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where to get this info? can somebody sheds some light

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2003 11:31 am
by crazytopu
hi!

i am in trouble. I am to develop an online library system as part of my course work and spent so much time on searching info on funcitonal requirements of such an automated system.

as a user or client of the system what kind of requirements you might think to list?

any relevant web site that has stuctured such requirement both functional and non functional? pls help.

topu

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2003 2:19 pm
by m3mn0n

can you think of any more requirement?

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 2:13 am
by crazytopu
Can you think of any more essential features that my library system must support?

Here are some that i listed:



Integrated Library System - Functional Requirements:


IBCS-PRIMAX Institute of Technology is planning to launch a new integrated library system (ILS) featuring a powerful, web-based catalog that enhances access to the library’s collections and services. The new library catalog should offer:


· new search and browse functionality,
· the ability to mark, save and e-mail records,
· customizable preferences for displaying records,
· the ability to combine search sets.

The features that are of utmost importance to the library systems are outlined below:

From the users perspective:

Operations:

Users should be able to check to see if a book is in inventory, preferably from home or from any computer connected to the net.

They should be able to search the current book stock by title, author, subject, or keyword.

They should be able to request issue of books - at best two at a time.

They should be able to see which books they currently have checked out are due plus the date by which they should return these books.

The users should be notified via e-mail when the due time exceeds.
In case the users fail to return the book in due time they should be fined for each extra day.

The fine rate should be visible to the users so that they know upfront how much it might cost them if they are not able to return a book on time and can make any informed decision whether to keep the book for longer.

Another important implication is that users would not be uninformed about the fine rate if management decides to change it.

Users should be able to place holds on books that are out of stock;

Users should be able to reserve a book that is yet to arrive in the inventory.

Users should be notified via e-mail when a book on hold becomes available.

User should be able to reserve a book from the list of new books that are yet to arrive in the library.

Users should be able to submit questions, comments, and suggestions to the library in a variety of ways – preferably as open comment.

Connecting to Library resources from any computer should require the user to enter the username as listed on their Library Membership Card and any associated password.

This password should be changeable from time to time by the individual users and this feature should come under the user account page.

*Users should be able to pay library fees online with a credit card (to avoid the nasty looks from the librarian nazis)

Users should be able to post message on the library forum.

Should include real-time chat feature where the users will be able to talk to each other on various issues.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
* = Not so important requirement, can be treated as an additional feature once the basic functionality have been developed.


From the management perspective:

Operations:

The librarian should have an account non sharable with any management staff and protected by a password.

This account should offer all the administrator privileges to the librarian for example:

Issuing membership to a valid applicant.

Checking which books have been checked out from the library.

Checking the member status of any member.

Should be able to check the frequency of request made


The librarian should be able to change the password anytime.

The library management should be able to change the fine rate anytime and it should reflect immediately on calculating fine for any notification made to the users.


From the system’s perspective:

In addition to running the IBCS Library Catalog, the new Integrated Library System should be able to manage the Libraries' circulation, cataloging and acquisitions.

This Library software systems should have the power, flexibility, and ability to deliver services.

The library catalog should be available to anyone. However, selecting a database or other electronic resource link from a catalog record should launch the login screen.

Users have to log in once per session. When a user logs off her current online session, the system should not remember her user name and password any longer, so the authentication box should appear again when she reconnect and try to connect to a library resource.

The library resources should be in the right place and in the correct order including online journals, and online books.

The integrated library system should provide access to library resources from any location, including from computers geographically apart.

There should be provision for notice to be placed by management and made viewable users each time the log on. Easy mechanism should be used so that management staff does not have to do much to simply post a notice or delete the previous one.

yah i got one more

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2003 2:29 am
by crazytopu
yah! i got one more ...here it is:

one requirement from the management perspective could be :

The system should produce a report, which lists the frequency of searches on any particular book. It will help the library management on acquiring the most demandable books quickly.