What type of cloud is maintained by a coalition of libraries for patron use?

The type of cloud maintained by a coalition of libraries for patron use is a community cloud. This cloud model is specifically designed to be shared by several organizations with common concerns or interests, such as libraries in this case. The collaboration allows libraries to pool resources and share services, resulting in a shared infrastructure that benefits all parties involved.

Community clouds provide a platform that can support various data and application needs specific to the members’ shared requirements rather than being restricted to a single organization, as is the case in a private cloud. This fosters a collaborative environment where resources can be efficiently utilized and accessed by multiple libraries, enhancing their ability to serve patrons while maintaining governance over shared data and services.

In comparison, private clouds are dedicated to a single organization, public clouds are available to the general public and may not adhere to specific organizational needs, and hybrid clouds combine elements of both private and public clouds, which may not serve the specific intent of a coalition of libraries as effectively as a community cloud does.