Competitive Exams:

Competitive examinations are used as gateways in many countries for university and college admissions or admissions to secondary schools (entrance examination) or for positions in the civil service (Civil service examination). They are considered an egalitarian way of choosing worthy applicants without risking influence peddling, favouritism or other concerns. Competitive Services give payment, pension, perquisite, standard of living, job security, job satisfaction, transfer, opportunity to success.

College Library :

A college library means “A library which is associated or attached with any educational institution to support its educational programmes”. Academic library is an integral part of formal education system which provides time bound education from primary school level to university level. An academic library works as a base for teaching, learning, research, etc.

College Users:

College Users means the Library members of college library who use library collection.

Types of Users:

Users can be categorised on the basis of numerous characteristics. Important amongst them are : (i) By nature of work-policy makers, managers, industrial workers, research scholars, leisured, etc.; (ii) Psychological criteria - meek users with superiority complex, with inferiority complex, selfish, abnormal, normal, etc.; By nature of activity - Study, research, specialisation, level of education, responsibility, etc.; (iv) the ordinary citizen. In an academic library the users are students, teachers and researchers whereas in a special library the users are mainly researchers or specialists who are specialising in a narrow field of subject.

Arts College Library and Competitive Exams :

Competitive exam are very important for all college users, because it is a stepping stone for the eligible candidates to gain the desired jobs or employment. The employment ensures a way of earning livelihood and also living life with dignity. There is of course a stated rationale behind this proliferation of competitive examinations. The logic goes as follows: given that the standards of various examinations ( CBSE, State Boards, Universities etc.) are so different, there is no way we can compare the marks obtained in these examinations and use them to assess the quality of the candidate. Hence, we carry out our own assessment. Of course, it is assumed by each agency that their examination in some sense does indeed assess the true quality of the student! Without going into the merits and demerits of this logic, in this piece, we want to try and see if the library information services facilitate the candidates or students in their search for a job. The syllabus of the educational institutions normally matches with that of the competitive examinations as far as subject specific course is concerned. The libraries, in turn, house such collection which directly assists the students in meeting the requirement of their discipline curriculum. The students depend heavily on these libraries for their preparation of competitive exams as well and hence seek other literature also related with general knowledge, mental ability, current awareness, numerical ability, analytical skills, language skills, etc. apart from their curriculum related collection.

Various competitive exams:

Though the list is very large and ever increasing, still, there are some which are considered important and popular by the students. These are: Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board, Bank Clerical Exam, CSIR-UGC Exams, L.I.C - G.I.C Competitions, G.I.C. Officers' Exam, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), U.P.S.C. Competitions, Indian railways, Railway Competitions, Railway Recruitment Board, S.S.C. Competitions, Assistants' Grade Examination, Clerks' Grade Examination, State Public Service Commission, State Public Service Commissions, Unit Trust of India, Indian Administrative Service, Indian foreign service, Indian Police Service, Indian P and T Accounts and Finance Service, Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Indian Customs and Central Excise Service, Indian Defence Accounts Service, Indian Revenue Service, Indian Ordnance Factories Service , Customs Appraisers' Service etc.

Discussions:

Although all the college Libraries claim to cater to the students who are aspiring to appear in one or more of the competitive exams. Yet it is a felt need to assess the services that are actually extended to such users.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE:

1. To study the types of information services provided by the Arts college Libraries to their students to assess in their preparation for competitive exams.

2. To assess the satisfaction level amongst the users with regard to the said information services.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

In their survey conducted in PG Institute of Medical Science of Madras University, the authors M. Selvi and T.K.T. Mani found that 23% users frequently used the online resources and 75% were satisfied with e-Thesis service about 14% stressed on Newspaper services amongst other finding. Prakash, B. and others (2014) conducted a study in Central University of Karnataka Library. One of the important findings was that 33% of students visit Library for preparing for competitive exams. Padma P. and others (2014) conducted a study at Usilampatti; Public Library and found that a majority of users use the Library for preparing themselves for competitive exams. Waghmode, S.S. has categorically mentioned in his paper Best practices in Sonubhau Baswant College Library “that objectives of Information services about competitive exams should cover creating awareness, helping with reading material required for competitive exams, providing information about current affairs, providing news paper etc. Chikkamanju and Aditya Kumari, H. (2014) conducted a study at the colleges of Tumkur University and found that 30% of faculty use job websites/Portals.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

As the study at hand is basically a user study, therefore it calls for conducting a survey. The response of users is collected on a structured questionnaire from 100 students selected from the following colleges in Nagpur City.

1. Sevadal Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur

2. Dr. M.K. Umate and Mokhare Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur

3. Hislop College, Nagpur

4. Dr. Aambedkar College, Nagpur

5. Annasaheb Gundewar College,Nagpur

6. Vasantrao College (Morrish College, Nagpur)

THE MAJOR QUESTIONS ASKED WERE:

1. Whether a List of all the competitive exams for which the Arts college students would like to appear is available in the Library

2. Whether the students get the information readily available in the Library about the age criteria for all the competitive exams

3. Whether the Library easily makes available the information sources that specify the eligibility and required qualifications for all such competitive exams

4. Are the users satisfied with the collection in the Library regarding general knowledge

5. Are the users satisfied with the information sources available in the Library regarding Current Affairs

6. Does Library have adequate reading material on “Interview Techniques” i.e. How to prepare for an interview

DISCUSSIONS:

The following are the observation with respect to the data obtained from the students regarding the questions asked as Listed above.

Question 1	Student’s Response	Frequency
Whether a List of all the competitive exams for which the Arts college students would like to appear is available in the Library	SA	31
	A	48
	CS	9
	D	6
	SD	6
	TOTAL	100

From the above graph, it is seen that about 80% of the students agree to it that the college Libraries maintain and provide a List of all the Competitive Exams from various agencies, whereas 12% students disagree not aware of such information services from the Library and therefore perhaps are unable to form an opinion.

Question 2	Student’s Response	Frequency
Whether the students get the information readily available in the Library about the age criteria for all the competitive exams	SA	14
	A	36
	CS	29
	D	14
	SD	7
	TOTAL	100

It is observed that 50% students feel that they get information regarding ‘age criteria’ for various competitive exams from the Library while 21% disagree to it. A large portion of 29% is unable to decide on this particular information service from College Library.

Question 3	Student’s Response	Frequency
Whether the Library easily makes available the information sources that specify the eligibility and required qualifications for all such competitive exams	SA	19
	A	48
	CS	15
	D	10
	SD	8
	TOTAL	100

67% students have answered in affirmation about availability of information in the Library about the educational qualifications required for various competitive exams. Still 18% disagree.

Question 4	Student’s Response	Frequency
Are the users satisfied with the collection in the Library regarding general knowledge	SA	19
	A	42
	CS	22
	D	10
	SD	7
	TOTAL	100

We see that 61% students in total are satisfied with the collection in their college Library with regard to the subject “General Knowledge” required in various competitive exams. Still 22% are unable to decide on the adequacy of such collection.17% have disagree.

Question 5	Student’s Response	Frequency
Are the users satisfied with the information sources available in the Library regarding Current Affairs	SA	26
	A	53
	CS	13
	D	4
	SD	4
	TOTAL	100

The user response collected indicates that a major portion of 79% students are satisfied with the collection in their college Libraries regarding “Current Affairs/ Awareness”. 13% students are unable to form their opinion while 8% have recorded their reply in negative.

Question 6	Student’s Response	Frequency
Does Library have adequate reading material on “Interview Techniques” i.e. How to prepare for an interview	SA	15
	A	45
	CS	28
	D	10
	SD	2
	TOTAL	100

For the question no. 6 regarding the collection available in the Library which provides information on “How to appear for an Interview”, students find the collection useful.

Therefore it is inferred that:

1. Most of the college Libraries is making the students aware of various competitive exams conducted by various agencies.

2. With regard to collection in these Arts college Libraries, especially regarding competitive exams, it is found that most Library possess a satisfactory collection of books, magazines, periodicals, etc. on “Current Affairs”

3. The Library staff need to specific need to walk an extra mile to cater to the specific need of students provide them the information regarding “ Age Criteria”, eligibility, qualifications, etc. required for various competitive exams.

4. The Libraries of Arts College need to strengthen their collection regarding “General Knowledge” which is very much needed by aspirants of competitive exams.

Questions	SA / A	SD / D
1	80	12
2	50	21
3	76	18
4	61	17
5	79	8
6	60	12

The overall ranking of the students’ satisfaction with as mentioned in question 1 through question 6.

FINDINGS:

The overall findings are as shown in the graph below

SUGGESTIONS:

1. The Librarian should conduct regular user orientation programmes to make students aware about the collection especially with regard to competitive exams.

2. Librarians should have separate display /Notice Boards through which they will keep the students informed about upcoming competitive exams with important dates, eligibility criteria, etc. clearly mentioned.

3. Librarian can maintain a record of students who have cleared the competitive exams.

4. The feedback from passed/successful students should be taken regularly so as to strengthen the Library collection accordingly.

5. Appropriate budgetary provisions should be made in the Library annual budget to meet the requirements related with competitive exam related books, journals, magazines, etc.

6. E-mails alert messages can be sent to aspiring students as and when some new book, magazine is added /received in the Library.

7. Special talks, Lectures, Seminars, etc. may be conducted in the Library and experts may be invited to deliver talk on how to appear for an Interview.

CONCLUSION:

Arts College have been in existence since more than hundreds of years and so have their Libraries that have been catering to the needs of their students. However, the gateways and opportunities for vocations, jobs, etc. have been changing ever since. There has been a steep rise in the number of competitive exams that are conducted by various state owned or government agencies throughout the year. With the “Young Nation” that we are today where we boast of highest number of youth in the world, it is mandatory for the colleges to arm their students not only with the degrees but also with appropriate jobs. The Libraries or the” knowledge Resource Centres” as these are called today, have to play a major role in assisting the aspirants of competitive exams by way of providing them the necessary reading material, timely information and guidance. Therefore, the policy makes have to take a serious note of the situation and facilitate these Libraries in their noble cause of serving information to the needy at the right time in the right form.

REFERENCES:

1. Kumar P.S.G. Library and Users Theory and Practice Paper VIII of UGC Model Curriculum/Kumar P.S.G. –New Delhi:B.R. Publishing Corporation, 2004 revised Pg No. 6

2. Kumar P.S.G. Library and Users Theory and Practice Paper VIII of UGC Model Curriculum/Kumar P.S.G. –New Delhi:B.R. Publishing Corporation, 2004 revised Pg No. 31

3. Kumar P.S.G. Library and Users Theory and Practice Paper VIII of UGC Model Curriculum : / B.R. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi , 2004 revised pg No. 39

4. Kumar P.S.G.Library and Users Theory and Practice Paper VIII of UGC Model Curriculum/Kumar P.S.G.-New Delhi:B.R.Publishing Corporation, 2004 revised Pg No. 107

5. Kumar PSG. “A Students Manual of Lib.and Inf’n Science on the line of the Net syllabus of UGC”

6. Lal C. Kumar. Descriptive Questions in Library and Information Science /C.Lal/Kumar-Pune: Ess Ess Publishing, 2007 Pg.No. 527

7. Mittal R.L. Library Administration Theory and Practice/Mittal R.L.- New Delhi:Metropolitan Book co. (Private)Ltd., 2^nd ed. 1969 Pg. No. 35

8. Best practices in Sonubhau Basant College Library: A Study by Shivaji Shankar Waghmode Librarian Sonubhau Basant College of Arts @ Commerce,Shahapur, Dist. Thane (2012)

9. Padma P. Ramasamy K, Chinna Ayyar VS. Use of Information Resources and Services in First Grade Colleges Affiliated to Tumkur University Faculty Members: A Survey Chikkamanu Research Scholar, Dept of Studies in Library and Information Science, University of Mysore Information Seeking Behaviour of Users at Usilampatti Public Library, Tamilnadu, India: A case study. (2014)

10. Prakash B. Library Collection, Facilities and Services of the Central University of Karnataka : A Survey Prakash B Government First Grade College Manhalli, Tq and Dist Bidar Karnataka, India and Others (2014)

11. Selvi M., Thiruengada T.K. Mani. Use of Information Resources and Services in Post Graduate Institute of Basics Medical Science of Madras University Library System Library System – A study : International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology and Science (IJIRTS)

12. B.R Publishing corporation “Library and Users theory and Practice paper VIII of UGC model curriculum ,Delhi

13. http://www.studycircle.co.in/Articles/competitive_exam.pdf

14. http://www.studycircle.co.in/Articles/chitrlekha_Khatu.pdf

Received on 23.11.2015

Modified on 22.04.2015

Accepted on 30.04.2016

Research J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 7(2): April - June, 2016, 95-100

DOI: 10.5958/2321-5828.2016.00016.4