A library Kindles students’ interest in e-readers
Visitors to Vizianagaram library get to use 20 of the gadgets funded by MP.
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
books
In 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.
Regards
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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