Libraries in the Cloud

Discover how libraries can benefit by moving to the cloud and what role librarians can play when staff and student applications become hosted. What are the advantages of moving to a "hosted" school library catalog and circulation system? How can school librarians themselves take advantage of GoogleApps and similar cloud-based productivity tools? And what roles can the school librarian play when a school adopts a program like GoogleApps for Education?


  1. What is "cloud computing" and what are its advantages? What are some common examples of cloud computing in today's schools and libraries?
  2. Cloud-based library applications. Examples of current "web-based" applications currently being used including hosted library cat/circ systems, book discussion sites, and scheduling software.
  3. How librarians can use GoogleApps for Education. Concrete examples and templates of how librarians use GoogleApps to administer their programs.
  4. Examining the role of the librarian in a district-wide implementation of GoogleApps for Education. Seven things librarians have done in the Mankato Schools to help assure a successful roll out of Apps for all staff and students.
  5. Transparency: What it is and how it can be enhanced with the cloud
  6. Discussion and ideas


Dropbox link to slides


GoSoapBox page for this workshop

Resources:

"School Libraries and Cloud Computing: Roles and Possibilities" LMC, May/June 2011

“Computing in the Clouds” Leading & Learning, Dec/Jan 2009/10.

7 Opportunities: GoogleApps and School Librarians, Blue Skunk Blog, August 17, 2010

Letters to parents, teachers, and students about GoogleApps for Education.

Transparency and Trust, LMC June 2012

See also the materials for "A Cloudy Outlook for Education"

100+ Registration Free Tools for Students

The Benefits of Cloud Computing


Corrado, Edward M. and Heather Lea Moulaison The Library Cloud Pros and Cons Library Journal Digital Shift

Loertscher, David Book2Cloud project

Miller, Nancy A.S. Course: Google Docs and Other Apps for School Library Programs: Create and Collaboration

Schwander. Mary. Google in the Library. https://sites.google.com/site/schwanderlms/home/google-docs


GoogleApps Security and Privacy FAQ

Henry Thiele answers some questions about FERPA and HIPPA and GoogleApps for Education, April 2012

US DoE's Privacy Technical Assistance Center, Frequently Asked Questions - Cloud Computing