Especially with the Hoopla changes coming May 1…now’s the perfect time for a reminder to take advantage of “bonus borrows.” Bonus Borrows, which are available the last seven days of every month, are not impacted by the overall daily spending cap in Allegheny County and also do not count as part of the 5 borrow monthly limit per person. Titles include books, movies, and more, and there are quite a few to choose from. So regardless of whether you’ve reached your personal limit, or your library has reached its daily limit – there’ll be things to borrow on the last week of the month!
Bonus Borrows show up as a list on the main page of the app when they are launched. This month’s are available March 25-31.
-Heather Auman, Western Allegheny Community Library
In September 2024, in an effort to contain ballooning eResources costs, we instituted several changes to our lending limits in Libby and Hoopla. An overview of those changes can be found here. Despite our 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 May 1, 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 Spending 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.
The Daily Spending Cap is a collective limit, not to be confused with the personal check out limit, which remains at 5 borrows per month.
Bonus Borrows, which are available the last seven days of every month, are not impacted by the Daily Spending Cap. Bonus Borrows let you borrow library books, movies, and more and do not count as part of the 5 borrow monthly limit.
Once the Daily Spending Cap is reached for the day, a message will be displayed in the Hoopla app and browser experience when a borrow is attempted. Here is an example of what the message will look like:
Notification message in the Hoopla app informing users that the daily borrowing limit has been reached and will reset at midnight.
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.
We are modeling our communication and support resources after the September 2024 changes. An FAQ and talking points will be provided for staff, and clear and transparent information will be shared with the public.
After May 1, we will be monitoring the daily turnaways and gathering information about the patron and staff experience. Simultaneously, we will explore alternative or additional long-term solutions. Those efforts will include gathering input from stakeholders.
*Please note that the original date for the Daily Spending Cap to begin was April 15 but that has been modified to May 1.
Please reach out to Hilary Lewis or Mary Phillips if you have any questions.
Some of us have been lucky to learn at an early age how to be financially responsible. A parent, a teacher or some other trusted adult might have shown us how to keep track of our spending, how to manage a budget, and how to save for our future. But others may not have been as fortunate. Luckily we have access to a free resource, Financial Fit, that can help those that have no idea where to start, but want to learn. Or even for those that know the basics but would like to have a long-term plan.
After setting up a free account, there are many options to choose from for learning. It starts with the Basics and moves on to more complex financial concerns such as planning for retirement.
Once you have chosen your topic, there will be several short videos to watch along with easy to follow written lessons. There is even a button for a notepad to keep track of your thoughts or questions. There is even the option to finish the lesson later so you can go at your own pace.
At our library, we are constantly in search of tools that make the journey of reading discovery enjoyable, meaningful, and accessible. NoveList K-8 Plus stands out as one of our top choices for supporting students, caregivers, and educators!
What Is NoveList K-8 Plus?
NoveList K-8 Plus is an online readers’ advisory and book recommendation database specifically designed for children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. This fantastic resource helps young readers—and the adults guiding them—find books that they will love, whether it’s the ideal next read or titles related to classroom subjects. You can easily access it via your library’s website using your library card, providing free access to curated reading support from the comfort of home, school, or the library.
What Makes It So Helpful?
Here’s how kids, parents, and educators can benefit from NoveList K-8 Plus:
Discover books by reading level and interest
Search by grade range, genre, or topics like “friendship,” “superheroes,” or “mystery” to uncover books that match both reading ability and curiosity.
Receive read-alike suggestions
Loved a book? Find similar titles, authors, and series recommendations that keep kids engaged and excited.
Explore both fiction and nonfiction
Whether it’s picture books, chapter books, or informational texts, NoveList K-8 Plus encourages reading for enjoyment and learning.
Browse curated, theme-based reading lists
Searching for award-winning titles, seasonal reads, or books related to classroom units? There are hundreds of ready-made lists to explore.
Why It’s Great for Libraries
As library staff, we appreciate how NoveList K-8 Plus aids reader advisory in a kid-friendly manner. Its user-friendly interface and expertly curated content simplify the process of:
Answering questions like “Can you suggest books similar to this one?”
Creating reading lists for display or instruction
Assisting families in finding books that align with their interests and abilities
Supporting classroom teaching with age-appropriate, curriculum-aligned recommendations
