Account Creation: Allow users (students, teachers, librarians, and administrators) to create and manage accounts using email, social media, or school credentials.
Profile Management: Users can manage and update their profiles, including personal information, library card details, and roles.
Authentication & Authorization: Secure login/logout functionality with role-based access control (e.g., student, teacher, librarian, admin).
Catalog Management:
Resource Catalog: Maintain a detailed catalog of library resources, including books, journals, magazines, e-books, and multimedia resources.
Metadata Management: Include metadata for each resource, such as title, author, ISBN, publication date, category, and location.
Resource Classification: Categorize resources by subject, genre, author, and type for easy retrieval.
Search and Retrieval:
Resource Search: Implement search functionality allowing users to find resources based on keywords, titles, authors, categories, or other filters.
Advanced Filtering: Provide advanced filtering options to refine search results based on resource type, availability, and location.
Checkouts and Returns:
Checkout Process: Allow users to check out resources online, including setting due dates and generating checkout receipts.
Return Management: Manage the return of resources, including handling late returns and calculating overdue fines if applicable.
Renewals: Enable users to renew checked-out resources online if no holds or reservations are pending.
Reservations and Holds:
Resource Reservation: Allow users to place holds or reservations on resources that are currently checked out.
Notification System: Notify users when reserved resources become available for pickup.
Inventory Management:
Stock Tracking: Track the availability of resources, including checking for lost or damaged items.
Inventory Audits: Perform regular inventory audits and manage stock discrepancies.
User Notifications:
Alerts and Reminders: Send notifications for due dates, overdue items, reserved resource availability, and library events.
Email and SMS Notifications: Provide notifications via email or SMS based on user preferences.
Reporting and Analytics:
Usage Reports: Generate reports on resource usage, including checkouts, returns, and user activity.
Collection Analysis: Provide insights into library collection performance, including popular resources and acquisition needs.
User Reports: Generate reports on user activity, including checkout history and overdue items.
Admin Panel:
Dashboard: A central dashboard for administrators to manage users, resources, and system settings.
User Management: Admins can add, remove, or modify user accounts and roles.
Resource Management: Admins can add, update, or delete resources and manage resource categories.
Integration with Other Systems:
API Integration: Support integration with school management systems, external databases, or digital content providers.
Single Sign-On (SSO): Integrate with existing school authentication systems for seamless user access.
Accessibility and Support:
Help Desk: Provide access to support resources and contact options for user assistance.
Accessibility Features: Ensure the platform is accessible to users with disabilities, following WCAG guidelines.
Mobile Access:
Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure the platform is accessible and fully functional on various mobile devices and screen sizes.
Mobile App Integration: Optionally, provide a mobile app for easier access to library resources and services.
Non-Functional Requirements
Performance:
Speed: Ensure fast load times and quick response times for searches, checkouts, and user interactions.
Scalability: The system should efficiently handle increasing numbers of users, resources, and transactions.
Security:
Data Protection: Implement encryption and secure storage for sensitive user data, including personal information and library transactions.
Compliance: Adhere to data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and industry standards.
Access Control: Implement role-based access controls to prevent unauthorized access to library data and system features.
Usability:
User Interface: Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface for students, teachers, librarians, and administrators.
Accessibility: Ensure the platform is accessible to users with disabilities, following WCAG guidelines.
Reliability:
Uptime: Aim for high availability with minimal downtime to ensure continuous access to library services.
Backup and Recovery: Implement regular backups and a disaster recovery plan to protect data and ensure business continuity.
Maintainability:
Code Quality: Maintain clean, well-documented code to facilitate easy updates and maintenance.
Modularity: Design the system in a modular way to allow for easy addition of new features and updates.
Compatibility:
Cross-Browser Support: Ensure compatibility with major web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Mobile Responsiveness: The platform should be fully functional on various mobile devices and screen sizes.
Localization:
Multilingual Support: Provide the platform in multiple languages if serving a diverse user base.
Regional Customization: Allow for region-specific content, library regulations, and localization settings.
Analytics and Reporting:
Data Insights: Provide actionable insights into library usage, resource performance, and user engagement.
Custom Reporting: Allow administrators to generate and customize reports based on specific needs.
