By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata
MANILA, July 29 (PNA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently inked partnership with National Library of the Philippines (NLP) so that more Filipinos can benefit from STARBOOKS, the country’s first digital library.
The STARTBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station) is a digital library that can be accessed without internet connectivity.
Developed by DOST’s Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), it contains both local and foreign S&T resources in text, video and audio formats. Among the contents include journals, livelihood videos, investigative materials, and encyclopaedia.
With the partnership, pilot municipal libraries in Quezon City, Manila, Marikina, Pasig, Malabon, Las Pinas, Navotas, Taguig, Mandaluyong, Pateros and Tondo will be able to add the STARBOOKS with NLP contents in their collection.
DOST Secretary Mario Montejo described STARBOOKS as the agency’s humble contribution to the world of science and education.
Last month, STARBOOKS was awarded with the American Library Association Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects at the International Librarians Reception in San Francisco Library, California.
At present, several schools and local government units across the country were already designated as STARBOOK sites.
Apart from students, scientists, researchers, technopreneurs and other S&T professionals can also benefit from the STARBOOKS. “The fact that time and distance have been neutralized as limiting factors for undertaking research is a big benefit, especially for the young ones,” said the DOST chief. (PNA)