BUTUAN CITY, June 2 (PNA) — Eleven schools in Caraga region have now the globally recognized digital science library developed by the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII), which is now being used as a handy research tool for students at the said schools in Eastern Mindanao.
Recently, DOST-STII launched the Science and Technology Academic Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS) in the said sites during the Butuan City, Caraga Region stop of the Department’s National Roadshow dubbed as Science Nation: Agham Na Ramdam.
STARBOOKS is a user-friendly digital library of Science and Technology (S&T) information which may be accessed without internet connection. It is the first science digital library in the Philippines, containing thousands of S&T resources in various formats – text and audio/ video-placed in specially designed pods set in a user-friendly interface.
STARBOOKS is one of the five projects worldwide recently chosen by the American Library Association (ALA) to receive the 2015 ALA Presidential Citation for innovative International Library Projects on June 29, 2015 in San Francisco, USA.
The 11 schools now installed with STARBOOKS are the Agusan National High School and AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC) in Butuan City; Mainit National High School in Mainit, Surogao del Norte; Jabonga Central Elementary School, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; Tag-abaca National High School and Loreto National High School in Basilisa and Loreto, Dinagat Island Province, respectively; Jacinto P. Elpa National High School and Lingig National High School in Tandag City and Lingig, Surigao del Sur; Esperanza National High School and Bayugan National Comprehensive High School in Esperanza town and Bayugan City, in Agusan del Sur.
“ALA, if you would ask me, is among the most influential academic bodies,” DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro said during the launching. So far, those who have STARBOOKS in their school library are getting a world class product.
Also present during the launch were other key officials of the DOST led by Undersecretary for Operations Carol M. Yorobe and DOST Regional Director Dominga Mallonga.
Science Nation: Agham Na Ramdam is a continuing roadshow that showcases DOST’s achievements and contributions in the regions economic growth through various scientific and technological interventions.
The launching of the STARBOOKS was one of the several activities during the event. STARBOOKS will also be featured during the DOST’s National Science and Technology Week slated on July 24-28, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. (PNA)