Hundreds of viewers of the recently conducted Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits (RICE) which was held on July 7-9, 2011 at Lee Plaza, Dipolog City, had the chance of browsing / searching on the STARBOOKS. The mobile kiosk was one of the various displays and exhibits featured during the RICE, organized by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. IX (DOST IX).
STARBOOKS, or the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations, is a stand alone, onsite research kiosk that provides free access on S&T information for academic and livelihood use. The project, is aimed at providing Filipinos with relevant and latest information on the subject. Users can have access to thousands of titles of books, journals, scientific researches, technical and annual reports and other latest data and information contained at the DOST’s Science Information Network (SciNeT), Philippine eLib project sources, freely-available online resources, and subscribed databases.
The new academic and livelihood resource differs from other library portals as it does not require Internet connectivity to deliver information to its users. The kiosk has a built-in server that provides instant access to S&T information. The information can be printed using a portable printer.
STARBOOKS, also contains various videos on DOST-developed technologies for entrepreneurs looking for potential science-based livelihood. On its initial run, 171 technology videos have been uploaded in the kiosk through the different DOST agencies. The videos range from food processing to laundry soap making and other livelihood materials.The DOST through the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) will continuously build the STARBOOKS content to ensure that the information offered are rich and timely. STII expects that this project will spur a wave of S&T enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, it is also hoped that every barangay in the country will adopt STARBOOKS kiosk to make S&T information accessible to every Filipino. To intensify greater utilization of STARBOOKS in provincial and municipal areas, DOST IX plans to install STARBOOKS kiosks in selected pilot educational institutions / libraries in the region. The Department also encourages public and private libraries / information centers to adopt STARBOOKS. DOST-STII is very willing to provide STARBOOKS content free-of-charge for educational and research purposes. (Thelma E. Diego / DOST IX PRESS RELEASE)
