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QC09112014

FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com september 11, 2014 • The Queens Courier 25 Queens Library wins Best Practices Award for its custom Nexus interface BY ASHA MAHADEVAN editorial@queenscourier.com The Queens Library’s initiative to lend electronic tablets against library cards has won it the 2014 Best Practices Award, given by the New York Library Association’s Public Libraries Section every two years to a public library or public library system that uses technology A Better Kind of Cancer Care “No hospital in the region offers more treatment options for prostate cancer patients than Winthrop.” Dr. Aaron E. Katz is Chairman of Winthrop’s Department of Urology and an internationally recognized teacher and clinician who joined Winthrop from a prestigious New York City academic medical center. He is a widely published author and a pioneer in the use of cryotherapy and active holistic surveillance for prostate cancer. “After 20 years at a major metropolitan teaching hospital, I moved over to one of the most outstanding medical centers in the nation: Winthrop-University Hospital. I  rmly believe that Winthrop cancer care is the highest I have seen. Our prostate cancer program is the most progressive I know of, with modalities including CyberKnife®, cryotherapy, minimally invasive robotic surgery and active holistic surveillance. It all comes down to what’s best for each patient. “I truly believe that at Winthrop we’re providing a better kind of cancer care.” …†‡ Firs…t† S‡t rFeierstt, MStinreeeotl,a M, Nineewo lYao, Nrke ŽwŽ† Y‘oŽr k• ŽŽŽ.“†”‘”Ž. W• ŽI.N“T”H”R.WOIPN T• HwRinOtPhr •o pw.oinrtghrop.org CCAABBLLEEVVIISSIIOONN CCHH 665522 to promote its services. Since November 2013, the Queens Library has been lending Google Nexus tablets to its customers against their library cards. The library received 5,000 of the 17,000 tablets that Google donated to help Hurricane Sandy-affected areas. The library developed a custom interface called Mobile Discovery and Delivery Platform, which is pre-loaded with library resources and information on subjects such as job skills training, immigrant services and education. This interface is integrated with the tablets, and when the tablets are connected to Wi-Fi, users can access more content from the library. Queens Library President and CEO Thomas W. Galante said in a statement that the library’s goal in developing the custom interface was to make the library’s information and resources accessible to everyone, “even if they do not have Wi-Fi access or previous experience with computers.” This innovation impressed the Public Libraries Section (PLS) board, said Sara Dallas, PLS president. “The library deserves congratulations for promoting this growingly important form of digital literacy in the Queens community,” she said. “Libraries throughout New York and the world can learn from their pioneering efforts.” The tablets are currently being loaned from eight library locations including the Central Library in Jamaica. This fall, tablet lending will be expanded to libraries in Forest Hills, Flushing, Jackson Heights, Bayside, Long Island City and Cambria Heights. More locations will be added throughout the winter. File photo Anonymous donor gives Flushing Town Hall fundraiser challenge BY PAULINA TAM editorial@queenscourier.com An anonymous benefactor has given a proposal to Flushing Town Hall: If the arts center can raise $35,000 in donations by Feb. 28, 2015, the donor will match that amount, meaning that it could receive $70,000 in donations if the challenge is met. Flushing Town Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek says they are excited to take on the challenge. “It’s not every day that an institutional supporter presents such an offer,” she said. “We’re confident that many of those people — from Queens and beyond — who have enjoyed Flushing Town Hall over the years will step up to the plate and pitch in.” A member of Flushing Town Hall’s board of trustees served as a channel for the donor’s proposition. The undisclosed donor describes Flushing Town Hall as a hidden gem that will further shine through the generous donations of others. “I truly believe in this institution — and I hope that this challenge will motivate others to open their wallets and hearts, thereby enabling this gem to be brighter than ever, enriching the culture of this diverse community,” the anonymous donor said. Donations to the “Challenge Grant” must be newly accepted or increased contributions time stamped from Sept. 8 until Feb. 28. For more information about the grant or to make a donation, visit www.flushingtownhall. org/35challenge.


QC09112014
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