Borrow and enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines, or music everywhere you have a screen-your computer, your phone, your car, even your TV. All you need is a library card. hoopla syncs across all your devices, so you can stream titles immediately or whenever you’re in the mood. Most titles can also be downloaded to your phone or tablet. hoopla offers more content, in more places, than any other digital library platform and it’s all FREE thanks to your public library.
Hoopla (hoopla digital): A Detailed Technical and Platform Overview
Introduction
hoopla, commonly branded as hoopla digital, is a cloud-based digital media streaming and lending platform that enables public libraries to provide patrons instant access to movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and educational content. Unlike traditional library e-lending systems that rely on waitlists and limited digital copies, hoopla pioneered a simultaneous-use, on-demand access model.
Owned by Midwest Tape, hoopla is now used by thousands of libraries worldwide and millions of patrons, making it a critical component of modern digital library ecosystems.
What Is Hoopla?
Hoopla is a library-funded digital content platform that allows:
- Instant borrowing (no holds, no waiting)
- Simultaneous access for all patrons
- Multi-format media consumption across devices
Patrons authenticate using their library card, while libraries pay per borrow rather than purchasing fixed digital licenses.
1. User Access & Authentication Layer
- Library card number + PIN authentication
- Integration with Integrated Library Systems (ILS) such as:
- Polaris
- Sierra
- Symphony
- API-based real-time patron validation
Key design goal: frictionless yet secure access without exposing library credentials to third parties.
2. Content Delivery & Streaming Layer
Hoopla delivers content using:
- Cloud-hosted media services
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for global scalability
- Adaptive bitrate streaming for video and audio
Supported formats:
- Streaming video (movies, TV)
- Streaming music albums
- Downloadable audiobooks and ebooks
- In-app comic and graphic novel readers
Offline access is supported for select formats via mobile apps.
3. Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Hoopla uses format-specific DRM controls:
- Time-limited access (typically 72 hours for video, longer for books)
- Device-bound encryption for downloaded content
- Streaming-only restrictions for licensed video content
Unlike copy-based systems, DRM enforcement is tied to borrow duration, not availability.
Content Model and Licensing
Simultaneous-Use, Pay-Per-Borrow Model
Key differentiator:
- Libraries do not buy individual digital copies
- Each checkout triggers a transactional fee
Advantages
- No waitlists
- High patron satisfaction
- Predictable access experience
Challenges
- Requires careful budget controls
- High usage can drive unexpected costs
Libraries typically enforce:
- Monthly borrow caps per patron
- Daily or monthly spending limits
Media Categories and Catalog
Hoopla’s catalog includes:
- Movies & TV shows (studio and independent)
- Music albums across genres
- Audiobooks (fiction, nonfiction, children’s)
- Ebooks
- Comics & graphic novels
- Educational and instructional content
The comic and graphic novel offering is considered one of hoopla’s strongest differentiators among library platforms.
Supported Platforms
- Web browsers
- iOS and Android mobile apps
- Smart TVs and streaming devices (e.g., Roku, Apple TV)
UX Characteristics
- Search and browse by format, genre, popularity
- Personalized recommendations
- Resume playback and reading
- Simple borrowing workflow (one-click borrow)
The interface is designed for non-technical patrons, emphasizing discoverability and ease of use.
Library Administration and Controls
Admin Dashboard Features
- Usage analytics by format and title
- Cost tracking and forecasting
- Patron cap management
- Content inclusion/exclusion controls
Libraries can:
- Limit borrows per patron
- Adjust monthly budgets dynamically
- Monitor peak usage trends
This control layer is critical given hoopla’s transactional pricing model.
Security and Privacy
Security Controls
- TLS-encrypted communications
- Secure token-based session management
- Separation of library credentials from content systems
Privacy Considerations
- Minimal personal data retention
- No advertising-driven user profiling
- Library-centric data governance model
Hoopla aligns closely with library privacy ethics, distinguishing it from commercial streaming platforms.
Comparison with Other Library Digital Platforms
| Feature | Hoopla | OverDrive / Libby | Kanopy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access model | Simultaneous-use | Copy-based | Credit-based |
| Waitlists | None | Common | None |
| Pricing | Pay-per-borrow | License purchase | Per-play |
| Media types | Very broad | Strong ebooks/audiobooks | Film-focused |
| Comics | Excellent | Limited | None |
Hoopla excels in immediacy and format diversity, while other platforms may offer stronger depth in specific content categories.
Use Cases
- Public libraries serving diverse audiences
- Rural or underfunded libraries needing instant access
- Patrons seeking immediate entertainment or educational content
- Libraries prioritizing accessibility and low friction