111 digital libraries up in Leyte schools

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 26  -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will set up 111 digital libraries in Leyte province this year as part of the central government’s post-Yolanda assistance.

John Glenn Ocaña, DOST Leyte provincial director said the project dubbed as Science and 

Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station (Starbooks), was designed to make valuable information available to learners in areas without internet connection and had poor access to latest science and technology materials.

Each Starbook unit has 11,000 library holdings, available to teachers, students, and even to the community.

Of the 111 digital libraries, 16 will be installed in Tacloban City; 13 in Ormoc City; seven in Palo; six each in Tanauan and Villaba; five each in Palompon and Abuyog; four each in Babatngon, Tolosa, and Burauen; three in Merida and Baybay City; and two units each in Barugo, Dulag, Isabel, 

Kananga, MacArthur, Mahaplag, Matag-ob, Mayorga, San Miguel, and Calubian; and one in Pastrana, Alang-alang, Albuera, Babay City, Carigara, Dagami, Jaro, Javier, Julita, and Santa Fe.

“The project is of great use to all students because it is regularly updated for future uses as well,” Ocaña said.

To ensure maintenance of the project, DOST will train school personnel on basic troubleshooting of digital libraries.

The DOST initially started the installation in some parts of Leyte’s 2nd legislative district. The target is to complete setting up all units within the year.

Starbooks is the country’s first digital science and technology library.

Developed by the DOST Science and Technology Information Institute, the kiosk contains full text journal and research materials, news and feature articles, videos, and publications on science and technology, and livelihood.

It also has Encyclopedia Britannica in its collection, its contents categorized into elementary, high school, and college levels. (SQM/with Mikaela Angelica Ramirez-OJT/PNA)