Downloadables

Hoopla changes coming in April

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

Continue ReadingHoopla changes coming in April

Magazines on the Go

Do you have patrons who love magazines but want the convenience of reading on the go? Don’t forget that Libby and Hoopla both offer access to a wide selection of popular magazine titles anytime, anywhere!

Libby:
The most recent issue appears first for easy access. Looking for older editions? Simply tap All Issues to browse and select the volume you want. Patrons can also click Subscribe to automatically add new issues to their magazine rack. Libby will even send a notification when the latest issue arrives, no waiting required!

Hoopla:
Hoopla offers magazines through a BingePass. With a single checkout, patrons gain access to over 100 popular magazines, including back issues, for an entire week.

It’s a convenient, flexible way for patrons to enjoy their favorite magazines, whether at home or on the go!

Erin, Bridgeville Public Library

Continue ReadingMagazines on the Go

Holidays on Hoopla

We’ve been posting a lot about Hoopla recently – and for good reason! There’s so much available with no wait for library patrons! It’s all FREE for them with their Allegheny County library card.

And with Holidays on Hoopla, users can get great content to make their season merry & bright. From heartwarming Thanksgiving stories to enchanting Christmas adventures and the radiant glow of Hanukkah traditions, Hoopla has the perfect mix to entertain all ages and spirits high throughout the holiday season.

The Holiday Food & Entertaining collection has recipes, tips, and hosting inspo.

Holiday Entertaining

There’s kid-specific collections for Thanksgiving, Christmas & Hanukkah!

All collections

And what romance lover can resist the Countdown to Christmas Hallmark+ BingePass collection?!?

Hallmark+ BingePass

This is just a portion of the holiday & winter collections available! With these resources, you’ll find social media assets and flyers to spread the word about these great collections.

And if you’re looking for additional Hoopla promotional materials, you can find those in the full Hoopla Resource Center. There’s great content to share all year long!

-Richelle, Sewickley Public Library

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Changes to Holds in Libby

Hello Everyone ~

You may have noticed a recent change to holds in Libby and I wanted to give you a bit of a run down on these changes. When you place hold for suspension you will no longer select and end date for that suspension – now you just unsuspend the hold when you are ready! Please note that “Deliver Later” is now replaced with “Suspend” so when you want something later you want to suspend it.

If you currently have a hold in Libby and you check on it then you will see a notice letting you know about this change. Don’t be alarmed – all you need to know is that when you are ready you just unsuspend that hold. You don’t need to figure out a date for your hold suspensions (“Deliver Later”) anymore just go and unsuspend when you are ready.

Please be aware suspends for more than a year will lapse (meaning that it if a hold is suspended for 365 days in a row it will be cancelled). Also, if you miss your hold on the first try it will be automatically suspended until you unsuspend it!

The Libby Help page will have videos on suspensions soon but in the meantime should you need a help video for Libby please click here!

Happy Reading When You Want,

~Adrianne, Northland Library

Continue ReadingChanges to Holds in Libby