud Computing Research?

Your subject librarian can help you find sources, refine a research question, or navigate database access. We typically respond within one business day.

Ask a Librarian

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