Role of libraries in competitive examinations a study among the employees of universities in Kerala

Abstract

Libraries are indispensable for competitive examination, providing access to vast array of resources essential for the success. Libraries can play a central role in facilitating the success of competitive examination aspirants by supporting and enriching their process of preparation. This study searches the methodologies adopted and the role of libraries in the success of administrative assistants of universities in Kerala in competing Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) examination. The primary objective of the study was to analyse the strategies followed by the respondents in the preparation of competitive examinations, to analyse the use of library by the university employees of Kerala for their success in KPSC examination, to analyse the use of information resources, facilities and services of libraries by University employees in Kerala in the attainment of KPSC examination, to investigate the satisfaction level of employees in meeting their information requirements by libraries in gaining KPSC examination and to assess the barriers that inhibited in adequate use of the library for the preparation of KPSC examination. To achieve this a quantitative approach was employed, including survey method using a questionnaire prepared for the conduct of the study. The questionnaire was distributed to 394 administrative assistants working in four universities of Kerala viz university of Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi University, university of Calicut and Kannur University, who secured their job through the examination conducted by KPSC. A 33 item questionnaire was formulated in line with the objectives of the study. The questionnaire is divided into two parts: first part deals with the general information and second part deals with the topic of the study. Second part of the questionnaire is again divided into six sections and contains a mixture of likert scale, multiple choice, yes/no questions and an open ended question. The study used four independent variables such as gender, area of residence, subject of graduation and qualification of the respondents. The study reveals that many of the administrative assistants in universities depended on public library for their preparation of KPSC examination. Books/Guides for competitive examination, reference books and newspapers were mostly used by them for attaining general knowledge and current affairs of the time. Despite of having a conducive environment in the library for their preparation of KPSC examination, many indicated the scarcity of specific resources for their preparation. Thus this study explored the utilization of libraries, its resources, services and facilities and also the challenges the respondents faced in the better utilization of libraries in their preparation of KPSC examination. These valuable insights guide the future aspirants of competitive examinations and suggest ways for libraries to serve them better.