App takes use of library to a new level

The Huntington Beach Public Library is aiming to stay current with the changes in technology through a new digital app.

Hoopla Digital, which was adopted by the library in November and is utilized by thousands of libraries across the country, allows library users to digitally check out movies, audio books and comic books for free. More than 300,000 titles are available.

Movie selections include Academy Award-winning films and children’s flicks, including Disney titles.

“We noticed more and more that people’s media habits are changing,” said Steven Park, senior librarian of technology and support services at the library. “They’re always on their phones or tablets. I think because that’s evolving, we kind of have to evolve too.”

Users can check out 10 items per month with the option of renewing them. Items are automatically returned after one month if not renewed. Any number of users can check out a certain title at the same time.

Hoopla is available to download on smartphones and tablets through the Android Market and App Store. It can also be accessed at hoopladigital.com. Users sign up for the app using the identification number on the back of their library card. They can then log in and check out digital books, comic books and music as well as stream movies in the style of Netflix.

Library staff is available to help users get familiar with the app and how it works.

The app was first released by its parent company, media distributor Midwest Tape, in 2013.

Jeff Jankowski, owner and founder of Hoopla Digital, said Midwest Tape has been servicing libraries with physical media including DVDs, CDs and audiobooks for more than 25 years.

“We wanted to create a digital platform that really took advantage of the technology that didn’t allow any late fees and [allowed] access to materials without waiting, so libraries could stay relevant to the shifting demographic needs of their patrons,” he said of Hoopla.

Park said he also hopes new technology tools like Hoopla, which costs the library about $17,000 for a year’s use, will spark people’s interest in libraries.

He said the app is currently being used by several libraries in Orange County, but he didn’t have a specific number.

All residents of Orange County who have a library card can use the Huntington Beach library and have access to Hoopla.

So far, about 154 library patrons have signed up for Hoopla, with each active user borrowing an average of three items per month, Park said in early December.

Stephanie Beverage, director of library services, said the app also expands the number of titles in the library.

Currently, the library has about 30,000 CDS, movies and e-books, but Hoopla raises that number significantly.

“Our goal is to make things readily and easily acceptable for our patrons,” she said. “We’re always looking at new services that are coming out to see if they’ll meet needs in the community. We know our movies and books on CD are very popular, and people are moving more toward mobile devices. We thought this was the perfect solution. We’re expecting it to be quite popular.”