Abstract

CUIB Library management system is a project which aims in developing a computerized system to maintain all the daily work of the library. This project has many features which are generally not available in normal library management systems like the facility of user login. It also has a facility of admin login through which the admin can monitor the whole system.

It has also a facility where students after logging in to their accounts can see a list of books issued and their issue date and return date and also the students can request the librarian to borrow books by sending a request form.

The librarian after logging into his account that is admin account can generate various reports such as student reports, issue reports, employee reports and book reports.

Overall, this project is being developed to help the students as well as staff of the library to maintain the library in the best way possible and also reduce human efforts. It is user friendly.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

A library is an organized collection of books and materials such materials may include magazines, newspapers, maps, films, compact discs (CD’s) and other print, electronic, and multimedia resources. Libraries play a vital role in society’s communication, education and leisure.

The numerous resources and services that libraries provide help people carry out their work, studies, and leisure-time activities. Libraries rank among society’s most important and useful cultural institutions.

There are many types of libraries – Public, Academic and Special. Public Libraries meet the needs of all members of society, from children to senior citizens, and farmers to the highest level officials and housewives to researchers.

Academic and special libraries are designed to serve a specific organization or groups like universities or research organizations or industries or to provide resources related to a particular topic or field. Public Libraries provide access to knowledge and information in all subjects to all users from the recorded knowledge they manage that has been accumulated for centuries.

Those from all age groups and all walks of life – including students, teachers, scientists, business executives, and government officials – use library resources for their work. In addition, large numbers of people turn to libraries to satisfy their desire for knowledge, to pursue a hobby, or to read in their free time.

1.1 Background of the study

The project is a study of the existing library of the Catholic University Institute of the diocese of Buea (CUIB) and information system under, to understand the existing organizational structure, method of operations, and information support system. The possibility of introducing an automated system and networking the libraries using currently available technologies.

CUIB (Catholic University Institute of Buea) is a professional and holistic institution which lay emphasis on the kind of education the administration renders or gives (Staff, lecturers, Deans etc…) to their VIPs (student).

CUIB library is an academic library that is open to students, faculty and staff of CUIB as well as outsiders, it is a unit under the office of the provost. It is rich with all the varieties of books it offers. It is located at the second campus (Wokaka campus). Have 2 main staff; the senior librarian and an assistant.

Its objective had been to render study easier by providing a number of material (textbooks and other related materials) to students, faculty and staff to facilitate their study they can read during their free time, to improve in their knowledge and also for leisure purpose.

The method of operation is as follows;

When books arrive at the library it passes through six stages:

1. Collating: Checking for faults like wrong numbering, ink overflow, missing pages.
2. Assertion: Checks the book author name, title, year of publishing.
3. Classification: Classified them according to their categories and types.
4. Cataloguing: Writing down the author of the book and its title. To facilitate research for those who don’t know may be the name and title of a book.
5. Coding: assigning each book a number depending on the scheme.
6. Putting the code number on the spine that is beside the book. And after then put the books on shelves.

To borrow a book, users (students and employees) show up their library cards. A library card is a card been produced in the library and everybody who wants to access a book in the library must own one.

The library card contains information such as the name, address, school, department it cost 400 FRS per year. Students are allowed to borrow a book for 7 days and employees extend for 10 days.

We have to note that,

• It is possible to renew the borrowing just once
• Two books of the same author cannot be borrowed at the same time.
• In case of late return of the book, students have to pay a fine of 200 FRS daily and lecturers a fine of 500 FRS daily.

The problems encountered by the librarian are;

• NO computers, no internet connection in the library due to no electricity in the Wokaka campus.
• It is strenuous because it is often managed by one person. 3- Not all materials are there, there are a lot of old books.
• The site of the library is not the best, it is far away from students, lecturers and even outsiders who may wish to visit or borrow a book.
• Practically, there are very few users in the library.
• The books borrowed do not return on time and sometimes others even forget at all to give back.

Regarding the above problems encountered, we have come forward with the idea of designing a web application for the management of the CUIB library system, that will be able to help;

• The librarian to communicate with the students, lecturers and others easily hence a need for internet connection in the library.
• Students will be able to see books available online and borrow them.
• Automatically generate date of return and fine so it will be less strenuous.
• Availability of researching new books online and purchases them.
• Store transactions of all those who enter and leave the library if they borrow or not a book.
• The students remember to return books borrowed, by integrating message reminders to alert students/lecturers.
• Alert people on the arrival of new books.
• Students should be able to make comments on the books they borrow and can also recommend and share on social media.
• Give the possibility of booking by making a reservation.
• Store transactions are done daily and monthly.

1.2. Statement of the Research Problem

CUIB library plays a vital role in the learning process of students because it helps to facilitate learning through the variety of textbooks and other materials it offers also help to increase the level of knowledge. Some of the problems encountered by the librarian are; Students usually returns the book late that is after the return date or others even forget to return the book.

Difficulty in keeping track of transactions done this is because the records are not taking down properly, example someone cannot know how many books were borrow per day, month and year meanwhile this information is very important. Also, there is an unawareness of books present in the library.

Another factor is the distance of the library; students do not visit much the library due to its distance away from the first campus and founds it difficult to search for a book they need in a large variety of books offered to them in the library.

1.3.Scope of the Study

The Scope of the present study is the development of a web application of the CUIB Library system. The region covered is South-West, Buea and the study covers the Catholic University Institute of Buea.

1.4.Aims and Objectives of the study

The aim of the project is to design and implement a web-based application for the CUIB library system.

The objectives of the present study are to design and implement a library management application which will be able;

• To permit students and employees to log in and check the books available.
• To permit people to be able to borrow and return a book online.
• To automatically assign a fine for the late return of a book.
• To keep track of all transactions made during the day, month and even year.
• To well classify the books on shelves according to their type and automatically assign code for books.
• To search books available just by indexing.
• To integrate message reminders that will alert students that they have to return books borrowed.

1. 5. Significance of the study

With the immense possibilities offered by ICT nowadays, the CUIB Librarian will be able to provide easier access to materials and resources than ever before. For example, the possibility of having OPAC catalogues and Digital Library which the users can utilize from their home. In addition, it will help users to become familiar with new technologies.

The Librarian may teach people to locate information with computerized catalogues of resources, called online public access catalogues (OPAC’s). The library must also provide Internet access and personal computers for general use.