Cloud-Based Computing Systems: Benefits for Future Use inLibrary and Information Science

Abstract

The rapid digitization of scholarly communication, the exponential growth of born-digital collections,
and the escalating demands for remote access have rendered traditional on-premise library
infrastructure increasingly untenable. Cloud computing has emerged as a transformative paradigm
within Library and Information Science (LIS), promising scalable storage, cost efficiency, enhanced
accessibility, and seamless integration with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and
big data analytics. However, the discourse surrounding cloud adoption in libraries remains
fragmented, oscillating between uncritical technological optimism and cautious apprehension
regarding data security, privacy, and organizational readiness. This paper presents a systematic review
and critical synthesis of recent scholarly literature to examine the evidenced benefits of cloud-based
computing systems for future LIS practice, while simultaneously interrogating the structural,
economic, and epistemological challenges that impede equitable adoption. Drawing upon empirical
studies from diverse geographic contexts, the analysis reveals that while cloud computing offers
demonstrable advantages in operational efficiency, digital preservation, and collaborative resource
sharing, its implementation is neither universal nor inevitable. Significant barriers persist, particularly
in developing economies, where inadequate internet infrastructure, financial constraints, policy
vacuums, and staff resistance create a digital divide within the global library community. The paper
argues that the future of LIS lies not in the passive adoption of cloud infrastructure, but in the
development of a critical cloud literacy that balances technological capability with ethical
stewardship, data sovereignty, and user-centric governance. The findings suggest that cloud
computing should be understood as an enabling infrastructure rather than a panacea, requiring
strategic alignment with institutional missions, robust policy frameworks, and sustained investment in
human capital. Future research must move beyond descriptive case studies toward longitudinal,
evidence-based assessments of cost-benefit ratios, user experience, and the political economy of cloud
service provision in academic and public libraries.