Making the Most of the Cloud: How to Choose and Implement the Best Services for Your Library

by Robin Hastings

Overview

Cloud computing can be confusing - the number and types of services that are available through “the cloud” are growing by the day. Making the Most of the Cloud: How to Choose and Implement the Best Services for Your Library takes you through some of the more popular cloud services in libraries and breaks down what you need to know to pick the best one for your library.

Some of the cloud services covered are:

• Email
• Integrated Library Systems (ILS)
• Backups
• Project Management
• Graphics Software
• and much more...

With chapters covering cloud topics from the definition of a “cloud” to security in the cloud, this book will be beneficial for any library which is thinking of moving their services outside their organization.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810891098
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/26/2013
Pages:	106
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Robin Hastings is the Director of Technology Services at the Northeast Kansas Library System in Lawrence, Kansas. In that capacity, she consults with librarians in the Northeast part of the state about technology in their libraries and manages a technical support staff and a system administrator who help their libraries achieve their technology goals. She presents and writes on mashups, cloud computing, Drupal, and project management as well as many other topics.

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter 1 - Definitions and Limits of Cloud Computing
Chapter 2 - Why Use the Cloud
Chapter 3 - ILS in the Cloud
Hosted Link Resolvers
Hosted Proxy Servers
Chapter 4 - Web Hosting
Web Content Filtering
Video Hosting
Chapter 5 - Backups
Chapter 6 – Software as a Services (SaaS)
iEmployee and other HR services
Desk stats for Reference
Chapter 7 - Manage Computers from the Cloud
File storage
Time and Management software
Chapter 8 - Email
Chapter 9 - Project Management
Chapter 10 - Social Media
Chapter 11 - Graphics
Chapter 12 - Security
Chapter 13 - Training
Chapter 14 - Afterword and Resources

Editorial Reviews

Written by the director of technology services at the Northeast Kansas Library System in Lawrence, Kansas, this book takes the reader through the most popular cloud services being used in libraries and breaks them down so that the user can know how to pick the best one for their particular library’s needs. This is a fast-changing industry right now with new types of services being added to the cloud daily. While the overview of services will be useful to those new to using cloud technology in the library, much of the information in this volume may become dated quickly due to the ever-changing industry. Arranged into chapters that build upon each other, this volume discusses the use of the cloud in libraries, Web hosting in the cloud, cloud backups, managing computers from the cloud, project management, social media, security, and training. The author does a good job at demystifying the concept of the cloud and at helping the reader make a more informed decision for their library.

American Reference Books Annual

Robin Hastings brilliantly demystifies and explains cloud concepts in plain English so that all readers can make informed decisions about cloud software access, services, and security. Her book covers computer management and security, software, data storage, email management, and staff training. By dividing the book into areas of specific interest within libraries, Robin allow her readers the opportunity to either get detailed information on a critical area of need or a thorough overview of cloud services and practical cloud management best practices. Making the Most of the Cloud: How to Choose and Implement the Best Services for Your Library should be required reading for all library staff, with the IT and administrative level staff at the top of the request list.

Maurice Coleman

Robin Hastings knows cloud technologies. Her in-depth knowledge of how to provide services and infrastructure using these tools is particularly relevant for small, resource thin libraries. Robin writes in clear, easy to understand language, demystifying and making plain the scariest of technological concepts. Equipped with this book, libraries will be able to propel themselves into the 21st century services users and staff expect with little cost and bloodshed. Making the Most of the Cloud is a must have for small libraries. Make sure to put this in your toolkit!

Jezmynne Dene

Robin Hastings has saved me a difficult conversation! Or at least made that conversation a LOT easier. Explaining the ‘Cloud’ and ‘SaaS’ (Software as a Service) can be a challenge – Robin gives you the tools to make those conversations flow, and make your decisions cogently. She has brought together the many options, issues, questions and decisions that surround turning to the Cloud for library solutions. Whether your focus is infrastructure systems like ILS in the Cloud or Web Hosting, or more end user-focused options like web storage for video content or cloud storage for patron files, Robin lays them out clearly and prepares you for any conversation with your organization’s stakeholders about these new services. One pleasant surprise was a chapter on Project Management in the Cloud. Options, basics of pricing, what the services can and cannot do – this is all very valuable and tough to piece together on your own. Her chapter on Social Media alerting services had me instantly browsing the web for a better solution than what I’d been using. A great resource for any library looking to the Cloud for solutions.

Louis Alcorn