📚 Library Management System (MERN Stack)

A complete Library Management System built with MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, and Node.js. Features role-based access control with three user types (Admin, Librarian, Student), book management with Cloudinary image uploads, issue/return tracking, and automated fine calculations.

🌐 Live Demo

Check out the live demo of the project:https://library-management-app-karan.vercel.app/

Test Credentials:

• Admin: admin@example.com / admin123
• Librarian: librarian@example.com / lib123
• Student: student@example.com / student123

✨ Key Features

👨‍🎓 Student Features

• ✅ User registration & login with JWT authentication
• 🔍 Browse and search available books with images
• 📥 Request book issuance
• 📤 Submit return requests
• ⏳ View due dates and pending fines
• 📊 Personal dashboard with borrowing history

📚 Librarian Features

• ✔️ Approve/reject book issue requests
• ✔️ Manage return requests
• ➕ Add/Edit/Remove books with image uploads (Cloudinary)
• 👀 View all issued books
• 📊 Dashboard for Real-time Activity & Analytics

👨‍💼 Admin Features

• 👥 Manage all user accounts
• 🛡️ Assign librarian privileges
• 📊 System analytics dashboard

🛠️ Technology Stack

Frontend

• Core: React.js (v18.2) with Functional Components & Hooks
• Routing: React Router v6
• UI Framework: React Bootstrap v5.2 + Custom CSS
• HTTP Client: Axios for API communication
• Image Management: Cloudinary React SDK
• Notifications: React Toastify
• Icons: React Icons library
• Form Handling: React Hook Form
• State Management: Context API

Backend

• Runtime: Node.js v18.x
• Framework: Express.js v4.18
• Database: MongoDB Atlas (Cloud) with Mongoose ODM
• Authentication: JWT with Bcrypt password hashing
• Email Service: Nodemailer for OTP/password reset
• File Uploads: Multer + Cloudinary Node SDK

Development & Testing

• API Testing: Thunder Client (VS Code extension)
• API Documentation: Hopscotch
• Version Control: Git + GitHub

Deployment

• Frontend: Vercel (Edge Network)
• Backend: Render (Node.js Environment)
• Database: MongoDB Atlas (Cloud)
• Media Storage: Cloudinary CDN

🛠️ Installation

1. Clone the repository

Clone the project repository to your local machine using the following command:

git clone https://github.com/KaranMehta1806/Library-Management.git

2. Install Dependencies

Navigate to the frontend and backend directories, and install dependencies:

Backend (API)

1. Navigate to the api directory:

cd backend

2. Install backend dependencies:

npm install

Frontend (Client)

1. Navigate to the client directory:

cd frontend

2. Install frontend dependencies:

npm install

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3. Set Up Environment Variables

Create a .env file in api and add the following environment variables:

BACKEND .env file

EMAIL_USER=your_email_address
EMAIL_PASS=your_email_password
EMAIL_SERVICE=your_email_service
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string
JWT_SECRET=your_jwt_secret_key
CLOUD_NAME=your_cloud_name
CLOUD_API_KEY=your_cloud_api_key
CLOUD_API_SECRET=your_cloud_api_secret

FRONTEND .env file

VITE_BACKEND_URL=https://your-backend-url.onrender.com

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4. Start the Development Server

Once the dependencies are installed and the .env file is set up, you can start the development server with the following command:

Backend

Start the backend server by navigating to the backend directory and running the following command:

nodemon index.js

Frontend

Start the frontend server by navigating to the frontend directory and running the following command:

npm run dev

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📞 Contact

Feel free to connect with me through the following platforms: