Abstract:

The Book Sharing Platform is a web-based community application that allows users to share and borrow both physical and digital books. Each registered user can act as both a sharer (when listing books) and a borrower (when requesting books). For physical books, the system not only tracks availability but also provides a simple communication mechanism for users to schedule offline exchanges (date, time, location). For digital books, the system supports uploads/downloads with logical "return" tracking. The project demonstrates essential full-stack concepts: user authentication, CRUD operations, request workflows, and database design using Flask and SQLite.

Functional Requirements:

✦ User Management

• Users can register, log in, and manage their profile.
• User roles: Member (default): Can share books and borrow books. Admin: Can manage all books and users, and remove inappropriate content.

✦ Book Management

• Add new books with details: title, author, category, type (physical/digital).
• For physical books: include location/availability notes.
• For digital books: upload file (e.g., PDF) or provide a download link.
• Edit or delete only books added by the logged-in user.

✦ Borrowing & Returning Workflow

• Members can search/filter books by title, author, or category.
• Borrow Request: Borrower clicks "Request to Borrow". A small form appears to propose date, time, and location for exchange. Request is stored in the database and sent to the owner's dashboard.
• Owner Actions: View incoming requests. Accept, reject, or suggest an alternative (edit request fields).
• Borrow Confirmation: Once accepted, system marks book as Borrowed. Borrow request details (date, time, location) are visible to both users.
• Returning: Physical books: Owner marks as Returned. Digital books: Borrower clicks Mark as Returned (or system auto-returns after 7 days). Book status always flows as: Available → Borrowed → Available.

✦ User Dashboard

• My Books (Shared): Books added by the user + requests from others.
• Borrowed Books: Books borrowed by the user + scheduled exchange details.

✦ Admin Dashboard

• View all listed books.
• Remove duplicate/inappropriate entries.
• Manage or block abusive users.

How Sharing & Borrowing Works:

Physical Books:

1. Sharing: Member adds details → marked Available.
2. Borrowing: Borrower submits request with proposed date, time, and location.
3. Scheduling: Owner reviews and accepts/rejects/suggests changes.
4. Exchange: Actual handover offline → system marks book as Borrowed.
5. Returning: Owner marks as Returned once the book is received back.

Digital Books:

1. Sharing: Member uploads file or adds download link.
2. Borrowing: Borrower clicks Borrow → download allowed, status Borrowed.
3. Returning: Borrower clicks Mark as Returned (or system auto-returns after 7 days).