Competitive examination aspirants in Childag panchayat, Angara in Ranchi are happy to have got their own community library on the premises of the S.S. Plus 2 High School, which has been functional since July 15.

The library, known as the Panchayat Pustakalay, was set up in a classroom of the school, and aims to equip aspirants with required knowledge and skills.

The Panchayat Pustakalay was originally a proposed project of the erstwhile state government’s department of school education and literacy in 2017, but the plan never took off.

Thus, principal Awanindra Kumar Singh decided to take initiative and help the aspiring students, with assistance from former students and social workers.

The library already has got 10 members.

Books on several entrances, including the JEE, medical, banking, XAT, CAT, UPSC, SSC and railways exams, will be stocked.

Students at the Panchayat Pustakalay reading corner, Childag in Angara block, Ranchi on Friday

“These books are too costly and almost impossible for students of any village to afford. We have managed to buy some books and have been asking for donations. We will buy some more through voluntary donation. This is a library of the community and by the community,” said Singh who has also contributed finances to the library.

Library membership requires a student to fill a form, and get recommendation from a known person of the village along with a photocopy of an identity card.

The library is run by volunteers and is usually open for two hours on weekdays, post-school hours, from 3 pm to 5 pm.

“There is no membership fee and we work based on mutual trust. The volunteers take care of the books. We have collectively managed the infrastructure. In the future we hope to get more stock covering all areas of competitive exams,” said Singh, adding that he is hopeful the library will help competitive exam aspirants.

The library also has a reading corner just outside the room where people can come and read, all the while maintaining social distancing norms.

The library is also looking forward to providing e-content, and a part-time teacher of the school has agreed to help students access the same.

Residents of the villages nearby see the library as a ray of hope.

“I graduated with science last year but didn’t find a job. I had no guidance and so I started selling fish to make a living. I continue to do so, but now I also spend a large amount of my free time at the library. I want to apply for the Jharkhand Staff Selection Exams,” said Umesh Nayak, one of the members of the Panchayat Pustakalay.