Digital library set up in Marikina school

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has installed the pilot unit of their newly-developed STARBOOKS “digital library in a box” at the Malanday National High School (MNHS) in Marikina City.

STARBOOKS or Science & Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station is a one-stop science and technology information source that works even without Internet connection.

Developed by experts at the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) of DOST, it contains thousands of materials in text, video and audio formats, featuring topics on food and nutrition, health and medicine, emerging technologies, energy, environment, livelihood technologies, investigatory projects and theses in different fields.

The installation of the STARBOOKS library kiosk came after Teresita Fortuna, director of DOST-National Capital Region, signed the memorandum of understanding with MNHS head teacher Salvacion Fernando together with Marcelino Teodoro, 1st District of Marikina representative, who requested the STARBOOKS for MNHS as his beneficiary.

Fortuna encouraged the students to use STARBOOKS for their research. She reminded everyone that DOST will monitor if the equipment is actually being used by the students.

“We are very fortunate to receive STARBOOKS. It will surely be used by the kids,” said Lagrimas Garcia, school principal.

She added that they hope to put in additional computers so that more students can access STARBOOKS.

Victor Rebosada, teacher-librarian of MNHS, said the digital library kiosk will really help a lot in imparting knowledge to their students.

“We are hoping that through this, we will be able to really focus on the science subjects,” Rebosada said.

DOST offers STARBOOKS to local government units, non-government organizations, educational institutions and private corporations.