Awareness and Usage of Cloud Computing Services (CCS) by members of the Library Staff: A Case Study on the Library of University of Kelaniya

Abstract

Today in this technical era, cloud computing is a very effective technology model for delivering Information Technology (IT) services. University libraries have started adopting Cloud Computing Services (CCS) for functioning the library in smoothly. The purpose of this paper is to identify the level of awareness and usage of CCS by members of Library in the University of Kelaniya. And also to identify the CCS they are using. A questionnaire and interviews were used for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed among all the members of Library staff except labourers. Most of the academic staff members of the library were aware of CCS and appeared to be using that knowledge for official and personal activities. However the use of this CCS by Non-academic staff members of the library was not at a satisfactory level. The findings revealed that staff members mostly use CCS such as mailing services, social networking services, video services, file sharing services for their activities. They only use WorldCat Cloud Library Service (CLS) for the library and most of them did not seems to know about other CLSs. It is observed that high rate awareness and advance computer literacy skills had led to high levels of usage of CCS. It is recommended that more awareness programmes and hands on trainings should be arranged for all the members of the library and at the same time Computer Literacy programmes are recommended for those members of the Non-academic staff who lack knowledge in computer literacy.