Practical Approaches to Practical Approaches to the Cloud in YOUR Librarythe Cloud in YOUR Library

#libcloud#libcloud@ecorrado @libacat@ecorrado @libacat

LITA National Forum 2011LITA National Forum 2011St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri

September 30, 2011 September 30, 2011

1

Heather Lea MoulaisonHeather Lea MoulaisonAssistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriSchool of Information Science and School of Information Science and

Learning TechnologiesLearning Technologiesmoulaisonhe@missouri.edumoulaisonhe@missouri.edu

Edward M. CorradoEdward M. CorradoDirector of Library TechnologyDirector of Library Technology

Binghamton University LibrariesBinghamton University Librariesecorrado@binghamton.eduecorrado@binghamton.edu

AgendaAgenda• Introduction to cloud computingIntroduction to cloud computing

– DefinitionDefinition– Basic contextBasic context– Service modelsService models– ExamplesExamples

• Cloud computing and librariesCloud computing and libraries– Cloud servicesCloud services– Library systems in the cloudLibrary systems in the cloud

• Advantages and disadvantages with cloud computingAdvantages and disadvantages with cloud computing• Questions about cloud computing in librariesQuestions about cloud computing in libraries

– Data ownershipData ownership– ContractsContracts– Evaluation of servicesEvaluation of services

• Conclusion: Top 10 take-awaysConclusion: Top 10 take-aways• QuestionsQuestions

2#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

What is What is cloud computingcloud computing??

“‘“‘CloudCloud’’ is a metaphor for the internet. is a metaphor for the internet. ‘‘Cloud Cloud computingcomputing’’ is a phrase that is being used today is a phrase that is being used today to describe the act of storing, accessing, and to describe the act of storing, accessing, and sharing data, applications, and computing power sharing data, applications, and computing power in cyberspacein cyberspace”” (Anderson & Rainie, 2010). (Anderson & Rainie, 2010).

3

Discuss Zoomerang #1 after this slideDiscuss Zoomerang #1A after this slide

#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Cloud computing examplesCloud computing examples• IaaS: IaaS:

• Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2)Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2)• Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)

• PaaS: PaaS: • Heroku (Ruby on Rails, PostgresSQL)Heroku (Ruby on Rails, PostgresSQL)• Google App EngineGoogle App Engine

• DaaS*: DaaS*: • Serials Solutions SummonSerials Solutions Summon• Ex Libris Primo CentralEx Libris Primo Central

• SaaS: SaaS: • Microsoft Office 365Microsoft Office 365• Google DocsGoogle Docs

4

Adapted from the Adapted from the NIST Definition of NIST Definition of Cloud Computing (Draft)Cloud Computing (Draft) http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/draftshttp://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts/800-145/Draft-SP-800-145_cloud-/800-145/Draft-SP-800-145_cloud-definition.pdfdefinition.pdf

*DaaS is not included in the NIST *DaaS is not included in the NIST definition.definition.

#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Cloud services for librariesCloud services for libraries

• Document sharing in librariesDocument sharing in libraries– DropBox, Google Docs, Evernote, Sugar SyncDropBox, Google Docs, Evernote, Sugar Sync

• Web conferencing softwareWeb conferencing software– Skype, Adobe ConnectSkype, Adobe Connect

• Web publishingWeb publishing– WordPress, Google SitesWordPress, Google Sites

• Marketing, branding, communicationMarketing, branding, communication– Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, mobile social appsFacebook, Twitter, YouTube, mobile social apps

5#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Library systems in the cloudLibrary systems in the cloud• Integrated library systemsIntegrated library systems

– Koha in the CloudKoha in the Cloud– OCLC WMSOCLC WMS

• Repository softwareRepository software– Archives hosted in the cloudArchives hosted in the cloud– Institutional repositories (bepress Institutional repositories (bepress

DigitalCommons) DigitalCommons) • Discovery systemsDiscovery systems

– Ebsco Discovery ServiceEbsco Discovery Service– Ex Libris Primo CentralEx Libris Primo Central

6

Discuss Zoomerang #2 after this slide

#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Advantages of cloud computingAdvantages of cloud computing• Greater efficiencyGreater efficiency• Increased flexibilityIncreased flexibility• ScalabilityScalability• A way to deal with lack of technical expertiseA way to deal with lack of technical expertise• A way to do something a single library simply A way to do something a single library simply

could not do alone (i.e. bX)could not do alone (i.e. bX)– Aggregation of library-land dataAggregation of library-land data

• Lower computing costs: Lower computing costs: – Often free or low cost solutions are available (i.e. Often free or low cost solutions are available (i.e.

Google Apps for EDU)Google Apps for EDU)• Uptime vs. downtime (cloud may or may not be Uptime vs. downtime (cloud may or may not be

better than local IT)better than local IT)7#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Green cloud considerations• For cloud service providers For cloud service providers

– Tendency to store data in the cheapest location possibleTendency to store data in the cheapest location possible– Meaning these locations are going to be more efficent electricty wiseMeaning these locations are going to be more efficent electricty wise– Often greenestOften greenest (lower energy costs at night, etc) (lower energy costs at night, etc)– Good marketing (i.e. Google)Good marketing (i.e. Google)

• In librariesIn libraries– Remote access to data for librariansRemote access to data for librarians

– Saves on electricity, servers, workstations, and maintenanceSaves on electricity, servers, workstations, and maintenance– Means dumb terminals that aren’t replaced frequently can be Means dumb terminals that aren’t replaced frequently can be

preferred over high-performance individual workstationspreferred over high-performance individual workstations• For patrons, web-based cloud servicesFor patrons, web-based cloud services

– Can be accessed remotely at a convenient timeCan be accessed remotely at a convenient time– Help save on gas /transportation costsHelp save on gas /transportation costs

8#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Some disadvantages of cloud Some disadvantages of cloud computingcomputing

• Security concernsSecurity concerns– How secure is your data in the cloud?How secure is your data in the cloud?– How secure is your data where it is now?How secure is your data where it is now?

• More data breaches locally than in the cloudMore data breaches locally than in the cloud• PrivacyPrivacy

– Facebook is voluntary, Library is notFacebook is voluntary, Library is not– FERPA & HIPPA (US), PIPEDA (Canada)FERPA & HIPPA (US), PIPEDA (Canada)– Where can data legally be stored?Where can data legally be stored?– USA PATRIOT Act and CanadaUSA PATRIOT Act and Canada’’s Anti-Terrorism Act (ACT)s Anti-Terrorism Act (ACT)

• International IssuesInternational Issues– in Australia organizations in Australia organizations ““may not transfer information to somebody in a may not transfer information to somebody in a

foreign country unless the recipient of the information is subject to a law foreign country unless the recipient of the information is subject to a law or binding scheme similar to the National Privacy Principles that apply in or binding scheme similar to the National Privacy Principles that apply in Australia, or another exception such as consent appliesAustralia, or another exception such as consent applies”” (Dawson & Hilton, (Dawson & Hilton, 2010).2010).

• Loss of local controlLoss of local control• Requires constant high-speed Internet accessRequires constant high-speed Internet access

9#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Trust: a dilemma?Trust: a dilemma?• Trust and riskTrust and risk

– Trust must be earnedTrust must be earned• Local employeesLocal employees

– Quing Hu points out Quing Hu points out ““internal computer fraud is a more internal computer fraud is a more significant threat than external hacking” (Iowa State University, significant threat than external hacking” (Iowa State University, 2009)2009)

– Ma.gnolia (improper backups)Ma.gnolia (improper backups)– JournalSpace.com (suspected a disgruntled former employee)JournalSpace.com (suspected a disgruntled former employee)

• Cloud Cloud ““is neither inherently insecure nor secureis neither inherently insecure nor secure”” (Chaput & (Chaput & Ringwood, 2010)Ringwood, 2010)

• Service Level Agreements (SLA)Service Level Agreements (SLA)– Get Get everything everything in writingin writing

10

Discuss Zoomerang #3 after this slide

#libcloud @ecorrado @libcat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Data ownership questionsData ownership questions

• What rights do the library and vendor have to What rights do the library and vendor have to data in the cloud?data in the cloud?

• How do you access data?How do you access data?• How and what format do you get your data How and what format do you get your data

back when a contract ends?back when a contract ends?• What happens to the data should the vendor What happens to the data should the vendor

go out of business?go out of business?

11#libcloud @ecorrado @libcat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

What (else) do you need in a What (else) do you need in a Service Level Agreement (SLA)?Service Level Agreement (SLA)?

• Up-time specifiedUp-time specified– OCLC and Ex Libris try to be at least 99.5%OCLC and Ex Libris try to be at least 99.5%

• Response time/system speed specifiedResponse time/system speed specified• Systems tuning: can cloud-based system be Systems tuning: can cloud-based system be

calibrated to meet local needs?calibrated to meet local needs?• Maintenance schedules specifiedMaintenance schedules specified• Method for contacting provider re: supportMethod for contacting provider re: support• Other locally-determined requirementsOther locally-determined requirements

12#libcloud @ecorrado @libcat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Questions about cloud computing Questions about cloud computing for librariesfor libraries

• Do libraries need the same type of scalability as a Do libraries need the same type of scalability as a retailer that specializes in Halloween costumes?retailer that specializes in Halloween costumes?

• Do vendors from outside the library world understand Do vendors from outside the library world understand library needs?library needs?

• Can we effectively negotiate a contract if we donCan we effectively negotiate a contract if we don’’t have t have the weight (or budget) that AmEx has?the weight (or budget) that AmEx has?

• Are we ok with many (most?) cases of a contract: take Are we ok with many (most?) cases of a contract: take it or leave it?it or leave it?

• Are there bottom line cost savings?Are there bottom line cost savings?• Should we evaluate cloud services in the same way as Should we evaluate cloud services in the same way as

other services?other services?Discuss Zoomerang #4

#libcloud @ecorrado @libcat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

Top 10 things to take away about cloud Top 10 things to take away about cloud computing in the library contextcomputing in the library context

1.1. Understand Understand what what you are moving to the cloudyou are moving to the cloud2.2. Separate fact from hype. Separate fact from hype. 3.3. Understand local legal requirements (national/state, institutional, etc.)Understand local legal requirements (national/state, institutional, etc.)4.4. Understand the costs of moving to the cloudUnderstand the costs of moving to the cloud5.5. Find a cloud provider you trustFind a cloud provider you trust6.6. Articulate your requirements clearlyArticulate your requirements clearly7.7. Understand your SLAUnderstand your SLA8.8. Get a lawyer involvedGet a lawyer involved9.9. Have a plan for freed resources (HR and others)Have a plan for freed resources (HR and others)10.10. Have an exit strategyHave an exit strategy

14#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011

QuestionsQuestionsEdward M. CorradoEdward M. Corrado

ecorrado@binghamton.eduecorrado@binghamton.eduHeather Lea MoulaisonHeather Lea Moulaison

moulaisonhe@missouri.edumoulaisonhe@missouri.edu

15

Discuss Zoomerang #5 and

#libcloud @ecorrado @libacat Corrado & Moulaison, LITA 2011