Collection Management in the Cloud
A Guide for Using Cloud Computing Technologies in Libraries
Kayla Kipps author Allison Kaiser Jones author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:11th Mar '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
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.
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
Kipps and Jones compiled a helpful overview of various cloud technology tools that could benefit collection management librarians in their work. The authors reviewed products based on their functionality, data security, and affordability. Many "freemium" products offer tiered options, and often the basic free plans are sufficient. This book covers cloud-based tools for data storage, documentation, data management, visualization, project management, communication, and library management systems. Many readers will be familiar with such resources as Google Drive, but some resources, e.g., Airtable, are more novel. The authors parsing of the unique features of products currently available will assist librarians in collaborating more effectively, especially now that remote work is more prevalent. Limitations of the technology are defined, and security verifications are listed for each platform and provide useful information for those with privacy concerns. Any infrastructure, platform, or service should improve workflows. This book is recommended for graduate students, professionals. * Choice Reviews *
The aim of this book is assisting collection management librarians to incorporate cloud technology tools into their workflows, along with providing concrete examples and actual scenarios. Functionality, applicability, and limitations are also discussed as various cloud-based tools are featured. The authors provide lots of details related to the various applications and functionality of each cloud-based tool, along with numerous tables, charts, figures, and screenshots. I found this book highly valuable as a one-source reference on cloud-based tools available for use in collection management activities, and highly recommend it. * Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship *
From my perspective, this book provides a plethora of timely information, written in an easy to understand writing style, and is set up in such a way that a reader could easily read cover to cover, or just specific chapters of interest for those already using some of these applications. In general, this book could be useful for students, newer collection management and technical services professionals, or those looking
to move toward using cloud-based tools, though many of the applications discussed could be beneficial to most library professionals regardless of department.
ISBN: 9781538151891
Dimensions: 230mm x 154mm x 12mm
Weight: 290g
180 pages