DOST’s free internet resources reach DMMMSU campuses
The Department of Science and Technology in Region I (DOST-I), in partnership with Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), conducted the Science and Technology Academic Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks (STARBOOKS) user’s training and orientation and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) spearheaded by the Science and Technology Program Promotion Center last 31 March 2022.
The purpose of the training is to capacitate the university libraries’ clienteles in the field of science, technology, and innovation and to maximize the use of DOST services and resources. It is also to strengthen the university partnership with DOST Region I in promoting STARBOOKS. Through STARBOOKS, university libraries can provide better services and relevant information to their customers’ needs.
According to DMMMSU Director for Library Service Sonia S. Isip, the university is now shifting to Education 5.0. and as they sign the MOU with DOST on their adoption of STARBOOKS, they are strengthening their partnership with the agency specifically in handling, marketing, and delivery of intellectual data.
STARBOOKS is a stand-alone information source designed to reach those with limited or no access to S&T information resources. This is a DOST project developed by the Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) that aims to provide STI (Science, Technology, and Innovation)-based content in various formats to students and other stakeholders in geographically isolated and economically challenged schools and communities throughout the country. It contains hundreds of thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and video/audio) placed in specially designed “pods” set in a user-friendly interface.
Present during the MOU signing was Director of Library Service, Dr. Soina S. Isip together with DMMMSU- South La Union Campus (SLUC) Head Librarian, Dr. Nancy F. Galban; Mid-La Union Campus (MLUC) Head Librarian, Ruby Lyn C. Narra; University Coordinator, Dr. Romeo C. Opeña Jr.; NSTP Director, Dr. Loida M. Faller; Director for Cultural Affairs, Dr. Irene Gomez; DMMMSU MLUC Chancellor, Dr. Eduardo C. Corpuz;
Director of MIS, Engr. Rubo A. Baro; and University ILS Administrator, Jake C. Alminiana, and ILS Staff of DMMMSU.
After the MOU signing, the Information Library Services staff of DMMMSU actively participated in the conduct of user’s and administration training of STARBOOKS.
In addition, Director Isip said that STARBOOKS would be one of the most appropriate tools in bridging DMMMSU's information materials gap. This collaboration will improve access to the shared resources and strengthen the DMMMSU library resources, which include a wide range of disciplines and fields. It will also solve the problem in connectivity because STABOOKS does not rely on the internet. Furthermore, Engr. Rubo A. Baro, Director of MIS said that it is not the end but only the beginning of the partnership with DOST.
The DOST-STARBOOKS caters to schools in remote areas and is available offline and online at www.starbooks.ph. Its mobile and quiz app can be downloaded for free at the Google Play Store. (By Mary Ann C. Belen,DOST-I)
