Our public library in Smallsville is in need of a computer system to help keep track of who checks books in and out, as well as to keep track of fines and print reports for us. We have been making out fine for years recording the information by hand, but Sally and Mary just dont have the handwriting they used to, especially at 72 and 81, respectively. Our new librarian, Marcus, is young and energetic, and just doesnt have the patience to keep handwritten records. As head librarian he wants to be able to do more for our community than just keep track of books, so he wants to be able to mail out notices of special events and the like. Therefore, he has made note of the items he thinks need to be included in this system. Keep in mind that he knows very little about computers, so he has probably left some things out. Please feel free to make any additions or corrections that you feel are absolutely necessary. Also bear in mind that we are a small town, and do not have an unlimited budget for such a system or the training required to use it. A single PC should suffice for our needs right now, but we might want to grow to two or three, connected together, in a couple of years.

Here are the main items that are needed: a. Add a new library patron and be able to edit their basic information b. Remove a patron. Ensure that the patron has no books borrowed and no unpaid fines before deleting them. Provide notice appropriately. c. Print a list of all patrons (in some sensible order). d. Print a list of all patrons with outstanding fines. e. Add a new book to the catalog. Be able to edit basic book info. f. Remove a book from the catalog. Ensure no one has it borrowed. Notify appropriately and do not delete if out. g. Record a book as lost. h. Record that a particular patron is borrowing a particular book. i. Record that someone has returned a particular book. Report any fines owing and update patron account. j. Record that a patron has paid some money toward his or her outstanding fines. k. Print all overdue books, and who has them. l. Print address mailing labels