Library will no longer offer Hoopla

I often like to use this space to talk about the services and resources the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library offers. Unfortunately, the challenging budget reality facing public libraries means difficult decisions are necessary, and today I am using this column to discuss a resource we must give up. Effective Oct. 31, 2025, FHCPL will no longer provide access to Hoopla. We know that patrons who use Hoopla love this resource. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible for the library to afford to provide a good user experience. The cost for this pay-per-use service continues to grow and, in 2025, it required 20% of the library's materials budget. Hoopla is responsible for just 4% of our circulation and maintaining it has come at an unsustainable cost to the rest of the library's collection. Going forward, we anticipate reallocating a portion of the Hoopla budget to the Ohio Digital Library collection, helping to reduce hold wait times. For both our current ODL users and those patrons who may be switching over, here are a few tips to make the most of this great resource. Place Holds — Cardholders may have up to 20 items on hold at a time in ODL. As an avid audiobook listener, I always have my next several selections lined up on hold. By suspending those holds for varying lengths of time, I can make sure they don't all become available at once. Browse Collections — Carefully curated collections make it easy to explore ODL to find a surprise. When you "Need a new book right now!" (trust me, I get it), you can limit the results just to items that are currently available. Wish List — It can be hard to keep track of everything you want to read, and frustrating when you come across too many titles you'd love to explore. The wish list feature lets you keep track of up to 5,000 titles you'd like to check out later. Then, when you need that next book, it's easy to browse your wish list to see what's available now. Notify Me — Most patrons access the ODL through its Libby app. One of my favorite features in the app is "notify me." When I search for a book that has not published yet, it is often listed with a publication date and the option to be notified once the title has been added to the ODL collection. Once you get that notification, it's easy to check out or place a hold on the new addition. We remain committed to providing our community with the best library possible with the resources available and look forward to helping you explore the Ohio Digital Library and FHCPL's many other resources. Sarah Clevidence is director of Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.