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Leveraging Library Media Resources in Education: Reevaluating Hoopla’s Potential for Supplemental Learning

In the era of digital learning, educational institutions increasingly adopt platforms built specifically for teaching and assessment. Yet, other digital services—originating outside formal education—may still offer supplemental value. Hoopla Digital (hereafter “Hoopla”) is one such platform: a library-based media streaming service that allows library patrons to borrow and consume a variety of media. While Hoopla was not designed as an educational technology (EdTech) system, its content breadth and partnerships suggest possible uses in support of learning, if integrated carefully and realistically.

This article reexamines Hoopla’s features, revises earlier assumptions based on current evidence, and discusses its potential and limitations in educational settings. The goal is to present a grounded, nuanced view of where Hoopla may contribute—and where it does not—in supplementing classroom learning.

Hoopla: Updated Overview and Features

Core Service Model

Hoopla is a digital media service licensed through public (and some regional) libraries. Patrons with valid library cards can borrow or stream content via web or mobile apps. Hoopla describes itself as offering over 1.5 million titles across formats such as eBooks, audiobooks, comics/manga, music, movies, and TV shows (Hoopla Digital, 2025a).


Unlike traditional digital lending platforms with limited copies and hold queues, Hoopla employs a pay-per-use licensing model, claiming that content is “available immediately, no waits or holds required” (Hoopla Digital, 2025b). The library pays a fee each time a patron borrows an item, regardless of whether it is consumed (Spokane County Library District, 2023).

Hoopla also offers BingePass, which provides access to an entire thematic collection or partner service for a limited period with a single borrow (Hoopla Digital, 2025c).

Borrowing Policies, Limits, and Variability

While Hoopla advertises no waiting lists, its practical implementation includes borrowing caps imposed by individual libraries:

  • San Francisco Public Library permits patrons to check out up to 30 electronic items per month, with loan periods of 21 days (eBooks/audiobooks), 72 hours (movies/TV), or 7 days (music) (San Francisco Public Library, n.d.).

  • Pioneer Library System allows 6 monthly borrows, with similar loan lengths (Pioneer Library System, n.d.).

  • Some libraries employ a daily or monthly budget cap to manage costs (Spokane County Library District, 2023).

These differences mean that availability and borrowing rights vary by library and region.

Service Regions and Partnerships

Hoopla is currently available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (Wikipedia, 2025).

One notable partnership is Smile and Learn, which Hoopla offers via BingePass to provide educational games, stories, and interactive content for children in multiple languages (Hoopla Digital, 2025d).

Recently, the Boston Public Library announced it would discontinue Hoopla starting September 2025, citing high costs associated with the pay-per-use model—reportedly three times more than alternative digital resources (Zezima, 2025). This highlights the financial sustainability challenges for libraries.

Educational Potential

Literacy & Multimodal Reading Support

Hoopla’s catalog includes eBooks, audiobooks, and graphic novels, which can support literacy development. Multimodal access to texts benefits struggling readers, English language learners, and reluctant readers (Gavigan, 2014). While Hoopla is not built for instruction, these media affordances align with evidence-based strategies that foster engagement and comprehension.

Supplemental Curiosity & Enrichment Content

Documentaries, nonfiction films, and themed collections (via BingePass) allow learners to explore topics beyond curriculum standards. Instructors might assign optional viewing to extend background knowledge.

Social-Emotional or Inclusive Resources

Through Smile and Learn, Hoopla provides children’s content emphasizing social and emotional learning (SEL), multilingual literacy, and inclusivity. Though not equivalent to validated SEL curricula, such resources can supplement classroom goals when contextualized by teachers.

Home / Community Access & Equity Considerations

Because access is mediated by public libraries, Hoopla can extend learning beyond schools. Families with internet access and devices may use Hoopla collaboratively, strengthening home-school connections.

Limitations

  1. No teacher dashboard or assessment tools: Hoopla lacks progress tracking, assignment systems, or integration with learning management systems.

  2. Cost and sustainability concerns: The Boston case illustrates budget challenges with pay-per-use licensing (Zezima, 2025).

  3. Content variability: Titles and borrowing rights differ across libraries.

  4. Access inequality: Students without devices, internet, or library membership are excluded.

  5. Lack of empirical evidence: No peer-reviewed studies demonstrate Hoopla’s direct impact on academic outcomes.

Recommendations

  • Curate specific titles aligned with curriculum goals.

  • Pair content with active tasks, e.g., reflection prompts, writing assignments, or discussions.

  • Coordinate with librarians to manage borrowing caps and ensure relevant titles are licensed.

  • Evaluate impact locally through surveys or classroom reflections.

Conclusion

Hoopla is not an educational technology platform in the strict sense, but its wide catalog and library-based access model offer potential supplemental value in education. It can enrich literacy efforts, provide optional enrichment content, and connect learning across school and home. At the same time, cost pressures, limited pedagogical scaffolding, and access inequalities constrain its classroom role.


Educators should therefore view Hoopla as a complementary resource, not a substitute for dedicated EdTech platforms. When used thoughtfully, Hoopla highlights the role of libraries as partners in creating broader learning ecosystems.

References

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