Based Openly Operated Kiosks, popularly known as STARBOOKS, will be reaching out to more learners, as this standalone digital offline library can now be installed in all public and private schools.

Engr. Jhun Rey Vistal, Project Technical Aide V of the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) of Davao del Norte province, emphasized that this offline library can be established in all schools.

He also shared that through the provincial offices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the STARBOOKS can also be established in learning centers, local government units (LGUs) information offices, LGU libraries, and even in computer laboratories.

Davao Oriental was provided with the highest number of kiosks with 117, followed by Davao del Sur with 113.

In Davao Oriental, the solar-powered STARBOOKS was also introduced and piloted at the Patong Elementary School in Barangay Malibago in the Municipality of Cateel.  

In Davao del Norte, a total of 77 schools have been equipped with STARBOOKS since 2016, and five solar-powered kiosks have been established.

Vistal also revealed that DOST-XI has recently installed STARBOOKS on a standalone computer to the far-flung Dagohoy Integrated School in the Municipality of Talaingod.

He stressed that DOST basically provides the STARBOOKS software for free while the provision of computer set is based on the assessment and the recommendation of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Meanwhile, Davao del Norte Science and Technology (DNSC) will also be providing a computer set for STARBOOKS installation in another school in Talaingod town.

It then entailed another two-kilometer walk from the high school to reach Laker Elementary School, where the solar-powered STARBOOKS had also been established in 2018.

Davao Occidental is the farthest province, geographically located at the southwestern tip of the Davao Region, consisting of nearly 80 percent hilly, rugged and sloping mountains with unstable internet connectivity.

Moreover, the province of Davao de Oro has also received 43 STARBOOKS with 21 updated kiosks and one solar-powered. While Davao City has 29 STARBOOKS with 12 updated kiosks.

For over a decade of successfully deploying STARBOOKS throughout the region, accolades have been conferred on DOST-XI and to some individuals.

According to DOST-XI, the regional office ranked 3rd based on the number of STARBOOKS installed in 2018, following the lead of Region 1 with 158 units, and Region 2 with 125 units deployed, respectively.  

Since 2012, Gagama has been deploying STARBOOKS to various communities in Davao Oriental and has conducted various trainings and seminars for teachers and students on the proper use of the digital library. 

“Gina-priority namo ang mga lagyo kay kabalo kami na limited lang jud kaayo ang access sa mga bata sa educational materials and malipay kami nga nakaserve ta ug sa makalampos pud sila sa ilang kaugmaon (We prioritize far-flung areas because we are aware that their access to various educational materials are very limited and we are happy that we can serve them with something that will help them in their future),” Gagama was quoted saying in a news write-up.  

In May 2023, the PSTO Davao del Sur was conferred with a plaque of appreciation by DOST-STII “for successfully deploying and installing STARBOOKS across public schools in the province.” 

They cited the digital library as helpful for their homework, research, projects, and science classes. 

“It's very helpful, especially when we are searching for documents or searching for answers in our research, because you don't need any internet connection to log in,” a student highlighted. (JDA/CLC, PIA-XI)