📚 Smart RFID Library Management System

An end-to-end Full-Stack IoT Library Management System powered by an ESP32 RFID Scanner, Node.js/Express Backend, PostgreSQL Database, and a real-time React Web Dashboard.

---

🎬 Demo Video & UI Screenshots

🎥 Video Demonstration

👉 Click here to watch the full project video demo on YouTube

---

📸 Application Screenshots

📊 1. Real-time Analytics & System Dashboard

💳 2. RFID Transactions Console & Operations Audit Log

👨‍🎓 3. Student Registration Modal

---

💡 What is this Project? (In Simple Words)

Imagine a modern school or university library where students don't need to manually fill out paper logs or wait in long lines to borrow or return books.

With this system:

1. Every student receives a smart RFID Card (like a keycard).
2. Every book in the library has an RFID Tag.
3. When a student taps their card or a book tag on the ESP32 Scanner, the system instantly identifies them, updates the library database, and displays real-time updates on the web dashboard!

---

🛠️ Technologies Used (Tech Stack Breakdown)

The project is split into three main components: Hardware (IoT), Backend (Server & Database), and Frontend (User Interface).

+------------------+         HTTP (WiFi)        +------------------+
|  ESP32 Hardware  | -------------------------> | Node.js Backend  |
| (RFID Reader+LCD)| <------------------------- | (Express/Prisma) |
+------------------+         JSON Resp          +--------+---------+
                                                         |
                                                Socket.IO| (Real-time)
                                                         v
                                                +------------------+
                                                | React Web App    |
                                                | (Live Dashboard) |
                                                +------------------+

---

1. 📡 Hardware / IoT (ESP32 Scanner)

The hardware unit acts as the physical scanner placed at the library checkout counter.

• ESP32 NodeMCU: Microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to handle network requests.
• RC522 RFID Reader: Reads 13.56 MHz RFID tags and cards using SPI communication.
• 16x2 LCD Display (with I2C Module): Displays real-time status messages (e.g., "Card Scanned", "Book Issued", "Access Denied").
• Buzzer & LEDs (Red/Green): Gives instant visual and audio feedback (sound beep & light signal when scanning).
• Arduino C++: Code flashed onto the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE with WiFi.h, HTTPClient.h, MFRC522, and LiquidCrystal_I2C.

---

2. ⚙️ Backend (Server & Database)

The backend handles the business logic, security, database storage, and real-time events.

• Node.js: JavaScript runtime engine.
• Express.js (v5): Web application framework for routing HTTP requests.
• PostgreSQL: Relational database storing students, books, transaction histories, and admin accounts.
• Prisma ORM: Modern database toolkit used to write type-safe queries and manage database migrations.
• Socket.IO (v4): Enables bidirectional real-time communication to immediately push scan events from backend to web dashboard.
• JWT (JSON Web Tokens): Secures admin API endpoints.
• Bcrypt.js: Hashes admin passwords for security.
• Cloudinary & Multer: Handles book cover and student profile image uploads.

---

3. 🎨 Frontend (Web Interface)

The web application allows library staff to manage books, view live transactions, and analyze library statistics.

• React (v19): Frontend library for building fast, component-based user interfaces.
• Vite: Super-fast build tool and development server.
• Tailwind CSS (v4): Utility-first CSS framework for modern styling and responsive layout.
• Socket.IO Client: Listens for live scanner events broadcasted by the server.
• Lucide React: Icon set for UI components.
• Framer Motion: Smooth micro-animations for page transitions and card views.
• Recharts: Data visualization library for rendering interactive charts and library reports.
• Axios: HTTP client for requesting data from the backend APIs.

---

🔄 How the System Works (Step-by-Step Workflow)

📌 Scenario A: Borrowing or Returning a Book via RFID

[Student/Book Tag] ---> (1. Tap RFID) ---> [ESP32 Scanner]
                                                |
                                    (2. Send HTTP POST /rfid/scan)
                                                v
[React Web App] <--- (4. WebSockets) --- [Express Backend Server]
(UI Updates Live)                               |
                                    (3. Query/Update DB via Prisma)
                                                v
                                        [PostgreSQL Database]

1. Tap RFID Tag: A student or library manager swipes an RFID tag/card near the RC522 scanner.
2. Read & Transmit: ESP32 extracts the unique RFID ID (rfidUid) and sends a POST request over Wi-Fi to https://<your-domain>/api/rfid/scan.
3. Database Processing:
   • The backend checks if the tag belongs to a Student or a Book.
   • If a student card is tapped, the backend marks the active student.
   • If a book tag is tapped, the backend checks out or returns the book depending on current status.
4. Real-time Notification (WebSockets): The backend emits a socket.emit('scan-event'). The React Dashboard instantly displays the result without needing a page refresh!
5. Physical Feedback: ESP32 receives the server response, beeps the buzzer (double-beep for success, long beep for error), lights up the Green/Red LED, and prints the result on the LCD screen.

---

🔌 API Endpoints (Detailed & Simple Explanation)

All backend endpoints are prefixed with /api. Here is how they work:

1. 🏥 Health Check API

• GET /health
  • What it does: Checks if the server is running and healthy.
  • Response: { "status": "ok" }

---

2. 🔐 Authentication APIs (/api/auth)

Method	Endpoint	Description	Easy Explanation
POST	/api/auth/register	Register new Admin	Create a new librarian account with username & password
POST	/api/auth/login	Login Admin	Authenticates admin and returns a JWT security token
GET	/api/auth/me	Get Profile	Fetches details of the currently logged-in admin

---

3. 👨‍🎓 Student Management APIs (/api/students)

Method	Endpoint	Description	Easy Explanation
GET	/api/students	Get all students	Returns list of all registered students & their RFID UIDs
POST	/api/students	Add new student	Registers a new student and assigns an RFID tag
GET	/api/students/:id	Get student details	Fetches single student record with transaction history
PUT	/api/students/:id	Update student	Edits student name, ID, or RFID card assignment
DELETE	/api/students/:id	Soft delete student	Deactivates student record

---

4. 📖 Book Management APIs (/api/books)

Method	Endpoint	Description	Easy Explanation
GET	/api/books	Get all books	Retrieves full catalog of library books & availability
POST	/api/books	Add new book	Adds a new book entry attached with an RFID tag
GET	/api/books/:id	Get book details	Displays book info, availability state, and history
PUT	/api/books/:id	Update book	Updates title, author, ISBN, image, or RFID tag
DELETE	/api/books/:id	Soft delete book	Removes book from active catalog

---

5. 💳 Library & RFID Transaction APIs (/api)

Method	Endpoint	Description	Easy Explanation
POST	/api/rfid/scan	RFID Scan Endpoint	Main Hardware API! Called by ESP32 when an RFID card is tapped
POST	/api/borrow-book	Borrow Book	Manually issue a book to a student from web interface
POST	/api/return-book	Return Book	Process book return & calculate any overdue fines
GET	/api/dashboard	Dashboard Overview	Summarizes total books, issued books, active students, etc.
GET	/api/transactions	Transaction History	Lists all past borrow and return activities
GET	/api/transactions/overdue	Overdue Books	Displays books that haven't been returned on time
DELETE	/api/transactions/:id	Remove Transaction	Deletes transaction record

---

6. 📊 Reports & Analytics APIs (/api/reports)

Method	Endpoint	Description	Easy Explanation
GET	/api/reports/summary	Library Analytics	Generates statistics for charts (most borrowed books, active users)
GET	/api/reports/logs	System Activity Logs	Detailed log history of scan events and library activity

---

🚀 Step-by-Step Installation & Setup Guide

📋 Prerequisites

Make sure you have installed:

• Node.js (v18+)
• PostgreSQL Database
• Arduino IDE (for ESP32 programming)

---

Step 1: Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/your-username/smart-rfid-library.git
cd smart-rfid-library

---

Step 2: Set Up Backend Server (library-back-end)

1. Open a terminal and enter the backend directory:

   cd library-back-end

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Create a .env file in library-back-end/:

   PORT=3000
   DATABASE_URL="postgresql://username:password@localhost:5432/library_db?schema=public"
   JWT_SECRET="your_secret_jwt_key"
   CLOUDINARY_CLOUD_NAME="your_cloud_name"
   CLOUDINARY_API_KEY="your_api_key"
   CLOUDINARY_API_SECRET="your_api_secret"

4. Run Prisma database migrations & seed database:

   npx prisma migrate dev --name init
   npm run seed

5. Start backend development server:

   npm run dev

   Server will run at: http://localhost:3000

---

Step 3: Set Up Web Frontend (front-end)

1. Open a new terminal window and navigate to the frontend directory:

   cd front-end

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Create a .env file in front-end/:

   VITE_API_URL="http://localhost:3000/api"
   VITE_SOCKET_URL="http://localhost:3000"

4. Run the frontend development server:

   npm run dev

   Frontend will open at: http://localhost:5173

---

Step 4: Flash ESP32 RFID Scanner Code (esp32-rfid-scanner)

1. Open Arduino IDE.
2. Install necessary libraries from Tools > Manage Libraries:
   • MFRC522 by githubmfrc522
   • LiquidCrystal_I2C by Frank de Brabander
   • ArduinoJson by Benoit Blanchon
3. Open esp32-rfid-scanner/esp32-rfid-scanner.ino.
4. Update Wi-Fi credentials & server backend URL:

   const char* ssid = "YOUR_WIFI_NAME";
   const char* password = "YOUR_WIFI_PASSWORD";
   const char* serverUrl = "http://<YOUR_LAPTOP_IP>:3000/api/rfid/scan";

5. Connect ESP32 via USB, select Board ESP32 Dev Module, and click Upload.

---

🎛 Hardware Wiring Schematic Guide

Component	Pin on Component	ESP32 Pin
RFID RC522	SDA (SS)	GPIO 5
RFID RC522	SCK	GPIO 18
RFID RC522	MOSI	GPIO 23
RFID RC522	MISO	GPIO 19
RFID RC522	RST	GPIO 4
RFID RC522	3.3V & GND	3.3V & GND
LCD 16x2 I2C	SDA	GPIO 21
LCD 16x2 I2C	SCL	GPIO 22
LCD 16x2 I2C	VCC & GND	5V & GND
Green LED	Anode (+)	GPIO 12
Red LED	Anode (+)	GPIO 13
Buzzer	Signal (+)	GPIO 2

---

✨ Key Features Summary

• ✅ Automated RFID Checkout: Tap card to borrow or return books instantly.
• ⚡ Real-time Synchronization: Socket.IO notifies the web app as soon as a card is scanned.
• 📱 Full Mobile & Multi-Device Responsiveness: Seamless off-canvas navigation drawer, adaptive modals, scrollable tables, and touch-friendly controls across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and ultra-wide screens.
• 📊 Smart Dashboard: Displays live counts, borrow trends, overdue alerts, and system health.
• 🔐 Secure Access: JWT-based authentication for administrative actions.
• 🖥️ Hardware Status Feedback: Visual (LEDs/LCD) & Audio (Buzzer) response directly on hardware.

---

📜 License

This project is open-source and available under the ISC License.