Hoopla about Hoopla
It’s almost here! The hoopla launch day is right around the corner – August 14th! Here’s what you need to know to introduce this great new service to our members:
How do you use it?
You can download and stream books, audio, music, comics, tv and movies from the web or your favorite device. For a quick tutorial watch these videos. Better yet, try it out yourself. The service is live and we encourage you to check out something of interest.
How would you describe hoopla?
Hoopla is a groundbreaking digital media service that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later. You can enjoy Hoopla Anytime. Anywhere. Always Available! That means no holds, ever.
How does it work?
Hoopla is available for streaming via the web or downloading/streaming through the hoopla app. Members visit the website and/or download the app then login using their library card number and last name. They should be familiar with this process – it’s very similar to Overdrive! Once in, they can browse, search, and checkout. There’s even an option in the settings which allows users to limit content by age appropriateness.
How do I access Hoopla?
- Visit Hoopla or download the app
- Click the Get Started button
- On the pop-up, search for: METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM
- Click the Next button
- Sign in with your Library Card and Pin (pin is your last name)
- Click the Next button
- Enter your email address and set up a password.
- Click the Next button
- Once you're finished with the sign up process, click the Sign Me Up button (this confirms your account and you're allowed to download and stream content).
A few things to remember:
- All members who use Hoopla must have a valid email address. This email address will become their login/password to access Hoopla in the future.
- Once you've signed up an account using your library card, you can no longer create accounts.
Is there a checkout limit?
Yes, there is. Hoopla is a pay-per-use service so we’re starting out conservative and offering 4 checkouts per month.
But compare that to….
- Scrib –$8.99 per month and gives users 3 ebooks and 1 audiobook a month. Hoopa is free and includes any combination of 4 ebooks, audiobooks, comic, tv, music, and movies!
- Audible - $14.95 per month and only gives users 1 audiobook. Any more and you have to pay. Hoopla is free and offers 4 per month!
- Netflix/HBO/Hulu – the lowest starting price on these services is $8.99 per month. Hoopla is free!
- Comixology – users pay upwards $15 - $20 per title. Hoopla is free and has all the best titles including Saga, DC comics, Sandman, and the Walking Dead!
When do we launch?
August 14th. Due to the nature of pay-per-use, we are “soft launching” this service. That means very little wide marketing. This means it’s up to you to bring hoopla to the members! Recommend the service those begging for streaming video, the ones who constantly bemoan the Overdrive waitlist, and the people wanting more music but threw away their cd players five years ago.
Talking points:
- Metropolitan’s new streaming service, hoopla, brings you movies, television, music, audiobooks, ebooks, and comics.
- There’s no waiting! The book you want is ALWAYS AVAILABLE – day or night.
- Movie night? Let Metro take you out. Hoopla streams movies and popular tv shows in the comfort of your own living room.
- Offering 4 checkouts gives you an audiobook a week – for free!
- Run out of checkouts for the month? Don’t forget our other great emedia platforms – Overdrive and Freegal.
Additional Help & Training
- View the additional training available through Hoopla's Dropbox.
- Contact [email protected] to ask additional questions.
- Log in to post comments
Comments
Hate to be negative on this but I discovered when trying to download the Hoopla app on my 2-in-1 tablet that you can NOT download it onto a device that is Windows based - so basically any of the 2-in-1 tablets. took me 2 hours and finally got an answer from Hoopla that it wouldn't. so essentially you can use Hoopla on your Windows device but have to do so on a browser, using wifi, hotspot, your data.
Just making others aware so to be helpful to members.
Debbie,
Thanks for letting our staff know about the incompatibility of the Windows 2-in-1 tablets. It's important to know that even if this was an option, you would still be using data (through your carrier or through WIFI) to download/stream unto the app. The app is not a stand-alone product where you download the app once and the content is already downloaded. You would need to stream or download any content you checkout with data regardless of device. The browser functionality is similar to OverDrive Listen. While it's through the browser, you would need a dedicated data connection to complete listening.
I hope this information helps.
I thought she told us at the training that once you download you are no longer using your data. What value is this to someone with no internet at home or limited data?
That's correct. But you still have to download it - using data and/or wifi.
yes, you have to use data to download. That I understand but Windows based devices have to use data to read it or watch it, can't download anything, you must use the browser (data) to read or watch.
Today we had a tiny library member come in looking for A Weekend with Wendell to read before school on Monday. There are only 3 copies in the system and they were all checked out. No copies on Overdrive, either. So, as a last-ditch effort I checked Hoopla and sure enough! Wendell was there as an audio book! I was able to download it using my staff account and let the little boy sit at the reference desk and listen to the 8 minute-long story. Having things offered that won't already be checked out is going to be such an amazing thing to offer our members!
To biggie back off of Bridget. I had a library member come into the Downtown branch looking for her book club book to read on her leaving-today trip. The book was an 2011 or older edition. I searched the MLS catalog and we only had the physical copy in our system. Unfortunately, it was not on our Downtown shelf. But then I remembered we have Hoopla now. I searched their system and they had it! I inform the member about our new digital service we now offer. I showed her how she could download the app and have the book to read on her trip. I do have a suggestion just to make it quicker for library staff to find. Could we add the Hoopla link to the side menu on our main intranet page where we have the Novelist and Worldcat?
Thank you,
Jessica M
We've gone ahead and added a quick link to the downloads page which not only includes hoopla but Overdrive, Biblioboard (indie reads), and Freegal. Those are all great places to check if a member can't get their hands on the physical material. Hopefully soon both hoopla and Biblioboard titles will be in the OPAC but until then, thank you to those who remember to check the individual locations!
We've gone ahead and added a quick link to the downloads page which not only includes hoopla but Overdrive, Biblioboard (indie reads), and Freegal. Those are all great places to check if a member can't get their hands on the physical material. Hopefully soon both hoopla and Biblioboard titles will be in the OPAC but until then, thank you to those who remember to check the individual locations!