Collection Management in the Cloud: A Guide for Using Cloud Computing Technologies in Libraries: LITA Guides Kayla Kipps Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Collection Management in the Cloud

A Guide for Using Cloud Computing Technologies in Libraries

Collection Management in the Cloud

A Guide for Using Cloud Computing Technologies in Libraries

Description

As remote work has become routine, cloud-based technology tools have become increasingly necessary to communicate with other library staff and with faculty and staff to continue providing seamless and uninterrupted access to library resources and collections for our campus community.

Cloud-based technology tools such as Google Forms and Google Sheets are used to gather faculty requests for collection development, tools such as Tableau are used to illustrate material budget balances, and platforms such as Trello have been adopted to track subscription renewal cycles and manage other projects.
This guide discusses the benefits of using these powerful cloud-based and little to no additional cost technology tools through the lens of a particular area in librarianship such as documentation, data and project management, communication, data storage, and data visualization. While the real-world examples provided throughout focus on technical services staff operations, specifically acquisitions and electronic collection management, each tool’s features and use cases are transferable among all areas of librarianship.

This guide provides insights into how collaborative, dynamic, and accessible these cloud-based solutions are for a technologically shifting workplace as well as considers the challenges to adopting cloud-based solutions such as administrative buy-in, aversion to change, and steeper learning curves as well.
Readers will gain practical experiential examples that have been instrumental in creating efficiencies in collection management workflows for technical services staff. The use cases illustrated exemplify enhancements that librarians can incorporate into their own collection management practices to further engage with their colleagues, their patrons, and their larger communities more effectively and efficiently.

Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
1: Data Storage in the Cloud
Cloud StorageCloud Storage in LibrariesMicrosoft OneDriveGoogle DriveDropbox: An Alternative to OneDrive and Google DriveSummary2: Documentation in the Cloud
Cloud DocumentationDocumentation in LibrariesGoogle DocsMicrosoft 365Dropbox Paper: An Alternative to Google Docs, Word, and OneNoteSummary3: Data Management in the Cloud
Data Management in LibrariesCloud Data ManagementAirtableGoogle Sheets for Data ManagementGoogle Forms: An Alternative to Airtable and Google SheetsSummary4: Data Visualization in the Cloud
Data Visualization in LibrariesCloud Data VisualizationTableauGoogle Sheets for Data VisualizationLibInsight: An Alternative to Tableau and Google SheetsSummary5: Project Management in the Cloud
Project Management in LibrariesCloud Tools for Project ManagementTrello Microsoft TeamsAsana® Collaboration Work Management Platform: An Alternative to Trello and Microsoft TeamsSummary6: Communication in the Cloud
Cloud CommunicationSlack® Collaboration Software for Informal CommunicationZoom for Formal CommunicationMicrosoft Teams: An Alternative to Slack Collaboration Software and ZoomSummary7: Library Management Systems in the Cloud
Cloud-Based Library Management SystemsEx Libris AlmaKoha Library SoftwareFOLIO: An Alternative to Ex Libris Alma and Koha Library SoftwareFrom Millennium to Alma: One Library’s Migration ExperienceSummary8: Looking Ahead at Using Cloud-Based Tools in Libraries
Glossary of Terms
Bibliography
About the Authors

Product details

Published	11 Mar 2022
Format	Hardback
Edition	1st
Extent	180
ISBN	9781538151884
Imprint	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Illustrations	6 b/w photos
Dimensions	237 x 163 mm
Series	LITA Guides
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Cloud computing technologies have rapidly expanded in the 21st century. In this detailed work, collection development librarian Kipps and electronic resources and serials librarian Jones explore cloud computing and its benefits for collection management librarians…. In evaluating those tools most useful for librarians, the authors consider features such as versatility, functionality, cost, and security. They conclude this work with a chapter considering the future of cloud computing in libraries, a glossary of terms, and a bibliography. With remote work becoming more common, this practical and well-organized work is timely and recommended for librarians wishing to enhance their collection management practices.

Library Journal
Recent practices in online remote workplace environments have benefited from cloud computing technologies. Two collection management scholars at the College of Charleston explore the possible incorporation of cloud technology tools into library management using a collection lens…. The writing is clear and detailed, reflecting the authors' well-honed experiences. Librarians will find this practical book a good resource when considering how to incorporate cloud computer technologies effectively, even beyond collection development.

Booklist
Collection Management in the Cloud provides a practical, budget-minded approach to using cloud-based tools for collection management workflows. Kipps and Jones review several of these tools, including instructions for set up, details on how to use in the library, and concerns such as cost and security, in easy-to-understand language.

Leah Hinds, executive director, Charleston Hub (Home of the Charleston Conference and Against the Grain)
An interesting and engaging overview of essential tools and strategies for 21st century librarians.

Tim Bucknall, founder of the Carolina Consortium
Any collections or electronic resources manager will benefit from the in-depth analysis of the tools and services described in this book. Its publication is especially timely given the sudden and recent increase in remote work.

Leslie O'Brien, director of Collections and Technical Services, Virginia Tech, University Libraries
This incredibly informative resource fills a critical void regarding the use of cloud-based technologies in libraries. Not only does the book provide a broad overview of available technologies, but it includes detailed explorations of specific products and software and the ways in which those tools impact library workflows and processes.

Christopher D. Vidas, electronic resources librarian, acting head of collection management, Clemson University, Library Depot