Cloud Computing and Information Technology Governance Supporting the Digital Library Strategy

Abstract

This paper is dedicated to the study of the role of Information Technology Governance in Digital Library Cloud Computing Strategy and its structures, processes and relational mechanisms to control the formulation and implementation of IT strategy and in this way to help the Digital Libraries to prepare themselves to take advantage of the IT Cloud Computing Infrastructure to support the Library operational mode in the digital environment. For many Digital Libraries, the increasing availability of technologies has shown an ambiguity in their management. The study is done based on the dynamics of ICTs and the ability to generate innovations with a direct impact on the services provided by the Library. It is necessary to professionalize and classify the decision-making processes and provide the commitment, setting priorities for investment, monitoring IT contribution to the operation of the Digital Library as well as to demonstrate results that can be understood by the Library manager. The correct investment in IT has been pressured for tangible and sustainable results and the management of IT resources is essential to the Digital Library. Analyzing the organizational models of Libraries that stand out in the use of technology, the study points out the best practices on three key aspects to an effective organization of IT: defining the most appropriate organizational structure, functions and critical competencies that should be centralized and governance for investments in technology. The paper studies how the cloud computing approach can help to increase the productivity of the Library and the main challenges that the Digital Library will have to face in relation to the management of their computing environments, aiming to achieve high quality of services, productivity, and develop agile environments that allow the Library to meet the demands of governance and digital information management.