I was promised a .pdf, Libby.

Have you ever been listening to an eAudiobook in Libby, and the narrator refers to a .pdf that accompanies the book? Have you also felt your frustration sink into despair when you are unable to find this promised .pdf anywhere in Libby? I’ve certainly been there.  

While it is true that neither the Libby nor the Hoopla apps support the supplementary content that would accompany the eAudio title had you purchased it on the consumer market, I am here today to show you a trick that can get you that sweet extra content that audiobook narrators dangle so tantalizingly into your ear drums. 

The trick? Why, it’s none other than acla.overdrive.com. You read that correctly. As long as the library’s by-now classic OverDrive catalog lives on, you can find, download, and savor those .pdfs!  

Remember this? It’s OverDrive’s pre-Libby online catalog.  

One more time, that’s acla.overdrive.com. Once you’ve found a title you’re interested in, you’ll see that its record states that it “includes supplementary content.” 

Not every eAudiobok will have this, but if the item does have it, it will be listed in the catalog record. After you check the item out, you will see a little paperclip in the right top corner of the Success! pop up box and also on your Loans page. That is your key to those elusive files! Clicking on it prompts you to “Read now in browser,” which will pop open a new tab with the goods.  

In this case, the extra content is a fantastic list of further reading! There are several pages you can peruse either by using the arrow keys or clicking and dragging to the next page.  

Again, not every eAudiobook contains extra content. If it does, though, it will say so at the bottom of the book’s description in Libby, and narrators often refer to it. So, it’s good to know that as long as acla.overdrive.com survives, there is a way to retrieve it! 

-Mary Phillips – Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 

Continue ReadingI was promised a .pdf, Libby.

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.

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

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

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

Continue ReadingHolidays on Hoopla

Hoopla Bonus Borrows Coming Soon!

Thanks to my long list of romance authors I want to check out, I have been what I would consider a heavy Hoopla user this year – and I still forget to take advantage of my bonus borrows! This is a great feature Hoopla offers that your patrons – and maybe staff! – probably need a reminder about.

In the last week of every month, Hoopla offers a selection of titles as bonus borrows. These can be checked out with ZERO cost to the library and, since it counts as a bonus, it doesn’t use up one of the 5 checkout spots. Sure, you’re not able to freely browse – this is a curated collection offered up by Hoopla, but it includes eBooks, audiobooks, comics, TV, movies, and a BingePass, so there’s something for everybody.

So maybe you’re about to go on vacation and want to squeeze in a TV show on your days off. Maybe you’ve got a patron just trying to get a little extra on their summer reading challenge. This month, bonus borrows are available from July 25th – July 31st, so you’ve got time to start spreading the word! If you check out Hoopla’s resource center (an incredible service in its own right that I also forget to take full advantage of!), they’ve got graphics you can post to your social media or display around your libraries.

-Jaime @ Penn Hills Library

Continue ReadingHoopla Bonus Borrows Coming Soon!

Marketing Tools from hoopla

Looking for a way to share more library resources? hoopla makes it easy!

hoopla offers an abundance of marketing and outreach resources that make sharing the collections with library users simple. Visit the hoopla Resource Center to find lists of featured collections, digital and printable marketing assets and even suggested post content.

View the Editorial Calendar for tools pertaining to upcoming holidays and themes. Find more general marketing materials in the Marketing & Outreach portion of the site.

Use this chance to schedule some posts highlighting online collections during the holiday season!

Hanukkah for Kids

Don’t forget to check back throughout the year to discover more resources and collections to share!

Wishing you & yours a happy holiday!

– Richelle @ Sewickley Public Library

Continue ReadingMarketing Tools from hoopla