Forget waiting lists, late fees and long lineups at the theatre.
Hoopla, a streaming media service boasting thousands of movies, TV series, music titles, audio books and documentaries, is coming to the Red Deer Public Library.
Starting on July 30, library users can borrow content depending on the loan type. Movies and television episodes are available for up to three days while music and audio books will be available for one to two weeks.
All that is needed is a valid library card, a web browser, a tablet or a mobile phone.
“It’s kinda like Netflix for the library,” said Briana Ehnes, the library’s digital literacy co-ordinator.
Ehnes said there’s something for everybody in the database with thousands of titles. Patrons must go onto the Hoopla website or a smartphone app to sign up using their valid library card, an email address and a PIN.
Ehnes said borrowers can either watch the media streaming online instantly on any device or by downloading the content temporarily to watch later. The content automatically returns itself after the lending period.
A limit of five checkouts each month will be in place.
“It’s a great service and it’s nice to be able to offer people something other than audio books and e-magazines, which are popular, but it’s nice to be able to offer people something like this,” said Ehnes. “People might not have access to Netflix at their own home. This is another way for them to offer streaming content.”
Ehnes said public libraries are always trying to provide materials that patrons want in any form.
“It keeps us relevant and that’s what keeps our customers happy,” said Ehnes. “I think offering something like this with a variety of titles and the variety of e-books, audio books that you can download, there’s a lot of choice for people.”
Hoopla is being implemented in nearly 300 libraries across the province, including those in the Parkland Regional Library.
In June, the Mary C. Moore Public Library in Lacombe launched the service.
Sign up at www.hoopladigital.com and for library membership information, visit www.rdpl.org/membership.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com