Description

Current State

Overview and Summary

Small Town Library, located in a suburban area, serves a population of approximately 5,000 residents. The library's collection includes about 10,000 books, magazines, and digital media. Currently, the library uses a manual system for managing book loans, returns, and inventory, leading to inefficiencies and errors. Patrons often experience long wait times to check out books, and the library staff struggles to keep accurate records.

Problem Statement

The manual system for managing library operations is inefficient and prone to errors, resulting in:

1. Long wait times for patrons to check out and return books.

2. Difficulty in tracking overdue books.

3. Inaccurate inventory records.

4. Inadequate reporting capabilities for library management.

Objectives of the New Library Management System

1. Streamline the book check-out and return process to reduce wait times.

2. Implement an automated system to track overdue books and send reminders.

3. Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventory records.

4. Provide comprehensive reporting tools for library management.

Business Objectives and Success Criteria

Business Objective 1: Reduce average wait time for book check-out and returns to less than 5 minutes within 3 months of implementation.

Business Objective 2: Achieve 100% accuracy in inventory records within 6 months.

Business Objective 3: Increase patron satisfaction by 25% within 6 months, measured through feedback surveys.

Business Objective 4: Automate overdue book tracking and reminder notifications to improve book return rates by 20% within 3 months.

Future State

Client Requirements

1. The system shall provide a user-friendly interface for patrons to search for and reserve books online.

2. The system shall allow patrons to check out and return books using a self-service kiosk.

3. The system shall automatically update inventory records in real-time.

4. The system shall send automated reminders to patrons for overdue books.

5. The system shall generate reports on book loans, returns, and inventory status.

6. The system shall support different user roles, including patrons, librarians, and administrators.

System Requirements

Scalability and Performance: The system should support up to 1,000 active users at any time and process transactions quickly to avoid delays.

Usability: The user interface should be intuitive and easy to navigate for patrons of all ages.

Security: The system should ensure data privacy and secure access to patron information.