ONLINE LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of Study

An online-library is a special library with a focused collection of digital objects that can include text, visual material, audio material, video material, stored as electronic media formats (as opposed to print, microform, or other media), along with means for organizing, storing, and retrieving the files and media contained in the library collection. Digital libraries can vary immensely in size and scope, and can be maintained by individuals, organizations, or affiliated with established physical library buildings or institutions, or with academic institutions.The digital content may be stored locally, or accessed remotely via computer networks. An electronic library is a type of information retrieval system.Early projects centered on the creation of an electronic card catalogue known as Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). By the 1980s, the success of these endeavors resulted in OPAC replacing the traditional card catalog in many academic, public and special libraries. This permitted libraries to undertake additional rewarding co-operative efforts to support resource sharing and expand access to library materials beyond an individual library.

An early example of a digital library is the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) which was “born digital” in 1966.Many academic libraries are actively involved in building institutional repositories of the institution’s books, papers, thesis, and other works which can be digitized or were ‘born digital’. Many of these repositories are made available to the general public with few restrictions, in accordance with the goals of open access, in contrast to the publication of research in commercial journals, where the publishers often limit access rights.

Online – 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 maintenance modules 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. Statement of Problem

The library information is to an extent manually recorded and reveals a number of problems.

• The recording of students that borrow some books for further readingis done manually on a book that appears rough. Thus, the books are exposed to physical damage, information can be lost and dust particles are accumulated.
• It also takes a lot of timeto arrange these books in its serial number and moreover the book keepers always felt tired while arranging these books.
• These books which are kept in the library can easily be exposed to insect and other physical damages. Like; Fire,Water and Ants,etc.   

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

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

(A)Aim

• Online book issue
• Request column for librarian for providing new books
• A separate column for digital library
• Student login page where student can find books issued by him/her and date of return.