By Renee Larr
Carmel Clay Public Library cardholders now have expanded access to free digital content through a partnership that launched Aug. 31.
The library became the 20th in the state to partner with Hoopla Digital, which allows users to view a variety of library material on their computer, smartphone or other device.
“We’re trying to be the library 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Michael Manon, chief branding officer of Hoopla Digital. “The six formats we offer are television, movies, music, ebooks, audio books and comic books. So, those six formats are available from your library with no waiting.”
CCPL card holders can download the app for Android and Apple devices. They can also access content through Hoopla’s website.
“You have immediate access to all those titles right away,” Manon said. “One thing that is different than a lot of the other consumer services is that we’ve built Hoopla to be able to download content. You can download a movie, and then hop on an airplane and fly across the country and be watching a movie from your local library at 30,000 feet.”
Library card holders simply enter their card number to access content.
“You’ll be asked if you’re a first time user and then all you really need to do is have a library card from a participating library,” Manon said. “You plug in your library card number one time and you’re ready to go.”
Hoopla Digital likes to work in conjunction with the library rather than competing against it. They hope offering digital content helps increase the number of people coming in for a library card.
“We are seeing a lot of libraries telling us that after being live for three months with Hoopla, they are surprised at the new, younger age of people that is coming in to the library,” Manon said.
For more information, visit carmel.lib.in.us.
