Hoopla launches with Hastinet Library Cooperative

By Lashaina Blair-White

BELLEVILLE –Local libraries are taking a step into the future.

Hoopla, a free Netflix-like service, launched with Hastinet Library Cooperative on Monday. The cooperative is an organization that helps libraries gain access to new technology, content and ideas.

It works with branches in Belleville, Frankford and Trenton.

Library-card holders can access up to five movies, ebooks and music albums per month through an app or website.

Trevor Pross, CEO of Belleville Public Library, demonstrated how the app would work from a desktop computer.

Pross told QNet News he has great expectations for this new app.

“What we are hoping is a lot of people who do not necessarily come to the library or they do not use a lot of the material in the library because they are always on the go, but they always have their phone or iPad, they will be using this,” he said.

Despite the positive feedback the app has received, Pross said there are some who have concerns about the future of physical books.

“Everything is changing with libraries, they are trying to stay current. They are not just a place where you come and get books, (however) we are always trying to balance the old and the new… It is still always going to be a place where books are going to be the most popular thing,” he said. “This doesn’t replace it.”

Michael Manon, Chief Brand Manager of the Chicago-based Hoopla, agrees with Pross. He said the app is exactly what libraries wanted.

“We are trying to complement a library’s physical collection, which they have at all their branch locations. We tried to make a really cool app. A digital service so that people can keep accessing content from their local library on the go,” said Manon.

Manon explained an area like Belleville is perfect for Hoopla.

“You have a nice (and) interesting mix of people in a  rural area but there is an urban city setting too. What really works for Hoopla is that you can download all content available via a free mobile app. We did that with a very specific intention, so that a user who might live in a rural area can actually go to the library. They can use the library’s free Wi-Fi, download anything they want from Hoopla and be able to enjoy it anywhere,” he said.

Hoopla is now available to all library-card holders.

Any further questions, contact your local library.