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OOP Library Management System

A Python notebook that applies object-oriented programming concepts to build a simple library management system using classes and object interactions.

Β·4 min read

By Davina Leong

πŸ“š Introduction: From Objects to Systems

After learning how to model simple objects with classes, the next step is learning how objects interact to form a system.

This notebook introduces an OOP-based Library Management System, applying object-oriented principles to represent books, libraries, and actions such as borrowing and returning. It’s a meaningful step from isolated classes to coordinated behaviour.

This is where OOP starts to feel practical.


🎯 Purpose: Applying OOP to Real Scenarios

The goal of this notebook is to help learners understand how to:

  • Model real-world entities as classes
  • Separate responsibilities across objects
  • Use methods to control system behaviour
  • Manage state through object interactions

Rather than focusing on syntax, this notebook focuses on design thinking.


🧠 How It Works: Object Interactions

At a high level, the system is designed around multiple objects:

  1. A Book class to represent individual books
  2. A Library class to manage collections of books
  3. Methods to borrow and return books
  4. Internal state tracking for availability

Each object has a clear role, and the system emerges from their interaction.


🧩 The Technical Part: Classes and Responsibilities

A simplified version of the structure looks like this:

class Book:
    def __init__(self, title):
        self.title = title
        self.is_borrowed = False
class Library:
    def __init__(self):
        self.books = []

    def borrow_book(self, title):
        for book in self.books:
            if book.title == title and not book.is_borrowed:
                book.is_borrowed = True
                print("Book borrowed")
                return
        print("Book not available")

πŸ” What This Demonstrates

  • 🧱 Classes encapsulate both data and behaviour
  • πŸ” Objects collaborate to enforce rules
  • 🧠 State lives inside objects, not global variables
  • πŸ›  Methods act as controlled entry points

This mirrors how backend systems are structured.


πŸ’‘ Key Takeaways: Why OOP Shines Here

This notebook reinforces key object-oriented ideas:

  • πŸ“¦ Objects represent real-world entities
  • 🧭 Responsibilities are clearly defined
  • πŸ”„ State changes are controlled and predictable
  • 🧠 Systems become easier to extend and reason about

This is exactly why OOP is widely used in large applications.


🏁 Conclusion: Designing with Objects

The OOP Library Management System represents a major conceptual shift:

You’re no longer just writing code β€” you’re designing a system of collaborating objects.

With this foundation, learners are ready to explore:

  • Inheritance (e.g. different book types)
  • User objects and permissions
  • Persistence (saving data)
  • Full application architectures

This notebook is a strong signal of software design maturity.


πŸ”— Link to Notebook

Notebook link: Coming Soon

PythonJupyter NotebookObject-Oriented ProgrammingOOPMini ProjectSystem Design Basics
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