Sacramento Public Library is discontinuing Hoopla on May 4, 2025.
We encourage you to make the switch to the Libby app, which is another great way to find your favorite digital books, audiobooks, magazines, and more.
We regularly review our services to ensure we offer the best value and experience for our community. After evaluating digital borrowing growth, content, and costs, we are ending Hoopla service.
Like many other libraries across the country, we found that Hoopla’s pay-per-use model is not sustainable. The content overlaps with other platforms, and its usage is limited. Plus, digital borrowing has been growing rapidly. Last year, we had 4.4 million digital checkouts—more than physical books! By ending this service, we can expand access to more digital materials and improve wait times on popular titles on other apps like Libby.
Hoopla FAQs
Why are we ending Hoopla service?
Sacramento Public Library, like many other library systems across the country, is discontinuing Hoopla as it is no longer sustainable because of:
- High costs: Hoopla’s pay-per-use model is more expensive. The cost per borrow is three times higher than Libby. (Generally, Hoopla costs $2.11 per checkout while Libby costs $0.70 per checkout.)
- Limited usage: Hoopla makes up less than 10% of digital checkouts.
- Overlapping content: Many Hoopla titles are also on Libby at a lower cost.
When is Hoopla ending?
Hoopla will no longer be available for Sacramento Public Library cardholders after May 4, 2025. After that:
- You will still be able to log in to your Hoopla account. However, you won’t be able to check out new digital materials after May 4.
- You will still have access to any materials checked out on or before May 4 for the duration of the item’s normal lending period. Once the due date arrives and the item has been automatically returned, you will no longer have access to it.
What should I do if I’m a Hoopla user?
If you want to see your favorited items in Hoopla, you will still be able to log in to view them. Otherwise, you can screenshot your checkout history in the app. View your checkout history by going to “My Hoopla” and selecting “History.” Some Hoopla checkouts may also appear in your
library account online.
Other Ways to Borrow
Where can I find digital books, audiobooks, and graphic novels and comics?
The
Libby app has one of the largest collections of digital media you can borrow with your library card. You’ll find free digital books, audiobooks, magazines, video tutorials, and more.
- Borrow up to 60 titles at once. (Digital items don’t impact your physical item checkout limit!)
- Put up to 15 items on hold at a time.
- Some items are available for immediate download.
- If there is a waitlist, you can place a hold.
- Access 3,500+ magazine titles (they don't count against your checkout limit).
- Libby Extras offers: Kanopy free TV and movie streaming, Qello streaming concerts, Craftsy instructional videos in English and Spanish, and ArtistWorks music lessons.
If you’ve never used Libby before, you will need to create a new account with your library card.
To get started, watch this video tutorial.
Where can I stream movies?
Use the
Kanopy app to stream over 30,000 movies, including critically acclaimed films, documentaries, and international films for free.
Where can I stream music?
Check out
Qello for full-length music performances, concert films, and music documentaries.
Need help?
Call customer service at 916-264-2920 or use the chat feature on our website.