As many of you know, in an effort to contain ballooning eResources costs, in Fall 2024 we instituted several changes to our lending limits in Libby and Hoopla. (An overview of those changes can be found here.) Despite our valiant efforts across the county, our January 2026 Hoopla bill was more than our August 2024 bill, which was right before we implemented our current checkout limits. Unfortunately, this is simply not sustainable and requires quick action.
Starting April 15, we are implementing a daily spending cap. This sets a dollar amount limit that, once reached, will pause Hoopla checkouts until the next day. The daily cap resets at midnight local time. Unfortunately, managing the expense of a cost per circulation model cannot be effectively done through loan limits alone. The spending cap is the only way to establish a predicable cost while still continuing to offer this popular service.
Patrons will encounter new messaging in the app and browser experiences. This is a collective limit, not to be confused with the personal check out limit, which remains at 5 per month.
This is what it will look like:
Please encourage patrons to use the Favorites button so they can build a curated collection to choose from quickly. The best times to borrow, according to other library systems that have made this change, are just after midnight or before 8am.
Currently, there are limitations on our ability to change the wording of this message and the timing of the daily reset. We will continue to advocate for more control over both of those settings.
We know this is not an ideal solution and that you and patrons will have many questions. Drop-in sessions to share more detailed information and for questions and answers are scheduled for staff:
March 3, 2026, 12:30 pm – 1: 15pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Click Here to Join March 3 Drop In Session
Meeting ID: 246 948 213 077 6
Passcode: pg75Vk26
March 5, 2026, 11:00am – 11:45am
Microsoft Teams meeting
Click Here to Join March 5 Drop In Session
Meeting ID: 286 003 821 453 53
Passcode: SW6Mm6Zx
March 11, 2026, 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Microsoft Teams meeting
Click Here to Join March 11 Drop In Session
Meeting ID: 288 869 839 325 77
Passcode: yR2YC6vV
We will also be modeling our communication and support resources after the September 2024 changes. An FAQ will be provided for staff, and clear and transparent information will be shared with the public.
Following this change, we will monitor the daily turnaways and gather information about the patron and staff experience. Simultaneously, we will continue to explore alternative or additional long-term solutions. Those efforts will include gathering input from stakeholders.
Please reach out to Hilary or Mary if you have any questions.
-Mary Phillips, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh