DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter gives an overview about the aim, objectives, background and operation environment of the system.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Library Management System is an application which refers to library systems which are generally small or medium in size. It is used by librarian to manage the library using a computerized system where he/she can record various transactions like issue of books, return of books, addition of new books, addition of new students etc.Books and student maintenanceModules are also included in this system which would keep track of the students using the library and also a detailed description about the books a library contains. With this computerized system there will be no loss of book record or member record which generally happens when a non computerized system is used.In addition, report module is also included in Library Management System. If user’s position is admin, the user is able to generate different kinds of reports like lists of students registered, list of books, issue and return reports.All these modules are able to help librarian to manage the library with more convenience and in a more efficient way as compared to library systems which are not computerized.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The problems found in the Library during Library operation was so much that there were cases where books got missing, if it is not stolen by the student it may be stolen by the staff, part of some books were turn, manual issuing of books and cards, Un-identification of Books in its shelf, time required to record as well as presenting an Information and also the cost of purchasing books, News paper and Journals and Magazines, uneasy returning of books to the library.

Lack of effectiveness in their methods of record keeping, further compounds the problem.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The project aims and objectives that will be achieved after completion of this project are discussed in this subchapter. The aims and objectives are as follows:

1. To resolve book issue

2. To Request column for librarian for providing new books

3. To create A separate column for digital library

4. To provide Student login page where student can find books issued by him/her and date of return.

5. To provide A search column to search availability of books

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study was to help and give a benefit to the concerned group below.

This study will be beneficial to the following:

Students and Staff: Through computerized library system, they can easily find the books that they are looking for without going through the traditional way of searching a library material. Convenience is more visible for it is not time-consuming, resulting to a number of accomplished works.

Librarian: The computerized library system would improve the monitoring capacities of those who maintain the library. It would be easier to determine whether a particularbook is on-shelf or not. In addition, they can easily identify when will the borrowedmaterial be returned and if a borrower has failed to return the book on its due date.Furthermore, the librarian would be much guided when it comes to recognizing newinventory books, letting them arrange it promptly and accordingly.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

1. Unavailability of academic materials.

2. Transport problem

3. Lack of financial support

4. Lack of Time

5. Unavailability of programming software such as Visual Basic 6, and .Net.

1.9 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work will concentrate on Master entry (i.e. Department, course, student registration, etc…), Users (Registration and login details), Serial control, Transaction, records, tools and about menu which includes handling of some queries like; updating library record, deleting library record and searching for student and staff information via Rank, Department or ID as the case may be. It is a case study of Spring Light Technology Library, Akwa Ibom State.

1.8 ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY

During the process of data collection, information relating to Library Management System was obtained from IBOM E – LIBRARY. The information was collected from the admin staff during the course of my industrial attachment. Hence, it is assumed that all the data collected are correct and contains no false information.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Library: It is a department in an organization that deals with Keeping tracks of book issued, returned and added to library.

Management: It is the co-ordination of all the resources of an Organization through the process of planning, Organization, directing and controlling

System: Physical component of a computer that is used to perform certain task.

Data: Numbers, Text or image which is in the form suitable for Storage in or processing by a computer, or an incomplete Information.

Information: A meaning full material derived from computer data by organizing it and Interpreting it in a specified way.

Input: Data entered into a computer for storage or processing.

Output: Information produced from a computer after processing.

Information System: A set of interrelated components that collect (or retrieve), process, store and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization.

Library Management System: A library management system, also known as an automated library system is software that has been developed to handle basic housekeeping functions of a library.

1. COMPUTER:- Computer is an electronic device that accepts data as Input, processes data and gives out information as output to the user.

2. SOFTWARE:- Software is set of related programs that are designed by the manufacturer to control the hardware and to enable the computer perform a given task.

3. HARDWARE:- Hardware is a physical part of a computer that can be touched, seen, feel which are been control by the software to perform a given task.

4. DATABASE:- Database is the collection of related data in an organized form.

5. PROGRAMMING:- programming is a set of coded instruction which the computers understands and obey.

6. TECHNOLOGY:- Technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use technical and their interrelation with life, society and the environment, drawing upon such as industrial art, engineering, applied science and pure science.

7. Algorithm:- A set of logic rules determined during the design phase of a data matching application. The ‘blueprint’ used to turn logic rules into computer instructions that detail what step to perform in what order.

8. Application:- The final combination of software and hardware which performs the data matching.

9. Data matching database:- A structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.

10. Data cleansing:- The proactive identification and correction of data quality issues which affect an agency’s ability to effectively use its data.

11. Data integrity:- The quality of correctness, completeness and complain with the intention of the creators of the data i.e ‘fit for purpose’

12. Enrolment:- The process of an individual to enrol with an agency. Involves the initial collection of identifying details.