By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 11/23/2015
Recorded live in New York, it’s More To Come, the weekly podcast of comics news, interviews and discussion with Calvin Reid, Kate Fitzsimons and The Beat’s own Heidi MacDonald! This week, the More to Come Crew – Heidi “The Beat” MacDonald, Calvin Reid and Kate Fitzsimons – discuss digital comics news from Archie, Hoopla, Google […]
By: Heidi MacDonald,
on 6/25/2015
In their struggle to stay relevant in the technology-obsessed 21st century, many public libraries have turned towards e-book services to keep membership levels high. Historically, comic book publishers have been slow to embrace digital reading, with Dark Horse Comics only having joined Comixology this week. However, today DC Comics began its partnership with public library e-book app Hoopla to bring select titles to subscribers around the United States.
Right now, 18 titles are available via the service, comprised of a number of collected trades including Batman: The Long Halloween, Watchmen, Superman: Red Son, Final Crisis, and The Killing Joke. In order to access these titles, you will need a local library membership at a branch that supports Hoopla. According to Engadget, Hoopla will add additional DC titles to its library each week, and there will be over 200 DC titles available for borrowing by the end of the summer. Hoopla’s digital service uses an “action view” feature akin to Comixology’s guided reading mode.
It’s great to see major comic book publishers like DC providing free access to titles and supporting local libraries. Comics are an expensive hobby, and the cost can be a major turnoff for new readers. Granting the public access to classic titles like Watchmen will hopefully expand paid comics readership in the long term. For now though, I need to get a new library card.
By: Digital Content Task Force,
on 5/24/2014
Many libraries are now offering Hoopla, an innovative new service that gives you access to thousands of streaming movies and television, music, and audiobook titles, all for free. All you need is your customer is their library card to get started. This is proving to be a very popular service we are offering in my library since it is being widely used, but by adults.
What you may not know is Hoopla is an excellent resource for children’s materials too. I was delighted to find a wide assortment of fun and interesting titles for our youngest customers. Not only does Hoopla’s catalog offer classic titles in audiobooks and movies but current, recently released audiobooks and even movies that were in the theater just last year! 
Even more impressive is their children’s music collection. There were so many titles available, from story time favorites, Disney tunes and riffs on many popular “grown-up bands such as The Police, beach Boys and U-2. If you would like your little one to explore music from other cultures, Hoopla is your answer. Their catalog offers a wide array of world music offerings.
If you haven’t explored Hoopla, I don’t know what you are waiting for! Check it out, your customers will be in for a very pleasant surprise. Hoopla movies are offered on a streaming basis on your computer. You may also use an Apple or Android for access to Hoopla, you will have the option to download for offline access. Items that are downloaded are returned automatically at the end of the lending period. What’s the best part? No late fees! Please visit your mobile devices app store to download and install this free digital app today.
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Allison Santos, ALSC Digital Task Force,
Director; Princeton Children’s Book Festival, Princeton, NJ
Folks, if you’re not listening to this podcast, you’re missing a real treat. Heidi is often more candid on the podcast than she is in her writing. So listen in!