Briefing about the project

Library management System is a small program to manage library

which includes the task of:-

1) Adding new users, books and magazines/newspapers.

2) Updating Users, books and magazines/newspapers.

3) Deleting Users, books and magazines/newspapers.

4)Issuing Books.

5)Collecting Books back.

6)Searching for books, users.

7)Crystal Report Generation

In my project we will be able to classify users as staff or students.

Classifying users allows the book issue controls, fine rates based on the
classification. For example for students we will be able to issue 2 books
at the fine rate of Rs. 2 as late fee and 3 books at the fine rate of Rs. 1
for staffs. What more, we can change this settings based on our needs
but we have to set this values just one and not every time the program
starts. I have used my.settings class to implement this.

To use fewer windows forms I have implemented user control and it

has been a success to my knowledge but making the forms inter
related, which means the program will fail if you try to compile form 2
first instead of form 1. In my project most of the forms or controls
different functions based on the input from users given in form1(The
main Control Window). For Example the same form 5 is used to add,
update, and delete both books and users based on the selection made
in form1. The re-use of user control can be seen in form2 (Book Issue
form) as the same control det.vb is used to show user details and book
details and a user control dte.vb is used in form5 due to a major bug.

I have never learned SQL database so I was unable to use it and was
limited to MS access. I have not password protected the database as
the users will be able to view the database design, which is very basic.
Details of Windows Forms used in
Project
Login Form:-

This is a basic form where in users can register and login to the system
using the user name and password. I have done little work on it and
update it during next release.

Form1:-

The main Window of the system. You will be directed to respected

forms based on the user inputs. Those who wish to compile form2 first
instead of form1 will face issues; so ensure that form 1 is the first
window after login as the consecutive forms behaviour depends of form
one. I was able to achieve the fewer use of forms based on the this
dependency as based on the user inputs , certain label. Text in
consecutive forms is decided by form 1.

Form2:-

This Form is the book issue form. I have used a user control called
det.vb. This user control collects both user details book details based
on the label texts. The text change event is fired to allow fewer user
inputs. Here the listview shows the number of books issued and further
details. The Datetimepickers are disabled as to allow fair issue of
books. But books can be renewed but in future release I will include
renewal controls as to limit the renewals to allow fair distribution of
books. The time frame of book issue and maximum number of book
issue can be changed from form1.

Form3:

This form collects the book back and shows fine if any. User has to just
enter the book id and the text changed event is fired to show up the
details and fine is calculated based on fine rates. I am looking for a
code which allows different fine rates from week 2 as the fine amount
will be very huge.

Form4:-
This form is used to search book, user’s details but I am not satisfied
with its design and will upgrade it in future releases.(I made the update
and replaced datagridview with listview).

Form5:-

This form is re-used in the program. This form is used to add, update or
delete both books and users. I was able to achieve this based on the
label1.text which gets changed when a user clicks the respective
options from Form1.(This Form has been modified to a maximum
extend to fix a major bug)

Form6:-

This is just a about Form.

Form7:-

This is the settings Form where in the settings of the program can be
changed. But I have included a few and more can be included. I have
used my.settings to implement this. For more details just Google “user
settings”.

Form8:-

This form is to add Magazines and Newspapers. I have created a

different form for this as magazines and newspapers are periodic and
have many things to be taken care as you will see from the form 8
design.

Form10:-

This form shows the various shortcuts available in the system

Form11:-

This form is used to display crystal report. I have learned about crystal
report from a website www.vb.net-informations.com. This website is
very good and explains the things in a easy way. Try it.

My Future Plans
I am still in search of managing finance details of the library. I am
unable to feature out how to maintain the fine collected and
expenditure of library.

My database is very basic and I want to include more details like image
of the user and address.

Update Released
Few updates released is as follows

1) More Shortcuts have been included

2) Replacement of Datagridview with ListView (I am in love with it).The

listView control made many new features available.

3) Able to manage the courses of the college.

4) Lookup table introduced, which will allow users to search user id

based on name or userid and which can be extended to department
and year of the student. The same lookup table for books also.

4) Able to collect a book back when the user clicks on the book id from
issue form (which will ensure less movement around the system.

5) More finer Search Method and display.

Please provide me some suggestion

to improve the project.
Thanking You
Arun Kumar Nair
India