NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens and Queens Library Introduce Free Access to Digital Magazines
"Digital-Q" Seamlessly Delivers 200 Popular Magazine Titles and 10,000 Issues to Smart Phones, Tablets and Desktops as Part of Queens Library's Campaign to Increase User Engagement
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens to Support the New Service Through a Joint Marketing Campaign with Queens Library and its Wi-Fi Network
Dec 01, 2016
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens and Queens Library today launched “Digital-Q”, a new 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.
The application, available at www.digitalq.nyc, offers 200 magazine titles and current and back issues covering nearly 40 subjects including personal finance, sports, travel and pets, as well as health and well-being. The site is powered by the Zinio digital publishing platform, which uses technology and high-quality page resolution that simulate reading a paper magazine. The service is available to patients, visitors and employees.
“Queens Library is proud to partner with Queens Hospital to deliver the best experience possible to our respective customers,” said Queens Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Digital-Q is the latest in a series of tech initiatives the Library has undertaken to bring our services and collections to a much wider audience, whether they’re in a hospital, a correctional facility, a shelter or their own homes. We are grateful to NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens for helping us expand our reach throughout the community.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens is on a quest to enhance the overall patient experience and encourage patient engagement, whether folks are with us for a few hours or for a longer stay,” said Queens CEO Chris Roker. “We want our patients and their visitors to feel at home in our surroundings and have access to materials that will enable them to continue to learn, even as they are waiting to see their doctor. With the introduction of Digital-Q, people’s cellphones can truly serve more than just a means of communicating with loved ones, but also as a source of mental stimulation. We are excited about joining with Queens Library to further cultivate our patient experience.”
At NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, 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.
“This partnership with Queens Library is consistent with the efforts of our health system to promote the many positive benefits health literacy can have on community health,” said former NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Interim CEO Dona Green, who initially collaborated with Queens Library President and CEO Dennis Walcott to see the project to fruition. “The new service empowers our patients to take better care of themselves and their families.”
Digital-Q is part of Queens Library’s ongoing campaign to increase the circulation of its digital collection, including e-books, audio books, music and streaming services and 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.