Library Management System

A comprehensive library management system built with Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, and React.js. This system supports individual and group borrowing, fine calculation, feedback management, and admin dashboard.

🏗️ Project Structure

libraryManagementSystem/
├── server/                 # Backend API (Node.js + Express + MongoDB)
│   ├── models/            # MongoDB models
│   ├── routes/            # API routes
│   ├── middleware/        # Authentication middleware
│   ├── utils/             # Utility functions
│   ├── server.js          # Main server file
│   ├── package.json       # Server dependencies
│   └── env.example        # Server environment variables
├── client/                # Frontend (React + Create React App)
│   ├── public/            # Static files
│   ├── src/               # React source code
│   │   ├── components/    # Reusable components
│   │   ├── pages/         # Page components
│   │   ├── services/      # API services
│   │   ├── contexts/      # React contexts
│   │   └── hooks/         # Custom hooks
│   ├── package.json       # Client dependencies
│   └── env.example        # Client environment variables
└── README.md              # This file

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v16 or higher)
• MongoDB (local or cloud instance)
• npm or yarn

1. Install Dependencies

Server Dependencies

cd server
npm install

Client Dependencies

cd client
npm install

2. Environment Setup

Server Environment

# Copy server environment file
cp server/env.example server/.env

# Edit server/.env with your configuration
NODE_ENV=development
PORT=5000

# MongoDB Configuration
# For local MongoDB:
# MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017/library_management

# For MongoDB Atlas (recommended):
MONGODB_URI=mongodb+srv://username:password@cluster.mongodb.net/library_management?retryWrites=true&w=majority

JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret_key_here
JWT_EXPIRE=7d

# Email configuration for notifications
EMAIL_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
EMAIL_PORT=587
EMAIL_USER=your_email@gmail.com
EMAIL_PASS=your_app_password

# Admin credentials
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@library.com
ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin123

📚 Need help setting up MongoDB Atlas? Check out our detailed MongoDB Atlas Setup Guide

Client Environment

# Copy client environment file
cp client/env.example client/.env

# Edit client/.env with your configuration
REACT_APP_API_URL=http://localhost:5000/api

3. Start the Application

Start Server (Terminal 1)

cd server
npm run dev

Start Client (Terminal 2)

cd client
npm start

4. Access the Application

• Frontend: http://localhost:3000
• Backend API: http://localhost:5000
• API Health Check: http://localhost:5000/api/health

📋 Available Scripts

Server Scripts (from server/ directory)

• npm start - Start the server in production mode
• npm run dev - Start the server in development mode with nodemon

Client Scripts (from client/ directory)

• npm start - Start the client development server
• npm run build - Build the client for production
• npm test - Run client tests
• npm run eject - Eject from Create React App (not recommended)

🎯 Features

✅ Core Features

• User Authentication (JWT-based)
• Book Management (CRUD operations)
• Individual Book Borrowing
• Group Book Borrowing (3-6 members)
• Fine Calculation System
• Feedback System
• Admin Dashboard
• Email Notifications

✅ Book Management

• Each book has 3 copies available
• Real-time availability tracking
• Book search and filtering
• Genre-based categorization
• ISBN validation

✅ Borrowing System

• 1-month borrowing duration
• Individual and group borrowing support
• Automatic due date calculation
• Overdue book tracking
• Return condition tracking

✅ Fine System

• ₹50 fine for overdue books
• 200% of book cost + ₹50 for lost books after 1 month
• 200% of book cost for lost books within 1 month
• 10% fine for minor damage
• 50% fine for major damage
• Group fines distributed equally among members

✅ Group Management

• Groups can have 3-6 members
• Group leader management
• Leadership transfer
• Group disbanding with proper checks

✅ Admin Features

• User management
• Book management
• Borrow record tracking
• Fine management
• Feedback moderation
• Dashboard analytics

✅ Automated Features

• Daily overdue book checks (cron jobs)
• Email notifications for fines and overdue books
• Automatic fine calculation
• Book availability updates

🗄️ Database Schema

Collections

• users: User information and authentication
• books: Book catalog and availability
• borrowRecords: Borrowing history and fine tracking
• groups: Group information and member management
• feedback: User feedback and ratings

🔧 API Endpoints

Authentication

• POST /api/auth/register - Register new user
• POST /api/auth/login - User login
• GET /api/auth/me - Get current user
• PUT /api/auth/profile - Update user profile

Books

• GET /api/books - Get all books (with search and filters)
• GET /api/books/:id - Get single book
• POST /api/books - Create book (Admin only)
• PUT /api/books/:id - Update book (Admin only)
• DELETE /api/books/:id - Delete book (Admin only)

Borrowing

• POST /api/borrow/individual - Borrow book individually
• POST /api/borrow/group - Borrow book for group
• PUT /api/borrow/return/:id - Return book
• GET /api/borrow/history - Get borrow history
• GET /api/borrow/current - Get current borrowings

Groups

• POST /api/groups - Create group
• GET /api/groups/my-group - Get user's group
• PUT /api/groups/:id/add-member - Add member to group
• PUT /api/groups/:id/remove-member - Remove member from group

Feedback

• POST /api/feedback - Submit feedback
• GET /api/feedback - Get all public feedback
• GET /api/feedback/my-feedback - Get user's feedback

Admin

• GET /api/admin/dashboard - Get dashboard statistics
• GET /api/admin/users - Get all users
• GET /api/admin/borrow-records - Get all borrow records
• PUT /api/admin/feedback/:id/status - Update feedback status

🎨 Frontend Features

✅ User Interface

• Responsive design with CSS
• Modern React components
• Form validation with Formik + Yup
• Toast notifications
• Loading states and error handling

✅ Pages Implemented

• Login/Register pages
• Dashboard with statistics
• Book catalog with search
• Book detail page
• My Books (borrowing history)
• Groups management
• Feedback system
• User profile
• Admin dashboard
• Admin book management
• Admin user management
• Admin borrow records
• Admin feedback management

🔐 Security Features

• JWT-based authentication
• Password hashing with bcrypt
• Role-based access control
• Input validation and sanitization
• CORS configuration
• Environment variable protection

📧 Email Notifications

• Welcome emails for new users
• Overdue book notifications
• Fine notifications with detailed breakdown
• Admin notifications for system events

🚀 Deployment

Backend Deployment

1. Set up MongoDB database (local or cloud)
2. Configure environment variables in server/.env
3. Deploy the server/ directory to your preferred platform
4. Ensure MongoDB connection is accessible

Frontend Deployment

1. Build the React app: npm run build-client
2. Deploy the client/build folder to your hosting platform
3. Update API URL in client/.env for production

Full Stack Deployment

1. Deploy server to your backend platform
2. Deploy client to your frontend platform
3. Update client environment variables to point to production API

🧪 Testing

Manual Testing Checklist

• User registration and login
• Book browsing and search
• Individual book borrowing
• Group creation and management
• Group book borrowing
• Book return with different conditions
• Fine calculation and payment
• Feedback submission
• Admin dashboard functionality
• Email notifications

📝 Default Admin Account

After setting up the system, you can create an admin account using the API:

curl -X POST http://localhost:5000/api/admin/create-admin \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ADMIN_TOKEN" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Admin User",
    "email": "admin@library.com",
    "password": "admin123",
    "phone": "1234567890",
    "address": "Admin Address"
  }'

🆘 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. MongoDB Connection Error

   • Ensure MongoDB is running
   • Check connection string in server/.env
   • Verify network access if using cloud MongoDB

2. Email Notifications Not Working

   • Check email configuration in server/.env
   • Verify SMTP credentials
   • Test with a simple email service first

3. Frontend Not Connecting to Backend

   • Verify REACT_APP_API_URL in client/.env
   • Check if backend server is running
   • Ensure CORS is properly configured

4. Authentication Issues

   • Check JWT_SECRET in server/.env
   • Verify token expiration settings
   • Clear browser localStorage if needed

📚 Additional Resources

• MongoDB Documentation
• Express.js Documentation
• React Documentation
• Create React App Documentation

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Test thoroughly
5. Submit a pull request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

---

Happy Coding! 🎉

For any issues or questions, please check the troubleshooting section or create an issue in the repository.