Design and Implementation of a Web-Based Digital Library

Design and Implementation of a Web-Based Digital Library

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

A digital library is a library in which collections are stored in digital formats (as opposed to print, microform, or other media) and accessible by computers (eCuzzy, 2011). A library is an organized collection of information sources that is made accessible to people. The library usually contains the information physically or in a digitized format. In the olden period, the access was usually in the library room as the technology grew up the access that was made online (Dinesh et al., 2015). The library is a fast-growing organism. The ancient methods to maintain it are no longer dynamic and efficient. For expeditious retrieval and dissemination of information and better service for the clientele, the application of modern techniques has become indispensable (Neelakandan et al., 2010).

Libraries can be divided into categories by several types, which are: Academic libraries, Corporate libraries, Government libraries such as national libraries, Historical society libraries, Private libraries, Public libraries, School libraries, Special libraries, Digital libraries, Picture (photograph) libraries, Slide Libraries, Tool libraries, Architecture libraries, Fine arts libraries, Medical libraries, Theological libraries, etc.

A library is comprised of the following sections, based on the services rendered.

i. Acquisition Section: The books demanded by different departments are done by the Acquisition section. The University book center is also working in this section for the supply of books to the libraries in this university.

ii. Technical Section: To classify, catalog, OPAC, Barcode, etc. the documents of theUniversity Library this section is working.

iii. Circulation Section: This section provides documents to the members and users of the library for home reading as well as reading in the library. The documents are arranged on the racks in stacks as per the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme.

iv. Periodical Section: To procure, maintain and arrange periodicals services to library members. The Periodical section provides a reference service concerning the requirement of the reader. The reference section is attached to the periodical section for the convenience of the Library users.

v. Databases: Databases like OPAC, CAB-CD ROM abstracting databases, DELNET online Network Service, etc. are available for the library members.

vi. Reprographic Section: This Section has two automatic plain paper copiers and a duplicating machine through which the services of photocopy are provided to the readers

vii. Binding Section: This section is working for the binding work of the damaged books. Back Volumes and other documents of this Library. The required binding machinery is available in this section.

Library management is a sub-discipline of institutional management that focuses on specific issues faced by libraries and library management professionals. Library management encompasses normal managerial tasks as well as intellectual freedom, anti-censorship, and fundraising tasks. Issues faced in library management frequently overlap those faced in the management of non-profit organizations (Sharma et al., 2005). Library Management System is an application that portraits a library system that could be generally small or medium in size. It is used by the librarian to categorically manage the library by the virtue of using a computerized system where he/she can record various transactions like the issue of books, return of books, the addition of new books, the addition of new students, etc. (Ashutosh and Ashish., 2011).

Books and user maintenance modules are also included in this system which would keep track of the users using the library and also a detailed description of the books a library contains. With this computerized system, there will be no loss of book records or member records which generally happens when a non-computerized system is used. In addition, the report module is also included in Library Management System. If the user’s position is admin, the user can generate different kinds of reports like lists of users registered, list of books, issue, and return reports. All these modules can help librarians to manage the library with more convenience and in a more efficient way as compared to library systems which are not computerized.

This system will be developed and designed to help librarians record every book transaction to reduce and eradicate the problem of the loss of books and files in the library.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Presently, transactions of books in the institutional libraries have been done manually in most cases, thereby taking more time for transactions like the borrowing of books or return of books and also searching of members and books. A Series of problems occur as a result of this thereby resulting in inefficient library management. In most cases as a result of human error, there may be loss and damages of records due to not using a computerized system in the library.

Nevertheless, the difficulty in the searching of books which could be termed to be inadequacy in book Management is a problem in the manual library thereby causing inefficiency and time-consuming in the library. Also, the problem of space-consuming erupts after the number of records becomes large the space for physical storage of files and records also increases if no computerized system is implemented as well as the issue of cost. Due to the problem of lack of prompt information retrieval and time wastage in using the library. In addition due to the cumbersome, in this project computer approach will be used to solve these problems. Each of the manual procedures will be analyzed.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This project aims to develop an automated system that can handle and manage the activities involved in a library efficiently and reliably.

Detailed objectives include:

i. Designing a computerized library management system that would help evacuate the problem faced in the manual library.

ii. Implementing the system to ascertain its feasibility.

iii. Evaluating and testing the performance of the system against previous manual methods.

1.4 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The need for the development of a system that can provide easy access to library usage for librarians and users of the library cannot be over-emphasized. The system will help librarians keep track of library information, provide faster means of accessing information from any book in the library, and also provide electronic means of storing any desired information for future reference. Hence the purpose of this project.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The project product to be produced is a Library Management System that will automate the major library operations. The first subsystem is the registration of the users to the system to keep track of authorized users to the system. The second subsystem is the registration of new books into the library management system to know when new books are brought into the library. The third subsystem is a borrower and return of books which is the major area needed by the user.

There are three end-users for the Library Management System. The end users are the admin, users, and members.

1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research work will be guided by the following research questions:

(i) Why propose a computerized library system for the organization. Is it really important?

(ii) How will the proposed computer-based system affect the existing conventional system?

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Most constraint experienced during writing this project is that of detailed information about TwinSec Library’s major operations, the personnel manager was a little diplomatic in answering my questions in order not to reveal information that may indent the company’s image, though that did not stop me from writing and researching for detailed information.

Due to time constraints, finance, and confidentiality of information, a program developed covers some aspects of laundry services; recording cleaning/washing activities, financial statements, history of customers, and debts. Whatever is left out is a result of the stated limitations.

1.8 ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY

During the process of data collection, information relating to laundry services was obtained from TwinSec Library Services. The information was collected from the admin staff during my research. Hence, it is assumed that all the data collected are correct and contain no false information.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Bibliography: A list of books and articles to be found at the back of many non-fiction books, or the end of articles in an encyclopedia on the same subject.

Accession Register: A book in which the following information about the book is listed when it is obtained: accession number, title, price and source of supply, date of withdrawal, and reason for withdrawal.

Book Card: A card kept in the pocket of a book when the book is on the shelf.

Blurb: Blurb tells what the book is about. It is found either in the front, inside the flap of the jacket, or on one of the first few pages of the book or the back cover.

Catalog: Contain cards with information about each book in the library.

Cataloging: The description of each book on to cards as it comes into the library.

OPAC: An online public access catalog is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries. Users search a library catalog principally to locate books and other material available at a library.

DELNET: developing a library network, is an organization promoting resource sharing among libraries through the development of a network of libraries.