Reminder: Libby and Hoopla Changes Coming September 1!

What’s happening?

The Libby and Hoopla changes are going into effect Sunday, September 1, 2024 for all Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County libraries. To recap, the following changes will take place:

  • Reduce Libby holds from 20 to 10 at a time
  • Reduce Libby borrows from 20 to 10 at a time 
  • Reduce hoopla borrows from 15 to 5 per month  
  • Require PIN authentication to the Libby sign-in process

Is there an in-depth explanation available for me to read or listen to?

A comprehensive explanation of these changes and the rationale behind these decisions can be found here.

We have a FAQ document for Staff to inform and equip you to address this topic when connecting with colleagues and patrons.

You can also check out the eChanges Drop-In Session Recording, which provides helpful insight and tips for navigating these changes.

How can I prepare my patrons for these changes?

In addition to being prepared to discuss these changes, you can provide your patrons with the handy eChanges Public Brochure and eTips updated informational handouts.

An extra tip: when you create or update library cards for patrons moving forward, make sure you mention the importance of adding a PIN. It allows them to access eResources and secures their account.

– Derek, South Park Township Library

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Libby update will help prevent language confusion!

Libby’s latest update introduces a prompt to users when they borrow, place a hold, or add a “Notify Me” tag to a title in a language different from the one they have set as their app preference.

The goal of this feature is to reduce instances of accidentally borrowing or requesting books in a language they aren’t familiar with. This is especially helpful when a title’s language may not be clear from the cover image (which is often!).

If the user selects “Yes, I Can Read It” from the prompt, Libby will complete the action they were taking. If the user doesn’t want the title in that language, Libby will try to find it in the language the user speaks based on app preferences and past language confirmation prompts.

Not only will this help users to avoid checking out or requesting items they can’t read, it will also hopefully prevent library selectors from having to wade through accidental requests in other languages, and be assured that any that do come through are deliberate!

Click here to learn more about available language options for Libby.

– Heather Auman, Western Allegheny Community Library

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New updates for Magazines in Libby!



Libby will soon introduce the following enhancements to how users discover and enjoy magazines:
One tap to read: When a reader discovers a magazine anywhere in the app, they can open it and start reading with one tap.

Streamlined access: Instead of appearing alongside eBook and audiobook loans, magazines will be moved to a new dedicated section of the Shelf summary, called the Magazine Rack. From the Magazine Rack, users will see the latest issue of their magazine subscriptions and any other issues they choose to check out.

Easier subscriptions: Users can subscribe to magazines via a new, convenient Subscribe option from magazine search results and title details pages. When a new issue is released, it will automatically be added to the user’s Magazine Rack.

Improved discovery: From the Magazine Rack, users can navigate to the Newsstand, a new view of a user’s recently opened issues and other popular magazine titles in your collection.

Hope these changes roll out soon, because they all sound GREAT!

–Heather Auman, Western Allegheny Community Library
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Get Ready, Get Set, GROW!

It’s that time of year again where avid gardeners are planning out their summer designs. Did you know that Libby and Hoopla has a large collection of Gardening materials?

https://libbyapp.com/search/acla/search/query-Gardening/subject-31/page-1

https://www.hoopladigital.com/search?q=gardening

Next time a patron asks for gardening books, don’t forget to check out the e-resources and all they have available!

Gabi – Robinson Library

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