DOST innovates ‘STARBOOKS’

With local governance add-on

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, April 17 (PIA)—Already an internationally acclaimed innovation as a digital library, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) introduced more innovative use of its off-line digital resource center in a kiosk with a customized module on governance for Bohol.

Then called Science and Technology Academic and Research‐Based Openly‐Operated Kiosk System (STARBOOKS), the DOST innovated it some more in Bohol with its customized module for governance, said DOST Science Technology and Information Institute (STII) chief Dr. Richard Burgos.

Hailed by the Association of Librarians of America as innovative library project, STARBOOKS intends to serve as information access portals in key areas in the country so that communities can have digital access to the scientific information physically available at the STII, Science and Technology Information Network of the Philippines (SciNeT), Philippine electronic Library project sources, freely‐available online resources, and subscribed databases.

Loaded with thousands of digitized science and technology resources in text, graphics and video audio formats placed in specially design “pods” set in a user‐friendly interface, STARBOOKS are off-line stand-alone Information kiosks with printable read-only information and a one stop-shop of Science and technology information.

In Bohol however, DOST has incorporated in the digital resource kiosk relevant governance information to hopefully advance legislative research and hasten legislative processes by making relevant information available to local government unit operations officers and other local government stakeholders.

Now shared to 47 towns, 1 city and the Provincial DILG field office, the digital library in a box gets a massive customized upgrade in STARBOOKS for Governance, keeping its thousands of digital resources available to standard STARBOOKS kioks, plus an accessible databank of municipal ordinances, local executive orders, memoranda, circulars and policies needed for legislative researchers, explains Dr. Burgos, who said that this even enhances the science and tech resource databank.

Containing in itself all key and relevant information, STARBOOKS for governance also keeps DILG Administrative issuances, memorandum circulars, department orders, legal opinions, court decisions relative to governance suits, as well as news and updates of the department other than passed local legislation for guidance.

For MLGOO Adonis Damalerio, STARBOOKS is essential because the data DILG workers can get from here can be relayed directly to the municipal and barangay units, in capacitating people with true and factual data especially those that affect them.

As a digital innovation designed to provide readily accessible governance information and adequate learning materials to all the constituents across the province, even those with limited and unreliable internet connectivity, the data which can be directly accessed from the DILG website for those with internet connections, is now available for those off-line kiosks installed in MLGO offices, said MLGOO Vince Igcalinos.

Although placed as an add-on to the science and technology resource center, the STARBOOKS for G can also be accessed now by those into science and tech innovations.

For newly installed local government officers, the governance data banked in the STARBOOKS can be an ideal exposure experience, and the readily available data can guide them so they do not have to grope in the dark for guidance in implementing programs and enforcing policies.

As to concerns on maintaining the hardware and software now placed at the MLGOOs, Igcalinos raised concerns on upgrades, which could be costly.

For the STARTBOOKS however, the project includes appropriate training for administrators and those in charge of the resource center, to safeguard and update the data, without the hassle of getting the updates.

For this, Igcalinos hopes the innovation could also be available as downloadable mobile applications, which can be easily updated every time the device hitches into an open wifi or internet signal. (PIABohol)

RESOURCE FOR LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH. The DOST, in partnership with the DILG has lent its STARBOOKS innovation and enhanced it with the governance modules which can facilitate faster legislative research which usually slows down the crafting of policies and local ordinances. The STARBOOKS for governance is a first in the country and launched in Bohol. (PIABohol)