Big Data Management based on Cloud Computing in the Libraries of First Level Universities in Iran

Big data is a set of data that, with its special features, cannot be stored, managed and processed by conventional software systems. Cloud computing is a collection of virtualized resources with easy access and usability. Cloud-based storage technology is able to effectively manage big data. The purpose of this study is to determine the current status of libraries̓ big data management based on cloud computing and its Component ranking in the libraries of first level universities in Iran

The present study is an applied and in terms of nature, method and control of variables is a descriptive research. The statistical population includes all librarians working in the libraries of first level universities in Iran, 520 people. The questionnaire was provided to the respondents electronically and a total of 393 questionnaires were received and analyzed. Data collection tool is a researcher-made questionnaire that examines previous studies of six main components affecting the libraries̓ big data management based on cloud computing in the libraries of first level universities in Iran that including manpower, organization, infrastructure, economic issues, culture and data management was identified, which was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. To analyze data from descriptive and inferential statistics with software Spss 22 and Amos 22 were used.

The current situation of library data management based on cloud computing in the libraries of Iran's top-level universities was considered unfavorable from the librarians' point of view, with an average of 23.582 and a standard deviation of 7.655 equal to -0.41730. Ranking the components of the current situation from strength to weakness, respectively 1. Manpower With a factor loading rate of 0.64, 2. Economic issues with a factor loading rate of0.60, 3. Infrastructure With a factor loading rate of0.59, 4. Data Management With a factor loading rate of0.58, 5. Culture With a factor loading rate of 0.57 6. Organizations With a factor loading rate of 0.52 are located.

Librarians are practically dealing with big data because of their day-to-day dealings with very large volumes of data. Matching the average budget of these libraries with the current needs and providing the necessary funds for the digitization of resources and the existence of appropriate legal hardware and software infrastructure, it can pave the way for the necessary steps to take advantage of cloud-based storage services. Most librarians, while understanding the culture of free access to information, understand the importance of providing analyzed data to clients, but clients' perception of receiving such data is moderate. Low awareness and understanding of officials and unwillingness to interact and cooperate with organizations active in this field, does not provide a stable environment to work with big data and provide services based on them.