Hoopla (digital media service)

Hoopla (stylized as hoopla) is a web and mobile (Android/iOS) library media streaming platform launched in 2010 for audio books, comics, e-books, movies, music, and TV. Patrons of a library that supports Hoopla have access to its collection of digital media.

Hoopla
IndustryeBooks, Library Services, School Services, Digital Content Management
GenreSoftware, media playback
Founded2010 (2010)
Headquarters,
Area served
USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
Productshoopla digital
ParentMidwest Tape (2013–present)
Websitewww.hoopladigital.com

Hoopla Digital is a division of Midwest Tape.[1][2]

Business model

Hoopla is free-of-charge for patrons of participating libraries. The content is paid for by library systems, using a "per circulation transaction model".[3][4]

Content

Hoopla claims to have over 500,000 content titles across six formats,[3][5] including over 25,000 comic books.[6] As of November 2016, Hoopla's content comprised 35% audiobooks (for which Hoopla has contracts with publishers such as Blackstone Audio,[7] HarperCollins,[8] Simon & Schuster Audio,[9] Tantor Audio,[10] and others), followed by 22% movies (for which Hoopla has motion picture contracts with publishers such as Disney,[11] Lionsgate,[12] Starz,[13] Warner Bros.,[14] and others), 19% music, 12% ebooks, 6% comics, and 6% television.[5] One drawback is that Hoopla has few new bestsellers.[6]

Areas Served

Hoopla expanded to serve Australia[15] and New Zealand[16] in June 2021.

Technology

Hoopla content can be borrowed and consumed on the web, or via the native Android or iOS apps.[17]

Parent company

John Eldred and Jeff Jankowski founded Hoopla's parent company, Midwest Tape, in 1989. Midwest Tape is a library vendor of physical media such as audiobooks, CDs, and DVD/Blu-ray.[18]

Controversy

Hoopla and Midwest Tapes were censured by the Library Freedom Project and Library Futures in a joint statement for hosting what it described as "fascist propaganda", including a recent English translation of A New Nobility of Blood and Soil by Richard Walther Darré of the SS and books related to Holocaust denial, in public library collections without the input from the staff. Criticism was also directed at the inclusion of books on homosexuality, abortion, and vaccines claimed by the Library Freedom Project and Library Futures to be misinformation. On February 17, 2022, Hoopla removed a number of titles after public outcry about Holocaust denial books available on the app under non-fiction.[19]

See also

References

  1. "Netflix-style on demand streaming movies, TV & audio coming to the Los Angeles Public Library". 89.3 KPCC. Southern California Public Radio. March 5, 2013.
  2. "Reviews: Beta Testers Weigh In On Hoopla". Library Journal. April 29, 2013.
  3. "Hoopla". vendor.hoopladigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  4. "Midwest Tape Launches Hoopla Pilot for Pay-Per-Circ Streaming Media". Digital Shift. Media Source Inc. March 4, 2013.
  5. "eAudiobooks are in High Demand!". hub.hoopladigital.com. Hoopla Library Admin Site. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  6. Tibken, Shara (April 9, 2023). "The Money-Saving Power of Your Library Card". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  7. "Blackstone Audio on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  8. "Harper Collins on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  9. "Simon & Schuster Audio on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  10. "Tantor Audio on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  11. "Walt Disney Pictures on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-13. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  12. "Lionsgate Entertainment on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  13. "Starz on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  14. "Warner Brothers on hoopla digital". HooplaDigital.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  15. Mem: 10092928. "Digital library service hoopla expands to Australia | Books+Publishing". Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  16. Albanese |, Andrew. "Midwest Tape's Hoopla Expands Internationally—and at Home". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  17. "Magazines, movies and more". Holland Sentinel. December 6, 2013.
  18. Enis, Matt (May 21, 2015). "hoopla Adds Ebooks and Comics, Develops "Action View" Technology for App". Library Journal. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  19. Library Freedom Project (Feb 22, 2022). "We demand accountability from Hoopla Digital and OverDrive regarding the platforming of fascist propaganda in their digital library collections". Library Freedom.
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