Library's digital streaming service launches March 3
Beginning Monday, March 3, Hoover residents can connect to a digital library of thousands of songs, movies and TV shows through their library cards.
Hoover Public Library is launching a new service called Hoopla that provides cardholders with access a storehouse of digital media through download and streaming services.
“There are no holds, no waiting and it doesn’t cost anything,” Library Assistant Director Patricia Guarino said.
Guarino said Hoopla’s library contains more than 100,000 songs, and many are new releases. So, cardholders that want to hear the latest Taylor Swift or Bruno Mars album can check them out the day they hit the shelves.
Hoopla’s Movies and TV shows are at least two years old, Guarino said, but the service provides access to popular titles from the BBC. It also has an extended list of documentary and educational programming.
Movies and TV shows can be checked out from Hoopla for three days, and music can be checked out for seven.
“[The Library is] really moving more into the digital world now,” Guarino said. “Patrons are telling us they want 24/7 digital services at their fingertips, and we found a service we like.”
Guarino said the library considered three different digital content providers and put each through a lengthy evaluation before selecting Hoopla.
Checkout for Library patrons will be limited to 10 items a month, as Hoopla charges the library for each transaction. Guarino said the Library would monitor use of the service and set future limitations according to its budget.
The service launches March 3, and a link to download the application will be available at hooverlibrary.org.
To access the system on a mobile device, patrons will need to visit hoopladigital.com or download the free digital app to their Android or IOS devices. Guarino said signing up is simple, requiring little more than confirmation of the card number. There is no need to download an app or extension for Internet browsers.
For more, visit hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7821.
To view titles offered on the Hoopla service, visit hoopladigital.com/browse.