Libraries in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam are attracting visitors in droves, as job-hunting candidates prepare for tests and interviews advertised by government, banks and public sector organisations.
At Gurajada Library in Vizianagaram, there is an added attraction for those doing such intensive preparation: Kindle e-readers with downloaded books and resource material.
The Andhra Pradesh government recently supplied 20 Kindle e-readers to Gurajada Library to help candidates prepare for job recruitments using books and other literature. Union Minister for Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapati Raju sponsored the devices using his MP Local Area Development Fund. E-readers can store a large number of books, offering a wide choice.
The e-readers have become popular with candidates who aspire to become constables and Sub-Inspectors, with the A.P. government recently launching a recruitment drive for 1,300 of these posts. Traditional books are already in demand, as banks have announced recruitment to fill 16,700 posts. Some candidates are also preparing for 1,032 Group-2 posts in the Telangana government.
To many of the aspirants, the APPSC notification for Group-A, Group-2 posts is a challenge and they spend over 8 hours in libraries for study and data collection using both books and the internet. The government then decided to try out the e-readers to help candidates access the most relevant material readily.
Pre-downloaded booksIn the normal course, the aspirants would spend considerable time on the Internet to locate and collect the literature. That task has already been handled by the library, and they have taken to the e-readers readily. The gadgets also make reading easier since the display is in black and white.
Looking at the response, the authorities say they plan to supply e-readers to all libraries in a phased manner. “We may get a concession for bulk orders, as each gadget costs around Rs. 6,000,” said Gurajada Memorial Vizianagaram District Library secretary K. Kumar Raja.
The candidates and students are thrilled. “Normally, we would have to depend on the Internet for information. But it is not possible for all of us to use computers at the same time, given the limited number of systems available to the public. The e-readers are handy and help us study in a smart way,” said Y. Rajkumar, a degree student.
