DOST-NCR Deploys Offline Library-In-A-Box to Build Smart Cities

The DOST-NCR is moving to ensure that all 16 cities and one municipality in the National Capital Region become smart and sustainable cities by investing in young people through its smart learning enabling technologies.

One such technology is the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks (STARBOOKS) which was developed by the DOST Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) and debuted on June 24, 2011. Functioning as an offline, “digital library in a box”, each STARBOOKS kiosk contains multi-media materials related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

To date, DOST-NCR has distributed a total of 238 kiosks since the technology was mass deployed. Six of these units are in the City of Valenzuela in the following locations: Valenzuela Polytechnic University, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela Campus, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, Arcado Deato Elementary School, Isla Elementary School, and the Valenzuela Center for Academic Excellence, which houses the Valenzuela City Library.

The last kiosk was deployed just this February, with DOST-NCR Regional Director Engr. Romelen Tresvalles leading the turnover of the unit to City Librarian Ms. Rochelle Silverio.

In her remarks at the event, RD Tresvalles emphasized that STARBOOKS aligns with the Philippine Development Plan’s goals to improve learning methods and student adaptability. For her part, Ms. Silverio welcomed the STARBOOKS kiosk, noting its potential to help students in conducting research through its extensive collection of scientific and investigatory materials.

Four cities in NCR are currently included in DOST’s list of Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities in the country. These are the cities of Muntinlupa, Caloocan, Pasig, and Quezon City. DOST-NCR is confident of raising this number through the agency’s various STI learning interventions.

By: Pinky Marcelo, SCCU