Starbooks (short for Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS)[3] is an interactive kiosk system developed by the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Philippine government.

Starbooks
Also known asScience and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks
ManufacturerScience and Technology Information Institute
TypeInteractive kiosk
Release date2011 (2011)
Introductory priceCost dependent on desktop unit, Pod component at ₱10,000[1]
Units shipped5,127 pods[2] (2021)
Websiteportal.starbooks.ph

History

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Starbooks was conceptualized by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Assistant Secretary and Science and Technology Information Institute (STII; an organization under the DOST) Officer in Charge Raymund Liboro. Liboro developed the interactive kiosk project as a response to few people patronizing libraries. It was first launched at the STII lobby on June 24, 2011, with the DOST Regional Office IX in the Zamboanga Peninsula being among the first adopters of the technology.[4]

Starbooks was featured at the 2011 Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits in Davao City in Davao City. In 2012, the first mass deployment of Starbooks took place in select schools in Leyte. By 2014, all regions in the Philippines had their own Starbooks. In 2016, the 1,000th site was installed in Calauan, Laguna and the kiosk system was upgraded with the introduction of "Super Starbooks".[4]

In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which affected the country's education system, mobile apps were released Starbooks Whiz, a gamified quiz program[2] and the Starbooks Online App.[4]

Features

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Starbooks (software)
Original author(s)Science and Technology Information Institute (STII)
Initial release2011; 13 years ago (2011)
Operating systemWindows 7 and later[5]
TypeEducation

Described as a "digital library in a box", the Starbooks interactive kiosk hosts media including text, audio, and videos related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).[4][2] A Starbooks kiosk consist of a desktop installed on a specially designed "pod" structure. The system is a standalone information kiosk which does not rely on internet access. Media hosted can be printed but are not downloadable.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "DOST Starbookss: The First Philippine Science Digital Library" (PDF). DOST-STII. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Luci-Atienza, Charissa (22 July 2021). "DOST launches gamified quiz mobile app for whiz students". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  3. ^ "About STARBOOKS – Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Burgos, Richard P. (12 July 2021). "STARBOOKS: A library project that became the face of Science For The People". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Starbooks - The First Philippine Science Digital Library". Retrieved 25 September 2021.