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Press Releases

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and Queens Library Partner to Give Patients Free Access to Digital Magazines

"Digital-Q" Seamlessly Delivers 200 Popular Magazine Titles and 10,000 Issues to Personal Devices as Part of Queens Library's Campaign to Increase User Engagement

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Is Second New York City Public Hospital to Partner with the Queens Library to Distribute Free Library Materials through Wi-Fi Network

Aug 08, 2017

Elmhurst, NY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and Queens Library today launched “Digital-Q,” a Web-based application that seamlessly delivers as many as 10,000 popular magazine issues to personal devices—such as smart phones, tablets, laptops or desktops— for free, along with a simple, one-screen sign-up system for new electronic library cards. NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is the second New York City public hospital to partner with the Queens Library to distribute free library materials through its Wi-Fi Network. The library launched a similar initiative at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens late last year.

The application, available at www.digitalq.nyc, offers current and back issues of magazines covering nearly 40 subjects, from personal finance and health and well-being to sports, travel, and pets. The site is custom-built by Queens Library and is powered by technology provided by Recorded Books, Inc., and the Zinio digital-publishing platform, which uses technology and high-quality page resolution to simulate reading a paper magazine. Digital-Q is accessible to devices with access to the Internet through either a personal data plan or the hospital’s Wi-Fi, “GuestWiFi,” which requires an e-mail account.

“We are always working to broaden access to our services and resources, and Digital-Q enables us to reach individuals who might not always be able to get to one of our libraries,” said Queens Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Our partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst will give patients and hospital visitors free and easy access to thousands of e-magazines so they can spend their time productively and enjoyably.”

“We are pleased by this partnership with the Queens Library and the opportunity it gives us as a public hospital to help further bridge the digital divide and better connect our patients to a vast array of electronic resources,” said Israel Rocha, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “Each day, our providers are working hard to develop and implement hospital initiatives that will allow our patients to receive care in a comfortable and friendly setting. We think giving our patients quick and easy access to library materials while they wait to see a provider is a great way to enhance their overall experience while at Elmhurst. We also see it as an opportunity to improve health literacy as many of the publications available on Digital-Q feature health and wellness articles.”

Digital-Q is part of Queens Library’s ongoing campaign to increase the circulation of its digital collection—including e-books, audio books, and music and streaming services—and to provide greater access to its online learning opportunities, health and community information, and citizenship and “English for Speakers of Other Languages” services. It also aims to make much easier the process of obtaining a Queens library card. To get an e-library card through Digital-Q, all that is needed is an e-mail address, first and last name, phone number, and date of birth. Within seconds of submitting the information, an e-card number and pin number appear on the screen. Both numbers are required to borrow from the library’s e-collection.