Cloud computing, software as a service and a critique to OCLC’s discourses on cooperation

Martínez-Ávila, Daniel Cloud computing, software as a service and a critique to OCLC’s discourses on cooperation. Crítica Bibliotecológica: Revista de las Ciencias de la Información Documental, 2013, vol. 6, n. 2, pp. 11-22. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

While OCLC is usually depicted as a library-friendly and cooperative organization, other authors have also exposed its more aggressive and commercial side of this supposed non-profit organization. One possible explanation for this idealistic and illusory image could be found in OCLC's marketing department and their effective propaganda campaigns, which not only intend to expand their business in every possible niche market but also show the company embracing every cutting-edge technology. In this vein, while concepts such as Cloud Computing and Software as a Service became popular in 2008, some activists like Richard Stallman warned us about the dangers posed to privacy and security. However, OCLC has not only embraced these philosophies but also presented them as something positive for libraries that they had previously envisioned. OCLC's discourses on finance, cooperation, globalization and Cloud Computing are critically analyzed in order to identify the potential problems and consequences that they pose to libraries and their users.

Spanish abstract

"Computación de la nube, software como un servicio, y una crítica a los discursos de OCLC sobre cooperación". Resumen: Mientras que OCLC es normalmente representada como una organización amigable, cooperativa y colaboradora con las bibliotecas, otros autores también han expuesto su lado más comercial y agresivo en los negocios de esta supuesta organización sin ánimo de lucro. Una posible explicación para esta idealista e ilusoria imagen podría encontrarse en el departamento de marketing de OCLC y sus efectivas campañas de propaganda, en las que no solo se intenta hacer negocio en todo posible nicho de mercado sino también proyectar una imagen colaborativa y puntera respecto a las tecnologías. En este sentido, a la vez que conceptos como Cloud Computing y Software as a Service se popularizaban en el 2008, algunos activistas como Richard Stallman avisaban sobre los peligros que representaban para la privacidad y la seguridad. Sin embargo, OCLC no solo ha abrazado estas filosofías sino que también las han presentado como algo positivo que ellos ya habían visionado anteriormente, y podrían no estar equivocados. Los discursos de OCLC sobre financiación, cooperación, globalización y Cloud Computing son analizados de forma crítica para así determinar los posibles peligros y consecuencias que ellos representan para las bibliotecas y sus usuarios.

Item type:	Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords:	OCLC, Cloud Computing, Software as a Service, privatization of libraries,privatización de bibliotecas
Subjects:	B. Information use and sociology of information > BA. Use and impact of information. E. Publishing and legal issues. > ED. Intellectual property: author's rights, ownership, copyright, copyleft, open access. H. Information sources, supports, channels. > HM. OPACs. J. Technical services in libraries, archives, museum. > JE. Record keeping. L. Information technology and library technology > LK. Software methodologies and engineering. L. Information technology and library technology > LL. Automated language processing. L. Information technology and library technology > LQ. Library automation systems.
Depositing user:	Zapopan Martín Muela-Meza
Date deposited:	30 Jul 2014 06:55
Last modified:	02 Oct 2014 12:32
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/10760/23558

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