University of Nebraska - Lincoln

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Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal) Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1-18-2021

Awareness and Adoption of Cloud Computing in Nigerian

Libraries: An Aid to Library Services
Aishatu Nya Zubairu Miss
Edeleke University Ede, Osun State, Nigeria, [email protected]

John Olugbenga Akiola Mr

Adeleke University Ede, Osun State, Nigeria, [email protected]

Saheed Abiola Hamzat Ph.D

Adeleke University Ede, Osun State, Nigeria, [email protected]

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Zubairu, Aishatu Nya Miss; Akiola, John Olugbenga Mr; and Hamzat, Saheed Abiola Ph.D, "Awareness and
Adoption of Cloud Computing in Nigerian Libraries: An Aid to Library Services" (2021). Library Philosophy
and Practice (e-journal). 4973.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4973
Introduction
Technological innovations are rapidly evolving and individuals are doing their best to catch up
with this speedy evolution that is very visible in all spheres of human endeavors. In today’s
Information and Communication Technological (ICT) era, new technologies are now being viewed
as an indispensable tool that can improve most organizational processes swiftly. According to
Hussin and Rohani (2015), ‘when an organization adopts new technologies, they gain competitive
advantage and as well become more efficient and productive’ because of the overwhelming
competition and changing corporate environment, Organizations keep striving to adopt new
technologies to improve their commercial maneuvers and cloud computing is not an exception.
Cloud computing is a new technology of computing services offered over the internet. It provides
a shared pool of resources that helps people to access their personal or specialized corporate use
of the information such as emails services, social networking, file storage, and sharing, online
image storage, etc theses are all provided by cloud computing service providers such Amazon,
Google, Microsoft, Oracle. etc.
Information and communication Technological advancements have always had significant effects
on educational systems, this is as the result of the need to deliver efficient services from little
resources that have overwhelmed learning institutions. However, when resources are shared
among learning institutions, it will enable the institutions to concentrate more on research work
and core academic activities. (Udenor, Aneke & Obillo, 2018). The library and information science
profession are daily facing challenges due to the application of new technologies, new concepts
are being added to suit the present information managements. Libraries become automated and
more efforts are being made towards virtual and now cloud computing. The latest technology
trends in Libraries and information centers is the use of cloud computing which has been proven
helpful for achieving the economy in a Library function. It is very obvious now that cloud-based
services have matured and become prevalent, thereby offering a range of new technology tools for
libraries. Cloud computing technologies, present librarians with varying technology proficiencies
and the ability to access and use technologies and related services that might otherwise be beyond
their reach, as cloud computing becomes more of a mainstay, many librarians are considering a
new way to adopt these third-party tools in their work. According to Sultan (2010), Cloud
Computing has become an important tool in the world of information technology. as a result of its
capability in proving solutions to several IT issues also, it’s cheaper with the limitless storage
facility, A pool of easily usable and accessible virtualized resources (such as hardware,
development platforms, and/or services).
These resources are dynamically reconfigured to fit in a variable load (scale), that can enable
optimum resource utilization. The infrastructure provider offers guarantees utilizing customized
SLAs and the subscription is by the pay-per-use model (Vaquero, Rodero–Merino, Caceres, &
Lindner, 2009). Cloud Computing can be explained in two parts: First Naone, (2007) opined that
is an act of using a web browser on the internet to dynamically allocate or deallocate the access of
the remote computing resources based on the users’ demands, and the second part refers to paying
for the real use of the computing resources and facilities” (Hoover & Martin 2008). Yatin, Alias,
Awang, and Burhanud-din (2018) reiterate that Cloud computing provides almost all technological
facilities needed in organizations at the cost of very less-skilled personnel and computing devices.
Cloud computing has been further defined by Quddusi (2014) as the technology that uses the
internet or network as central remote servers to maintain the data and applications where the
installation is not necessary to use any applications and only require internet access to access their
files. Cloud computing, is “a type of parallel and distributed system consisting of a collection of
interconnected and virtualized computers that are dynamically provisioned and present as one or

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more unified computing resources based on service-level agreements established through
negotiation between a service provider and customer (Buyya, Yeo, & Venugopal, 2009)
According to Sahu (2016), Cloud computing is a type of computing that relies on sharing
computing resources rather than having local servers or personal devices to handle applications.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has given a concrete definition of
cloud computing as “a model that enables ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a
shared pool of configurable computing resources such as networks, servers, storage, applications,
and services that can be swiftly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or
service provider interaction”. While to Qusay (2011), is “a type of Internet-based computing that
provides shared computer processing resources, data to computers and other devices on-demand
instead”. More so, some Libraries uses Integrated Library Management Software (ILMS), in their
service delivery, and mostly maintained by library staff, his /her responsible involves hardware
maintenance, software and backups /upgrade when a new version of such software is available.
Library professionals in most cases may not have the required knowledge in maintaining servers
they, therefore, find it difficult to undertake some of these activities without the support of IT
experts. However, with cloud computing the reverse is the case, as the cloud service provider takes
responsibility and effectively handles issues related to backups, upgrades, as well as server-related
hitches.
In this technological era, libraries are noted for innovative service provision. Most of their service
operation is depending on computer-generated infrastructures. As learning is now relatively
virtual. Hence most of the resources are electronic and web-based. However, some works of the
literature suggest that there are challenges still facing libraries although most of these libraries are
automated. In most cases, the library frequently searches for low cost and best options that may
enable them to store and provide an efficient services, however, with the automation of these
libraries, most of its services have not been effectively served. Under such conditions, cloud
computing may be a way out of all the ebbs of the information technology, with these challenges,
libraries can take advantage of cloud computing to get out of storage challages and technology
problems by focusing on the advantages that cloud computing have to offer. Consequently, to
provide uninterrupted services to its users, the library needs to be aware, secure, and adopt a
platform where access must be unrestricted and not location-specific. Therefore, this study seeks
to examine the awareness and adoption of Cloud computing in Nigerian libraries.
Objectives of the Study
The study covers awareness and adoption of cloud computing in Nigerian libraries. The specific
objectives are to:
1. find out the level of awareness of cloud computing among library personnel;
2. determine the purpose of using cloud computing services by library personnel;
3. ascertain the cloud-based library services offered by library personnel; and
4. identify the areas of adoption of cloud computing.
Research questions
1. What is the level of awareness of cloud computing among library personnel?
2. What are the purposes of using cloud computing services by library personnel?
3. What are the cloud-based library services offered by library personnel?
4. What areas have cloud computing been adopted?

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Literature Review
Concept of cloud computing
Cloud computing is now being used by most organizations, its application includes, data backup
in a case of disaster recovery, software development, and big data analytics. Cloud computing is
now being adopted by various professions as well such as health where it is used to develop
personalized treatments for patients also financial services companies are using the cloud to sway
real-time fraud detection and prevention more so, Video game producers are not left out as they
use the cloud to deliver online games to limitless players. The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) has identified five essential characteristics of cloud computing: “on-demand
service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service”. Cloud
services exhibit five essential characteristics that demonstrate their relation to, and differences
from, traditional computing approaches:
On-demand self-service: this those not require human interaction with a service provider, a
customer can singly serve itself computing capabilities like server time and network storage as
needed automatically. Secondly, in Broad network access, capabilities are made offered over the
network and accessed via standard mechanisms that stimulate use by heterogeneous client
platforms, thirdly Resource pooling is a situation where computing resources are pooled to serve
multiple consumers with the aid of multitenant model, with diverse physical and virtual resources
which are dynamically assigned to suit the demand of the consumer., fourthly in rapid elasticity,
capabilities are unlimited on rapid elasticity, it can be provisioned rapidly and quickly and as well
as automatically scale out and in and as well can be purchased in any quantity at any given time,
lastly, on measured service, the provision of services is being monitored for the benefit of the user
and consumers, it also automatically controls resource usage by leveraging a metering capability.

Cloud computing service models

Choosing a cloud service provider gives users more or less control over their cloud depending on
the type. However, when choosing a provider, it is very essential to compare the intent of use. The
need will vary depending on what one needs it for, either in libraries, for business, for health
services, or personnel benefits as all these needs and purposes require different cloud types and
services. Cloud service models are in three categories that one can subscribe to Software as a
Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). It has been
detailed by several scholars as they pointed out its usefulness. Such as (Mell & Gance 2011,
Swapna & Biradar, 2017, Dhaka 2017, Neethus & Vanaja 2017, (Makori 2016; Ireno, Tijani &
Bakare 2018; Chudasman, Bhatt, & Trivedi ,2019). These three types differ in the level of control
that one has over its contents, and the specific functions deliver by the service providers.
Software as a Service (SaaS): services are delivered to users from any online devices. Installing,
upgrading and maintenance are the sole responsibilities of the service provider two packages are
made available free and also subscribers benefit from low costs. The free one’s web 2.0
applications, Skype, Hotmail, and Google Apps, while most business-oriented SaaS, such as
SalesForce, are leased on a subscription basis. On the subscription, level access is available 24/7.
Platform as a Service (PaaS): These services provide computing platforms with supplies tools to
enable companies to build, test, and deploy Web-based applications. Infrastructure as a Service
(IaaS)/ or Hardware as a Service. Amazon’s Web Services is one of the leads in this area it involves

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both storage services and computing power. Amazon’s Web Services offers two main products
including the Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), that offers computing resources, and the Simple
Storage Service (S3) for data storage.

Cloud Computing Deployment Models

National Institute of Standard Technology (NIST) explained to cloud deployment models as
follows:
Private cloud: the private cloud infrastructure is usually operated for a specific organization; the
infrastructure may exist on-premise or off-premise. The organization can choose to manage it by
itself or by a third party. Although on-premise infrastructure is usually expensive but secured
(Balan, Gupta, Kanal, Singh, & Bhanumurthy, 2014). Community cloud: community
infrastructure is shared between organizations, that have similar interests, shared concerns in
mission, security requirements, and policy. It may be managed by the organizations or a third party
and may exist on-premise or off-premise. (Dillon, Wu, & Chang, 2010). Public cloud: This is a
type of infrastructure in which the computing infrastructure is run, and situated within the sites of
the host company’s data centers and not in the customers’ premises. That is, it is an off-premise
arrangement from which services are provided. The physical infrastructure is not being controlled
by the subscriber. The cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large
industry group and is owned by the service provider. This type of cloud uses a shared infrastructure
pool from which many companies and institutions that need their services share the same
infrastructure to run their services. The access is without any geographical location just with
internet connectivity. Hybrid cloud: Hybrid cloud is a combination of private, community, or
public. The cloud infrastructure of the private, community and public are unique entities but bound
together by standardized technology that enables data and application portability for transitive
information exchange. They use standard methodologies regardless of ownership or location.
In establishing the relevance of cloud computing in academic libraries, studies such as Adegbilero-
Iwari and Hamzat (2017) reviewed the prospect of cloud computing technology in Nigerian
academic libraries. They proposed the Library Service Platform (LSP) as the most important gate-
way for implementing this technology in Nigeria. The study recommended that for successful
adoption of LSP in academic libraries in Nigeria, library authority must form the research team for
LSP, assess the library workflow, review the current process and apply innovation and technology
in library operations and explore open sources tools for maximum utilization of this technology
for the betterment of academic libraries.
Similarly, Arpaci (2017), studied the antecedents and consequences of adopting cloud computing
education to achieve knowledge management using the technology acceptance model (TAM). His
study was carried out on undergraduate students in a Turkish university. Cloud computing
adoption can be promoted if educational institutions can be increasing the awareness of knowledge
management. On the contrary, Raed, Fash, and Chang (2015). Study on the migration of cloud
services and deliveries to higher education revealed that the major challenges affecting the
adoption of cloud in these universities under study include data security, lock-in, privacy issues,
regulatory compliance, data insecurity, Pillai and Seena (2018) surveyed the application and
awareness of cloud computing technology at Kerala University. Their findings revealed that
42.16% of library staff have less idea about cloud technology, this is to say the majority of them
are not aware of cloud service modules although the majority of these professionals used Google

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applications in their daily tasks. Therefore, the study recommends an urgent need for the library
staff understudy to be trained and informed about cloud computing technology
Enefu, Gbaje, and Aduku (2015) investigated the basis for the implementation of cloud computing
for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) library services. Their findings revealed the
library provides services using various networks. Although they used cloud computing in
providing services which do not have a wide coverage as some student is left out. they
recommended their library need to provide services through Wide Area Network (WAN) that can
provide wide coverage to the student also they suggested a hybrid cloud deployment model
Similarly, Wada (2018) carried out a study on “cloud computing implementations in libraries “ he
stated that implementing cloud computing in libraries will significantly reduce the cost of
maintaining systems, save energy and expose library to multi-variant information resources and as
well for better optimization of library services, he furthered that digital resources, internet service,
thin-client architecture, wireless access point and digital librarian are the major prerequisites for
cloud computing deployment. A study by Yuvaraj, (2015). “On implementing and sustaining
cloud technology at Banaras Hindu University Library (BHUL)”. revealed that the library is
providing valued-added cloud-based library services to its users and as well fully prepared to
clamps any challenges that may surface towards cloud computing in the university library. This
optimistic attitude was confirmed in a study by According to Kaushik and Kumar (2015), the idea
of cloud computing is based on a very fundamental principle of reusability of IT capabilities.
Cloud computing broaden horizons across organizational boundaries compared to automatic, grid,
utility, and distributed computing.
However, some country's economic situation is obstacles inhibiting libraries and information
center adoption to clouds, according to Makori (2016), library and information centers in Kenya
faced abundant operation needs due to sff economic situations. he also recommended that cloud
computing is progressively thrust as the best means to handle and support the delivery of services
in the library and information centers. According to Nag and Nikam (2016), Libraries are now
loaded with various expenses. On the other hand, with cloud computing, there is little or nothing
to finance. “Pay-as-you-go” & “Subscription” methods are two modes of payment in cloud
computing. With it, there is no gainsaying that cloud computing will solve storage issues for
libraries. In the same vein, Sahu (2015) reiterates that cloud computing has the tendencies of
transforming the way services are delivered given libraries a better prospect to extend their impact.
Thus, with cloud computing, the cost of computation, hosting, storage, and delivery of services is
meaningfully less.
An earlier study by Abdulsalam and Fatima,( 2011) explored the applications of cloud computing
in higher education in Nigeria, Their study affirmed that cloud computing has great potentials in
improving the ICT applications and infrastructure at higher levels of education in higher
institutions in Nigeria, although Their study identified some cogent factors that have militated a
successful implementation of cloud computing in Nigeria’s higher institutions such factors include
unsteady power supply, cost of ownership, lack of access, etc. however for a better transition, they
opined such institution keep in contact with reliable organizations such as National Institute of
Standards and Technology(NIST) to ensure the suave transition.
Majhi, Meher, and Maharana (2015) conducted a study on “awareness and usage of cloud
computing application among LIS professionals” The result revealed that usage of cloud in library
operations and services was not significant. A total of 75 % of the library professionals used basic
cloud services for personal purposes such as store files online, store personnel videos, and
photographs online and as well for collaborative writings and 42 % used this technology for

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providing library services. The study further revealed that the deep interest to use this technology
in library services and operations as they believed that by applying cloud technology it will reduce
the overall cost of library and easy collaboration.
A study by Udanor, Obilo, and Aneka (2018), on implementing cloud computing storage in Nigeria
tertiary institutions, was able to develop a model of a stable cloud infrastructure that enables
researchers to collaborate and share data among the academia. The design and implementation are
based on the Synnefo cloud. Similarly, Yuvaraj (2013) explored the application and usage of cloud
technology at libraries of a total of 29 central universities in India. The survey tool designed and
collected data from a total of 407 library users from all the universities. Findings revealed that 32.4
percent of library professionals have core computer literacy in terms of professional certification
in computer science in addition to a professional degree in library science. Almost 87 percent of
the library personnel shows a willingness to provide library services through the cloud. Library
professionals indicated the willingness to use layers of cloud computing mainly free software,
platform, and infrastructure as cloud services in the central university. Data security and protection
of personal data are the major concerns expressed by the library professionals.
Oyeleye, Fagbola and, Daramola, (2014) on the “impact and challenges of the adoption of cloud
computing in public universities in the South-west, Nigeria”. Their results revealed that adopting
cloud computing has a key influence on cost-effectiveness, enhanced availability, reduced
investment in physical assets, reduced IT complexities, and ultimately increased operability. This
was affirmed also by Yuvaraj, and Mayank, (2013), that 91% of the organizations in the US and
Europe agree that the reduction of cost is a major reason for them to migrate to a cloud
environment. From the user's point of view, a study by Ashtari and Eydgahi, (2017) examined
The influence of users' perceptions toward the cloud computing technologies was investigated The
researchers focused on the associations between variables identified in the literature that were
considered to be influencing the perception of students in the university in Southeast Michigan.
These variables include users’ perceptions of the usefulness and effectiveness of cloud computing
applications, perceived ease of use, Internet self-efficacy, computer anxiety, computer self-
efficacy. They carried out an online survey among 40 undergraduate students at Michigan
University and used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to analyze the adoption of cloud
computing by students.
According to Gisolfi, (2015), with the presence of smart technologies and other innovative IT
gadgets, today’s library patrons are techno-savvy and most prefer to interact via email, instant
messaging services, streaming news, and media outlets. Hence, libraries must acknowledge
technology trends and re-invent their services to provide efficient services, so as not to be bypassed
by users that perceive their services to be slow, unappealing, and irrelevant inactive library service
delivery. There is a need for libraries to be proactive by re-strategize and restructure their mode of
service delivery to satisfy their clientele (McCallum, 2015). Therefore, embracing new technology
trends like cloud computing that can improve service delivery to her clientele is the only way for
libraries and information centers survival
Although, the migration to the cloud-based library may not take place out rightly, however it is
inevitable to look at various opportunities that cloud base services can offer that will necessitate
its adoption by library and information centers. As specified by Neethu and Vanaja (2017) are Cost
Efficiency, Scalability, Lower investment, Support included, Greater security and accessibility,
Portability, Adjustable storage, Cloud OPAC, Unlimited Storage, Backup and Recovery, Essay
Access to Information. More so it is user-centric, interoperability, representation, connect and

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convert, and create and collaborate, Easy on installation and maintenance, Highly automated,
Better mobility (24x7) service, and Shared resources.

Methodology
Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. Fifty three library personnel from four
private university libraries constitutes the respondent for the study. These respondents were
randomly selected from four private universities in Osun State, Nigeria. The universities selected
include: Adeleke University Ede, Bowen University Iwo, Joseph Ayo Babalola Univeristy, Ikeji-
Arakeji and Redeemers’ University Ede. Questionanaire was used as instrument for data
collection. Googleforms was employed to create the items of the questionnaire which was
administered on the respondents via online professional associations.The data collected was
analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages were used with the
aid of Software Package for Service Solution (SPSS).
Results and Discussions
Table 1. The Universities under survey and the Demographics Information of the
respondents

University Frequency Percentage (%)

Adeleke University Ede (AU) 10 (18.9)

Bowen University Iwo 22 (41.5)
Joseph Ayo Babalola , Ekije-Arakije 11 (20.8)
(JABU)
Redeemers University Ede (RUN) 10 (18.9)
Total 53 100
Sections in the library
Circulation 21 (39.6)
Cataloguing 13 (24.5)
Reference 4 (7.5)
Acquisition 3 (5.7)
E-Library 12 (22.6)
Total 53 100
Educational qualifications
PhD 4 ( 7.5)
MLS/MIRM 22 (41.5)
BLS 24 (45.3)
HND 3 (5.7)
Total 53 100
Gender
Male 22 (41.5)
Female 31 (58.5)
Total 53 100
Working experience
1-5 22 (41.5)
6-10 25 (47.2)

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 11 years and above 6 (11.3)
Total 53 100.0

The analysis as showned in Table 1 above revealed that large number of the respondents from
the four universities under survey were Female (58.5%). While (41.5%) of the respondent were
Male. With (45.3%) of whom are degree holders

Table 2: Awareness of Cloud Computing

S/N Awareness of Cloud Computing Yes No
Is a type of computing that relies on shared 49(92.5) 4(7.5)
computing resources , and provide unlimited
storage capabilities

From the analysis, Table 2 showned that 49 (92.5%) respondents of library personnel from the
different universities under survey were aware of the concept of Cloud Computing. While only
4(7.5 %) were not aware. Therefore, this implies that the majority of library personnel are aware
of this concept and are not lagging.

Table 3: Purpose of Using Cloud-based Services

S/N Purpose Aggregate Agreement Aggregate

Score%/ADS Disagreement
Score%/ADS
For Personal Purpose
1 I use it to Store files online 49(92.5) 4(7.5)
2 I use it to store Collaborative writing 38(71.7) 46.2
output
3 I use it to store my personal photos and 95(179.3) 11(20.7)
videos
4 I use it to store both received and sent 49(92.7) 4(7.5)
mail
For professional Purpose
5 I assist users in information resources 36(67.9) 17(32.1)
provision/ federated search
6 I use it to store the output of my 40(75.4) 13(24.6)
professional collaborative research with
put
7 I use it for file sharing services to users 43(81.1) 10(18.9)
8 I use it to store created Document/ office 32(60.4) 13(24.5)
software
9 I assist library users in information 40(75.5) 13(58.5)
retrieval
10 I assist in Providing document delivery 36(67.9) 17(32)
services to users
11 I use it to create, upload and save 39(73.6) 14(26.4)
newsletters, new arrivals and forthcoming
events for user community

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 12 I use it for users records maintenance/ 48(90.6) 5(9.4)
storage/creating alerts to users based on
SDI
13 I use it for File synchronization services 36(67.3) 17(32)

From the analysis, Table 3 depicted the responds rate on the purpose of using cloud-based services,
given that it can be used for professional and personal purposes. Under the personal purpose of
using cloud-based services, it indicates that the majority of the respondent 95(179.3) are using
cloud services to Store Personal photos and Videos. However few uses it to store the output of
their Collaborative writings, with responded to be 38(71.7) While for professional purposes, the
maximum respondent rate indicated that they use it for users records maintenance/ storage and as
well as creating alerts to users based on SDI with a responds arte of 48(90.6) The least responds
for professional use indicated that they use it tosotre created Document/ office software , with a
responded rate of 32(60.4).
Table 4: Cloud-Based Library Services
S/N Cloud Services Used Not used
E-mail services
1 Gmail 45(84.9) 8(15.1)
2 Outlook 30(56.6) 23(43.4)
3 Yahoo 48(90.6) 5(9.4)
Social Networking
4 Facebook 45(84.9) 8(15.1)
5 Whatsapp 47(88.7) 6(11.3)
6 Twitter 38(71.7) 15(28.3)
Video services
7 Youtube 45(84.9) 8(15.1)
8 Vimeo 22(41.5) 31(58.5)
File storages & sharing
9 Google drive 43(81.1) 10(18.9)
10 Drobox 23(43.4) 30(56.6)
11 SHAREit 24(45.3) 29(54.7)
Information & data collection services
12 Survey Monkey 44(83.0) 9(17.0)
13 Google forms 46(86.8) 7(13.2)
Event calendar
14 Google calendar 16(30.2) 37(69.8)
15 Doodle 17(32.1) 36(67.9)
Online representation
16 Slide share 40(75.5) 13(24.5)
17 Google doc 47(88.7) 6(11.3)
Online file editing services
18 Picasa 16(30.2) 37(69.8)

The analysis as showed in Table 4 above revelaed that in cloud-based services, mailing services
was highly used by the respondents with a response rate of (90.6 %) for yahoo.followed by Social
Networking, Whatsapp was more used compare to Facebook and Twitter with a response rate of

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(88.7%), equally in online representations, Google Doc respond rate was (88.7%). in information
and data collection services, Google forms respond rate was (86.85%), there were more utilized
than survey monkey, while in video services, Youtube was more used than Vimeo with response
rate was off (84.9%). Lastly, other services such as file storage and sharing, Event calendar, and
online file editing services were also used by respondents though in file storage and sharing Google
drive usage was more significant than others with (81.1%).

Table 5: Area of Adopting cloud computing services in the library

S/N Areas of Adopting cloud services Yes% No%
1 Library portal for new arrivals, book request, 31(58.5) 22(41.2)
queries, and feedback
2 Web OPAC, online renewals and reservations 40(75.5) 13(24.5)
storage
3 Back up/ information resources storage 43(81.1) 10(18.9)
4 Storage of data and files in a public server 42(79.2) 11(20.8)
5 Library management software (LMS) 47(88.7) 6(11.3)
6 Data import and export 41(77.4) 12(22.6)
7 Resource Repository 41(77.4) 12(22.6)

The analysis as showed in Table 5 depicted areas in which cloud computing has been adopted in
the various university libraries under study. The maximum respondent rate indicates that “Library
management software (LMS)” is the highest area where cloud computing has been adopted with
the respondent rate of 47(88.7%) while the second majority area is Storage of data and files with
the response rate of then 42(79.2). then “Back up/ storage of information resources” with a
respondent rate of 43(81.1%). Then followed by “Data import and export” and equally “Resource
Repository” with a response rate of 41(77.4%) respectively. Cataloging g and classification
response rate is 40(75.5%) and the least response rate is Acquisition with 31(58.5 %) response
rate.

Discussion of Findings
Based on the findings from the study, the results are discussed as follows: Findings to research
question one awareness of cloud computing revealed that library personnel from the four
University libraries understudy had a response rate of (92.5%), this indicates that large number of
the respondents from these universities under survey in Osun state, were aware with the concept
Cloud Computing. This further implies that they are not lagging. This finding is in agreement with
the study of Majhi, Meher, and Maharana (2015) who found out that 85.7% of library and
information science professionals in 17 Indian university libraries were aware of cloud computing.
On a contrary, a study by Pillai and Seena (2018) on the application and awareness of cloud
computing technology at Kerala University revealed that 42.16% of library staff have less idea
about cloud computing.
The findings to the research question two revealed that large number of the respondent with
respond rate (179.3%) were using cloud services to Store personel photos and videos, this finding
agrees with the study of Majhi, Meher, and Maharana (2015) whose study revealed that usage of
cloud in library operations and services was not significant, a total of 75 % of the library
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professionals used basic cloud services for personel purposes. Also, Yuvaraj (2013) explored the
application and usage of cloud technology at libraries of a total of 29 central universities in India,
out of 407 library users only 87% percent personnel show willingness to provide library services
through the cloud.
The finding from the research question three revealed that the most cloud-based services is social
social networking with (88.7) respond rate and Online reprentations respectively (88.7). Based on
the research question four, the maximum respondent rate indicates that “Library management
software (LMS)” is the highest area where cloud computing has been adopted with the respondent
rate of (88.7%). A study by Oyeleye, Fagbola and, Daramola, (2014) on the “impact and challenges
of the adoption of cloud computing in public universities in the South-west, Nigeria”. Affirmed
that adopting cloud computing has a key influence on cost-effectiveness, Similary Arpaci (2017),
asserted that Cloud computing adoption can be promoted if educational institutions can increase
the awareness of knowledge management.

Conclusion

The trends in information and communication technology (ICT) are unrelenting. Novel
technological devices keep evolving with possibilities of offering innovative services. These
technologies are playing a dynamic role in library servicesas well. The library has always been a
point of contact for information therefore, the Libraries a time faces many challenges that always
result in the adoption of new technologies. The adoption becomes necessary in other to ease
processes involved in service delivery and ultimately to satisfy the needs of its users. It has become
obvious that present library users are tech-no savvy therefore, have transformed their information-
seeking behavior to a greater extent, which calls for new means of satisfying their queries.
However it was showned from the study that large number of library perrsone are aware of what
cloud computing is but however uses it mostly for personal purposes. Furthermore, with the
alternatives at the beck of patrons today there is no gainsaying that, dependence on libraries and
information centers may shift. The only way to remain relevant is by creating awareness and
adopting new technologies like cloud computing that has the potential in adding creativity and
innovative service delivery to its users.
Implications of the Findings

There are several practical implications of this study for the library and information professions.
Firstly, to create awareness, an adoption of cloud computing services, cloud computing service
providers need to create room for sensitizing their customers and also to teach them about the
performance benefit of cloud services to library service delivery. By so doing, it will help the
librarians to understand the relevance of this technological innovation to their daily routine.
Secondly, the librarians will need to assess cloud computing technologies by considering the
security challenges associated with it.

Libraries have always faced storage issues due to the need to have a robust collection, However,
the implication of adopting cloud-based library services by Libraries will thereby create a limitless
storage capacity thus providing efficiency, increase reach, pave room for collaborative services
reduce cost, improve workflow with faster access to services. Therefore, Libraries need to
consider reallocating resources from managing technology to developing added-value services that
satisfy the demands of patrons.

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Furthermore, creating a centralized knowledge-based information pool is one of the perquisites to
deliver efficient unified service delivery. Therefore, adopting cloud computing can help in
achieving a general repository that can be accessed by all. From the foregoing, there is no
gainsaying that the library needs to channel their energies and expertise into sourcing out creative
ways of adopting new technologies and training their staff to familiarize themselves with it.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study,the following recommendations are therefore presented.
1. Libraries need to adopt cloud computing services to improve service delivery by encouraging
library personnel to use it for professinonal use.
2. The university management needs to frequently organize training and retraining on the
installation of different routers, switches, various communication media, these are good
options, that can provide skills and knowledge on networking which are essential for managing
cloud computing services.
3. Before the adoption of cloud computing technology, consideration should be given to privacy
issues and all levels of security matters. This will give consumers the assurance that their
resources are secured and save from intellectual property theft.
4. There is a need to curb all avoidable factors that could militate against cloud computing
adoption such as Internet services and electricity should be resolved before engaging in cloud
computing adoption in the libraries. Alternatively, the library can consider the use of a solar
energy system and the use of an inverter to complement the electricity supply
5. Digital librarians need to extend their areas of researches to cloud computing that will enable
them to participate and make some reasonable contributions to the development and utilization
of cloud computing systems in libraries.

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