Project Proposal

Department of Computer Science

CECOS University of IT and Emerging Sciences

Library Management System

Sir Kashif Aman

Project Group Members:

Abdul Samad CU-5105

Ishaq Ahmad CU-5089

Semester:
Spring 2025
 1. Problem Statement:

Managing a library manually can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. It is

challenging to keep track of book inventories, user registrations, issued books, and returns
without an automated system. These inefficiencies can lead to misplaced books, delayed
returns, and unsatisfactory user experiences.

2. Introduction:

A Library Management System (LMS) is a software application designed to streamline the

operations of a library by providing an organized and automated solution for managing
books, users, and transactions. Traditional library management methods rely on manual
record-keeping, which can be inefficient, time-consuming, and prone to errors. With an
LMS, libraries can maintain an accurate and easily accessible database of books and users,
reducing administrative workload and enhancing operational efficiency.

By automating essential tasks such as adding books, registering users, issuing and returning
books, and displaying records, the system eliminates the inefficiencies of manual
processes. It ensures accurate tracking of resources, prevents book misplacement, and
provides a structured approach to library management. Additionally, the LMS offers a user-
friendly interface for both librarians and library users, making it easier to search for books,
check availability, and manage transactions seamlessly.

This project leverages C++ programming to create a robust and efficient console-based
LMS that delivers high performance and reliability. C++ provides the necessary
computational speed and flexibility to handle book and user data effectively. The system
is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized libraries, offering a scalable solution that
can be expanded with additional functionalities as required. With features that optimize
workflow, improve accuracy, and enhance user experience, this LMS serves as a vital tool
for modernizing library operations and ensuring better service delivery to users.
 3. Objectives

 Automate Library Operations: The system aims to fully automate the management
of library books and users, reducing manual labor and minimizing errors. This includes
automated tracking of book availability, user registrations, and transactional operations
like issuing and returning books.
 Simplify Book and User Registration: One of the primary objectives is to enable
effortless addition of new books and the seamless registration of library users. The
system is designed to capture and store essential details accurately, ensuring that every
book and user is uniquely identified and easily retrievable.
 Streamline Book Issuing and Returning Processes: The system is structured to allow
for a seamless and efficient process for issuing and returning books. It incorporates
necessary validations to check book availability and user eligibility, thereby ensuring a
smooth transaction every time a book is borrowed or returned.
 Maintain Accurate Records: A key goal is to maintain an up-to-date record of all
library books along with their current statuses. This involves continuous monitoring of
the inventory and updating the records in real-time to reflect the latest status of each
book.
 Enhance User Experience: The system is designed to provide user-friendly options
for both librarians and users. It offers intuitive interfaces and clear instructions, making
it simple to view detailed information about books and users, thereby enhancing the
overall user experience in the library environment.

.
 4. Scope:

This project is suitable for small to medium-sized libraries. It supports functionalities such
as book management, user management, issuing and returning books, and displaying
records of books and users. The system will be implemented as a console-based
application.

5. Functional Requirements:

 Book Management:
o The system shall enable the addition of new books by capturing essential
details such as the unique book ID, title, author, and category.
o It shall display a comprehensive list of all books along with their current
statuses, clearly indicating whether each book is available or issued.
 User Management:
o The system shall facilitate the registration of new users by capturing a unique
user ID and the user’s name.
o It shall display detailed user information, including the list of books currently
borrowed by each user.
 Issuing Books:
o The system shall allow for the issuing of a book to a registered user, provided
that the book is available.
o Upon issuing a book, the system shall update the book’s status to “issued”
and record the transaction in the user’s borrowed list.
 Returning Books:
o The system shall support the process of returning a book that has been
previously issued to a user.
o Upon the return of a book, the system shall update the book’s status to
“available” and remove the corresponding entry from the user’s borrowed
list.
 6. Non-Functional Requirements:

 The system shall provide a simple, intuitive interface that enhances user experience
and facilitates easy navigation.
 It shall include robust error handling to manage scenarios such as invalid inputs or
attempts to issue books that are not available.

7. Technology Stack:

The system is developed using C++, a high-performance, object-oriented programming

language renowned for its efficiency and robust control over system resources. C++ was
chosen due to its ability to handle complex operations and its suitability for developing
scalable applications. This makes it an ideal choice for building a responsive and efficient
Library Management System. The development leverages several key C++ Standard
Libraries, which provide essential functionalities and streamline various aspects of the
application:

 <iostream>: Utilized for input and output operations, this library facilitates
communication with the console, allowing the system to display messages, prompt
user inputs, and manage data flow effectively.
 <fstream>: This library enables file handling capabilities, which are critical for
operations such as saving, reading, and updating persistent records. It supports the
future expansion of the system to include file-based data storage.
 <string>: Providing robust string manipulation functionalities, the <string> library
allows for efficient handling of textual data, such as book titles, author names, and
user details.
 <vector>: Employed for dynamic array management, the <vector> library offers
flexibility in handling collections of data. It is used to manage lists of books and
users, ensuring that the system can efficiently add, remove, and access elements as
needed.
 8. System Features

 Book Class:

The Book Class is at the core of the library's inventory management. It is responsible for
storing and managing all the details related to each book, including its unique identification
number, title, author, and category. Beyond simple data storage, the class implements key
operations such as displaying comprehensive book details, marking a book as issued when
borrowed, and updating its status to available once returned.

 User Class:

The User Class plays a pivotal role in managing the library's patron data. It is designed to
store critical information such as the user's unique identification number and name, while
also maintaining a dynamic list of borrowed books. Through dedicated methods, the class
handles user-specific operations like borrowing a book, returning a book, and displaying
user details alongside their current borrowed list. This design ensures that every transaction
related to a user is tracked accurately, providing a clear picture of user activity and
simplifying any necessary follow-ups.

 Library Class:

Serving as the central orchestrator, the Library Class integrates the functionalities of both
the Book and User classes to deliver a cohesive library management solution. It provides a
comprehensive suite of methods that allow the system to add new books and register users
seamlessly. Additionally, it manages the critical operations of issuing and returning books
by coordinating between the book’s availability status and the user’s borrowing records.
The Library Class also includes features for displaying complete records of all books and
users, ensuring that librarians have a clear and immediate overview of the library's
inventory and user interactions. This integration facilitates a smooth workflow and
provides a solid foundation for further enhancements or scalability.
 9. Implementation Details:

The program employs a menu-driven approach to facilitate user interaction and provide a
structured workflow. Upon launch, the system displays a primary menu where users are
presented with various options corresponding to specific functionalities. Each menu option
is clearly labeled, allowing users to easily navigate through the available operations. Here
is an expanded breakdown of each feature:

 Add Book:

When the user selects this option, the program prompts for detailed information about the
new book, including the book ID, title, author, and category. Input validation is performed
to ensure that the data entered meets the required formats. Once the details are confirmed,
the book is added to the library's collection, and the system updates its records accordingly.

 Add User:

This option enables the registration of a new library user. The system requests essential
information such as the user’s unique ID and name. After validating the inputs, the user’s
data is stored in the system, ensuring that the individual is properly registered and can later
borrow books from the library.

 Issue Book:

The book issuing process involves several checks to maintain data integrity. Upon selecting
this option, the user is asked to provide both the user ID and the book ID. The system
verifies that the user is registered and that the specified book is available (i.e., not already
issued to another user). If the checks pass, the book's status is updated to reflect that it is
now issued, and the user’s record is updated to include the newly borrowed book.
  Return Book:

This feature is designed to streamline the process of returning borrowed books. The user
must enter both the user ID and the book ID. The program then verifies that the book was
indeed borrowed by the user. If the verification is successful, the book’s status is changed
back to available, and the record of the borrowed book is removed from the user’s list. This
ensures that the system accurately reflects the current status of the library’s inventory.

 Display All Books:

Selecting this option triggers the program to compile and present a complete list of all the
books in the system. The display includes comprehensive details such as the book ID, title,
author, and category, along with the current status (available or issued). This functionality
is crucial for both librarians and users to quickly assess the library’s inventory.

 Display All Users:

This option allows for a full listing of registered users along with their corresponding
details. The output includes user IDs, names, and a list of books each user has currently
borrowed. This feature aids in tracking user activity and ensuring that records remain
accurate and up-to-date.

 Exit:

The final option provides a clean exit from the application. When selected, the program
gracefully terminates all running processes and exits, ensuring that all data is properly
saved and that no abrupt interruptions occur.

This detailed, menu-driven design not only makes the system user-friendly but also ensures
that all library operations are performed efficiently and accurately. The logical flow and
comprehensive checks embedded in each operation enhance the system’s reliability and
overall performance.
 10. Code Overview:

The system is implemented using object-oriented programming principles. Key

components include:

 Book Class:
o Attributes: bookID, title, author, category, isIssued
o Methods: displayBookDetails, getBookID, getIsIssued,
issueBook, returnBook
 User Class:
o Attributes: userID, name, borrowedBooks
o Methods: borrowBook, returnBook, displayUserDetails,
getUserID
 Library Class:
o Attributes: books, users
o Methods: addBook, addUser, issueBook, returnBook,
displayAllBooks, displayAllUsers

11. Expected Outcomes:

The Library Management System is expected to manage library resources efficiently,

ensuring accurate tracking of book availability and user borrowing records. It will
streamline the process of issuing and returning books, reducing the need for manual
intervention. The system aims to enhance user experience through a simple and intuitive
console interface, while eliminating common errors associated with manual library
management. Additionally, the solution is designed to be scalable, allowing for the
integration of new features in the future.