Competitive Examinations Centre being augmented

The Competitive Examinations Centre of the District Central Library is being augmented, on a need-based manner, with books and study materials required for preparation for competitive examinations.

The local library authority is exercising flexibility granted by the Directorate of Public Libraries in placing orders for books sought by the candidates as the requirements keep changing, A.P. Sivakumar, District Library Officer, said.

Footfall of candidates preparing for the examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, and the Teachers' Recruitment Board exceeds 100 on normal days and hovers around 250 to 300 during the weeks preceding such examinations.

Though readers' circles have not been formed as yet for the purpose of preparing for the examinations, active group study activities in an academic-friendly environment is noticeable, the DLO said adding that visitors also make optimal use of the lending section where 600 books are issued every day.

Free coaching was conducted for one and a half months for candidates appearing for the TNPSC Group 2 A exam, through tie-up with an IAS Academy.

Measures are in place to extend the initiative to cover candidates aspiring to appear for UPSC exams, Mr. Sivakumar said. For the convenience of the candidates, the periodicals and dailies section is kept open even on weekly holidays.

There are also a good number of aspirants of competitive examinations who bring their own books to study at the library. The candidates for competitive exams will soon be apprised through awareness sessions on the wide range of e-resources and e-journals they can access from Delnet, he added.