1.1 Introduction
Automated library is a digitalized method of storing library resources and it is also a system for cataloging and retrieval of information in electronic books, journals and other media. A library is a collection of resources and services, and the structure in which it is housed; it is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution, or a private individual. A system or computer system can be said to be an electronic device or machine, which accept data, process programs and then produce a result output from the processed as information. Moreover, they said system is general purpose in use. It handles more volume of data. It is versatile accurate, efficient, very fast etc. when compared with manual approach of carrying out operation owing to the increase in the rate with which a timely and accurate information are being demanded, there is need to provide a system to supply the necessary information where and when it is needed.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Osun state polytechnic Iree was formerly a satellite campus of the Ibadan polytechnic, before Osun state was created in 12th, October 1992 by the former Head of state Gen Ibraheem Babaginda RTD) and the polytechnic became an autonomous on 2002 when the Governor of Osun state by then, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke signed the law establishing the institution alongside and as soon as Osun state polytechnic was established the library commission was also established immediately the polytechnic commenced their operation.
Information technology is an essential tool to library guest tracking. The faster and more effectively it works, the safer our business management is. Information system (IS) refers to a system that comprises of persons, data records and activities that process data and information in an organization, and it includes the organization's manual and automated processes. In a narrow sense, the term information system refers to the specific application software that is used to store data records in a computer system and automates some of the information-processing activities of the organization.
The term information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term has become very recognizable. The information technology umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. IT professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information database.
Since the first wave of computerization in the 1970's, the implementation of information technology within policing has been questioned and often met with resistance. The development of an information technology strategy must be viewed in the context of increasing expectations and pressure for reform within organizations.
The business environment in which libraries operate is changing; increased demands for efficiency has led to information technology being recognized as a valuable and innovative addition to guest tracking system.
Over the last decade, computer and telecommunication technologies have developed at an extraordinary rate. Increased computer power, advances in data transmission, attractive and user-friendly graphic interfaces present library with unprecedented capacity to collect, store, analyze and share data with stakeholders inside and outside of library.
Historically, the innovation of information systems has served as the catalyst for dramatic changes in the organization work and has presented both opportunities and challenges to operators. Some libraries have made tremendous efforts in creating databases for guest information system for security purposes.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation reveals the problems of the Automated Management Library System which entails that; due to 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 procedure is analyzed and is programmed using web based programming language in module are linked together in order to have a library system and because of its graphic user interface (G U I) feature displaying pictures and other standard objects. It’s choice for the system designing because it make file organization and calculation easy it’s also a popular language to stimulate most design system, most especially the database facilities so, it can store large volume of data.
1.4. Purpose of Study
The purpose of this project is to examine all the problems that faced both the library personnel especially the librarian, library Assistants, library attendant(s) and the library users, such as provides quick search facility to user who wishes to check for availability of a particular resources, it provides electronic means of storage, It help librarians keep track of library information etc.
1.5 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to design software that will Automate Management Library System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to design and develop a software that will:
- Minimize the cost of traveling from one place to another in visiting one or more libraries.
- Give users access to the library information at their own convenient time of the day.
- Minimize cost of getting hard copy of relevant materials from the library i.e. The users can view and read the soft copy o f the relevant materials through the displaying unit.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The software developed will be beneficial to the library management in so many ways: Maintain a centralized database for Guest records, Retrieve previous information on guest from the system easily using serial query language, Have a good surveillance on the guest information for security purposes, Know the number of guest they receive on daily basis, and Track the frequency of a guest visitation to the library.
The study will also automate and integrate system that will give library users opportunity to catalogue and retrieval of information in books, journals and other media and to digitalized method of storing library resources and to have access to different library information. The software developed will be beneficial to the library management in so many ways:
- Have a good surveillance on the guest information for security purposes
- Know the number of guest they receive on daily basis
- Track the frequency of a guest visitation to the library
Besides, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of this project is also the range or ambition of this work, which information is needed, the way the proposed system is used, the available technology willingness on the part of commission to change from the existing system to the new and some of this point will be fully explained in the subsequent chapter of the project.
The proposed system will cover the various kind of operation in the library system, some of the areas which the system will cover are: Library user log-in page, student information page assessment, student register e.t.c.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials
1.9 Definition of Terms
Arrival File: This is master file consisting of the guest name, companies name and address, state, country, nationality, profession etc. which also include the mode of payment to be used by the guest.
Database: This is the collection of related data/information
Guest: This guest are used in the contest of the work refers to individual, companies or corporate bodies that visited the library
Software: This is the logically written instruction that control the hardware.
