Leveraging cloud computing for enhanced academic library services in Kenya: Opportunities, challenges, and best practices

Abstract

This literature review paper examines the opportunities, challenges, and best practices associated with leveraging cloud computing for enhanced academic library services in Kenya. Academic libraries in Kenya have realized the need to adjust to the digital world, where traditional library systems regularly struggle to fulfill library users' evolving demands. Cloud computing provides expandable and flexible resources that transform library services. This review synthesizes existing research to pinpoint the opportunities that cloud computing offers to academic libraries in Kenya, which include, improved accessibility, and resource dissemination. Nonetheless, challenges like data security, inadequate IT infrastructure, and privacy concerns must be addressed prudently. Furthermore, this review identifies best practices for the implementation and consumption of cloud computing in the sphere of academic library. The results of this literature review provide valuable insights into the current state of leveraging cloud computing in university libraries in Kenya, highlighting the likely benefits and challenges encountered. This review serves as a foundation for future research and provides practical implications for decision-makers, librarians, and IT specialists in the Kenyan academic library context. Ultimately, it strives to guide academic libraries in Kenya towards leveraging cloud computing to improve their services, supporting the academic success and research activities of their users in an increasingly digital world.