Ranchi: With libraries shut for almost a year now since the nationwide lockdown in March, a large section of aspirants of various competitive examinations are yearning for access to good books and most importantly, a proper space to study without being disturbed.
The state capital of Ranchi has several government and private libraries, such as the central library, state library and Ram Krishna Mission Library that usually see a lot of footfall. However, with no permission to function, the halls are mostly deserted.
Harishchandra Singh, an employee of the state library, said, “In normal times, the library used to remain full for 11 hours every day. I have often seen students sitting on the floor and reading books due to lack of space. Now, all the halls are vacant, deserted.”
The private libraries, including the digital ones, are also in demand with students ready to pay as much as Rs 1,100 a month for the facilities.
An aspirant of the state civil services, Mukesh Kumar said, “At home there are several distractions like visiting relatives and domestic works. Besides, one gets a bit relaxed at the home. In contrast, there is an urge to study at a library when one sees a large number of students focusing on books. Libraries are a blessing especially during the festivals when it is difficult to have pin-drop silence at home.”
Kumar also spoke about group studies and said libraries are the best place since the exchange of ideas due to availability of books takes place seamlessly.
“Most of the libraries are wifi-enabled, which helps access various sources on the internet,” he said. Kumar, who has succeeded in an examination of railways, said studying for eight to 10 hours at a library had played an important role.
Another aspirant for Jharkhand civil services examination said in libraries a person gets a chance to judge himself or herself while interacting with other people preparing for the same competitive examination.
Raj Kumar Chaubey, who runs a coaching institute at Lalpur, said, “After undergoing coaching for various competitive examinations, students usually spend around six months at his private library and study to crack the examinations.”