TO SUPPORT distance learning amid the pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology established digital science libraries in five public schools in Malimono, Surigao del Norte.

The DOST-Caraga, through the Provincial Science and Technology Center, installed Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations or STARBOOKS in isolated, disadvantaged and conflicted areas in the province.

“After the installation, the schools’ IT personnel and librarian will be capacitated on system management,” DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said.

“It covers generating reports, teaching students to create accounts, and navigating resources for efficient use of the digital library,” he added.

The recipients of the STARBOOKS were Karihatag, Sohoton, and Cantapoy, Malimono Central and Manhuyay Elementary Schools.

STARBOOKS is the first Philippine Science Digital Library that functions as an offline library with text and video materials on various subject matters.

It includes digitized technology resources, researches and dissertations, investigatory projects, video lessons in science and math subjects, and other materials for instruction and research.

So far, 5,127 STARBOOKS have been set up nationwide.