Woman clears TNPSC Group-1 with free library facilities

CHENNAI: Providing hope for hundreds of candidates, Shabana Anjum (27), a civil service aspirant, has cleared Tamil Nadu Public Service Examinations (TNPSC) Group 1 exam on her first attempt by using the facilities at a full-time library in Anna Nagar in Chennai. Though few district central libraries have been running the study circles for civil service aspirants, it is the first major success of a candidate who, after utilising the free facilities like reading room, study materials and books in the library has cleared the exam.

“The library staff helped me with my preparation by providing reading materials and peaceful environment,” Shabana Anjum said. The staff also provided her with the copy of the reading materials which they got from the private coaching centres. “I mainly wanted to read the newspapers and periodicals for my interview. I got all the periodicals at one place,” she said. The librarian and library staff also received a thanks note from Shabana Anjum after she cleared the exam and got appointed as assistant commissioner in the commercial tax department.   

“She would come with her lunch most of the days. She would spend the full day reading and prepare with other aspirants,” said S. Ranganathan, librarian, Anna Nagar (East) library. The library is having 50 to 60 aspirants on any given day. “Some use the materials that we provide and others bring their own materials and books,” he added. School education secretary T. Udhayachnadran has opened the reading room for civil service aspirants in this library in April. The department has also launched a competitive exam centre in all district libraries this year.

“Around two thousand candidates who cannot afford private coaching institutes are preparing for competitive exams in all district libraries. Libraries are providing coaching using the local resource persons and civil servants. The footfall of the candidates increase, according to the resource persons,” said S. Kannappan, director (in-charge) of Public Libraries. Now, the directorate is serving English periodicals too to help the candidates to prepare for the exams.

“We are now issuing 41 journals and periodicals to 559 district libraries and full-time libraries. Journals like The Economist, Competition Refresher, Business Today, Civil Service Chronicle Data Quest, Science Reporter, Banking and You are available for the aspirants in most of the towns. It will help them to prepare for competitive exams well,” he said. Apart from civil service aspirants, candidates who aspire for jobs with state government, banks, railways and other government institutions also visit the libraries.