1. Core Features:
User Management:
Registration & Login: For users (students, faculty) and admin.
Profile Management: Update personal details, view borrowing history, etc.
Role Management: Different access levels for users, librarians, and administrators.
Book Management:
Cataloging: Add, update, and remove books from the catalog.
Search & Filter: Search for books by title, author, ISBN, genre, etc.
Availability Check: Check whether a book is available or checked out.
Borrowing System:
Check Out: Borrow books and update the status.
Check In: Return books and update the status.
Renewal: Extend the borrowing period.
Reservation: Reserve books that are currently checked out.
Notifications & Alerts:
Due Dates: Notify users of upcoming due dates.
Fines: Calculate and notify users of fines for overdue books.
Reservations: Notify users when reserved books become available.
Reporting:
Usage Reports: Generate reports on book usage, user activity, etc.
Inventory Reports: Track and report on book inventory and status.
2. Advanced Features:
Integration:
Barcode Scanning: For book checkouts and returns.
Online Catalog: Integration with online databases or library catalogs.
Analytics:
Usage Statistics: Analyze trends in book usage and borrowing patterns.
User Behavior: Track and analyze user behavior for better management.
User Interface:
Responsive Design: Ensure the system is accessible via various devices.
User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design for easy navigation.
Security:
Data Encryption: Secure sensitive user and book data.
Access Control: Ensure data and features are only accessible to authorized users.
3. Technical Specifications:
Database Management:
Schema Design: Design a robust schema for users, books, transactions, etc.
Data Integrity: Ensure data accuracy and consistency.
Technology Stack:
Backend: Choose a suitable backend technology (e.g., Node.js, Django, etc.)
Frontend: Develop a responsive UI (e.g., using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React).
Database: Use a relational database (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) or NoSQL database (e.g., MongoDB).
Integration with Other Systems:
External APIs: Integrate with external systems or services if needed.
4. Documentation:
User Manual: Detailed instructions for users on how to use the system.
Technical Documentation: Documentation of the system architecture, database schema, API endpoints, and codebase.
5. Testing:
Unit Testing: Test individual components for correct functionality.
Integration Testing: Ensure that different parts of the system work together as expected.
User Acceptance Testing: Validate the system against user requirements and expectations.
6. Deployment and Maintenance:
Deployment: Deploy the system on a server or cloud platform.
Maintenance: Regular updates and bug fixes.