Introduction:
In a small town like Rajam, there is hardly any culture of using a library and absolutely no access to career counselling facilities. Youth are often hampered in their preparations for competitive exams because the books are expensive and they cannot individually buy all of them. There are no avenues for interacting with peers or with mentors so that there is some competition, motivation or guidance.

It was to fill this gap that the Prathiba Library and Counselling Centre was started in 2005 at Rajam town with 360 books and subscription of five periodicals. The objective of the Centre is to provide a learning environment, career and higher education guidance, and helping youth to prepare for the future.This has now been extended to several other places.

Objectives:

• To create awareness among youth about different career options and opportunities for higher learning.
• To identify and nurture the hidden potentials of youth and motivate them to pursue challenging careers.
• To provide a platform where graduate youth can mutually exchange ideas for their collective benefit.
• To provide books on various topics that would enable youth to prepare for competitive exams and provide inputs like computer training, mock exams, interview, etc.
• To provide training for specific competitive exams.

Process:
The Centre has registered members, which include both girls and boys. The regular activities include reading and interaction by the members, visit of guests and visitors and their interaction with the members, and counselling services to build up the confidence and capacity of the members. The centre also prepares youth for competitive exams through mock tests and interviews. It also guides the members towards suitable employment opportunities.

Achievement/ strengths:

• Many of the members have gained employment with assistance and guidance from the centre.
• Various mock-examinations and programmes are conducted to enable members to effectively participate in competitive examinations.
• The centre has also helped several youth get good ranks in various University entrance exams.
• Access to internet is available now in the library. This helps the members to access job notifications and post resumes online.
• The centre has started providing Computer training on MS-office. Office assistant training is being provided to the potential job aspirants.
• The counselling support provided to the members is very effective in guiding them appropriately