A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF CLOUD COMPUTING MODELS FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS

Cloud computing has transformed academic libraries by enhancing digital resource management, improving service efficiency, and reducing infrastructure costs. This study explores the impact of cloud-based solutions in library environments, focusing on their economic value and operational benefits. Libraries leveraging cloud technology benefit from flexible storage (Liang Wu et al., 2022), automated administrative processes (Haber et al., 2022), and AI-driven services like chatbots for user assistance (Karim et al., 2022; Zeng & Qi, 2021). Cloud-based infrastructure fosters scalability, cost-effectiveness (Agbaje et al., 2022; Alaskar et al., 2022), and improved security measures (He & Sun, 2022), enabling libraries to safeguard digital assets and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (Sivankalai, 2021). This study provides a comprehensive analysis of cloud computing models—Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS)—and their role in academic institutions (Ali, 2022; Qi & Huang, 2022). It also highlights the growing significance of distributed cloud architecture in libraries, particularly for policy-controlled digital storage (Pham et al., 2022). Our research work illustrates the successful implementation of a private cloud using KOHA, an open-source Integrated Library Management System (ILMS), enhancing digital accessibility and resource sharing (Sivankalai & Chellappandi, 2021). By analyzing economic, technical, and practical aspects, this paper provides insights into how cloud computing fosters sustainable library services while ensuring global accessibility, cost reduction, and enhanced digital preservation (Hu, 2022). The findings highlight the transformative role of cloud computing in shaping the future of academic libraries, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation to emerging technologies.