Stream Movies, TV, Music, and Audiobooks Free with Hoopla!

By Jamie W. Mon, July 28, 2014

*** Update - 11/1/2017 - Our Hoopla policies have changed. So that we can bring you more content on more platforms, we have changed the number of checkouts per person to 4 titles a month (any combination of movies, TV, audiobooks, ebooks, or graphic novels). 


Regular readers of this blog will doubtless be aware that the Free Library has been testing the waters with streaming media these past few months. Well, today we're finally ready to jump in and announce our newest digital media service, Hoopla!

Hoopla is a digital platform that offers streaming movies, TV, music, and audiobooks for your PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone. Think of it like a Netflix for libraries.  You'll find a wide selection of current, popular titles to enjoy for free when you login with your Free Library card and PIN.  And because you stream, rather than download, content from Hoopla, there are no waiting lists, no holds, and of course, no late fees!  

You'll can access Hoopla over at the Streaming Video section of our Digital Media page

Here are some Hoopla FAQs and policies to help you get started:

  • Every Free Library card holder can checkout 4 Hoopla items per month (any combination of movies, TV, music, etc.).
  • The first time you visit Hoopla, click 'Sign Up' in the top right of the screen; agree to the terms of service, select 'Free Library of Philadelphia' as your library, and register with your library card number, PIN, and email address. 
  • If you or your child logs in to Hoopla using children’s Free Library card, you will only be able to checkout movies rated G or PG, TV shows rated TVY, TV7, TVG, TVPG, and TVY7FV, and music without an explicit lyrics warning.
  • If you or your child has a 'Video Restricted' card (parents use these cards to restrict their children from borrowing DVDs in our libraries), you will not be able to login to Hoopla. To change this designation, parents should speak with a librarian at their neighborhood library location. 
  • Hoopla is compatible with Mac and PC. There are mobile apps available for both Apple and Android devices in the iTunes and Google Play stores.
  • The first time you use Hoopla you may be instructed to install the Widevine plugin. Widevine is a plugin designed by Google. It allows Hoopla to play videos in your browser.  Widevine is supported by most modern browsers. However, currently Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. If you use IE11, you can download the Google Chrome browser free and use that to watch Hoopla videos. Visitors using the public PCs in our Neighborhood Libraries to access Hoopla should use the Chrome browser.
  • If you run into trouble, you can access Hoopla help 24/7.  Of course, you can also always contact us with your questions and concerns as well. 

Please give Hoopla a try and let us know what you think of this new service in comments section below.  

Give Hoopla a try!
Give Hoopla a try!
Hoopla works on all your devices!
Hoopla works on all your devices!

Comments

Fantastic!
Anthony Lyle - Philadelphia Mon, July 28, 2014
Terrific news. I've already downloaded the app and borrowed an audiobook on my Nook HD. Love that I can download it for offline listening. Thank you adding yet another wonderful service!
Jody Hamilton - NH Mon, July 28, 2014
I'm unable to use this on my PC, which uses Chrome. "Not all platforms are supported on all products and the platform currently used by your provider does not support ChromeOS. Please consider this my request that the Free Library of Philadelphia enable support for this platform.
Carolyn R - Germantown (Philadelphia), PA Tue, July 29, 2014
Hello Carolyn - I see that you've also submitted a question to our contact us and I will respond to you there. For other users benefit though, I have checked with Hoopla and at this time they do not support ChromeOS though they in development with a solution (to clarify though, this only applies to the Chrome Operating System, people with the Chrome browser installed on a machine running the Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems should not have a problem).
Jamie W - Philadelphia Tue, July 29, 2014
Just to clarify on the last point...PC with the Windows Operating system that use the Chrome browser are supported (however, you will still need to install the Widevine plugin mentioned above). However, Chromebooks (dedicated laptops that run on the Chrome OS) are not supported at this time.
Jamie W - Philadelphia Tue, July 29, 2014
Thanks for responding. I'm not trying to use this on Chromebooks -- don't even know what that is! As I wrote in my initial question: I am trying to use Hoopla on my laptop, on which I have Windows 7 OS and use the Chrome browser. I actually tried again, and was successful after I found + downloaded/installed the "Alternate Widevine Plugin Download Link" at http://www.widevine.com/download/videooptimizer/index.html Thanks! Carolyn
Carolyn R - Germantown (Philadelphia), PA Tue, July 29, 2014
Will Android mobile be supported in the future?
Don Sherman - Philadelphia Thu, July 31, 2014
Hi Don - while mobile web browsers are not supported, you can use Hoopla on your mobile device now with their app for Android. Find it in the Google Play store - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hoopladigital.android
Jamie W - Philadelphia Thu, July 31, 2014
What great news! I love my library!
Meg - philadelphia Tue, August 05, 2014
Hoopla is a fantastic addition to the library's resources and hopefully it will remain permanently. The music section is extremely extensive. This is awesome!!! So far it works perfectly on the Mac.
Cordelia - Philadelphia Tue, August 05, 2014
Hoopla would be awesome if it worked on my iPhone. The app gives me a "bad url" message that I cant bypass. So, I'm still using overdrive, but Hoopla has a larger selection...I'm a little bummed out
Eva - Olney Tue, September 02, 2014
Hi Eva - Hoopla should definitely work on an iPhone. Why not send us an email at the Contact Us link at the top of this page. Include your library card number, the model iPhone you're using and the version of iOS you have. We should be able to help you get this going!
Jamie W - Philadelphia Wed, September 03, 2014
I would really like to stream video and music to my television. However, I can only do this on my ROKU. Please let me know if this will be possible. Thank you.
Winifred Davis - Philadelphia,PA Sat, September 06, 2014
Hello Ms Davis - currently you can only stream movies and films from our collection on IndieFlix to your Roku. Hoopla does not yet have a Roku channel. According to their FAQ page, they are working on developing a channel, but we don't have a launch date yet. Keep an eye on our blog for updates. If you would like starting watching films from IndieFlix on your Roku, start by visiting our Digital Media page (http://search.freelibrary.org/digitalmedia.cfm) and setting up an IndieFlix account. Then, add the IndieFlix Roku channel to your device get started.
Jamie W - Philadelphia Mon, September 08, 2014
The true digital age has arrived and I am absolutely astounded! Love, Love, Love, Hoopla. Thank you so very, very much for introducing this to library patrons! Definitely a KEEPER!!
Brenda B - Reading Tue, September 23, 2014
I installed hoopla on my iPhone and borrowed an audio (library) book. (The librarian helped with this since she knew what she was doing more than I did.) But only one chapter played and that is the end of anything from Hoopla! I am missing the next 8 hours on my book and nothing will make hoopla play even the first chapter, let alone the next 8 hours. My iPhone is fairly new and has much available space. What could the problem be?
Roxanne Boyle - Hyattsville MD Sun, November 09, 2014
Hello Roxanne - sorry to hear you're having trouble. The amount of space on your iPhone should not be an issue since Hoopla is a streaming service and nothing is downloaded to your phone. With Hoopla your audiobook comes directly from the web (this is why you need a web connection to use it). It is a difficult to help you over the blog though. If you're still having trouble, please send an email to us using the 'Contact Us' link at the top of the page. Include the name of the audiobook you're having trouble with and your library card number. Thank you.
Jamie W - Philadelphia, PA Mon, November 10, 2014
I had no problem loading to my iphone, but it's showing that its downloading the movie I chose? The above states that it will stream, but not in my case. How should I proceed?
Marianne McCulligan - Philadelphia Thu, January 22, 2015
To stream, do I need to be at the library with my device? If not, how close must I be to one of the branches or the main branch on Vine? PS Your contact me tab does not work
pete - philadelphia Thu, January 22, 2015
Hi Pete - While you do need your library card number and PIN to access Hoopla, you do not need to be in one of our locations (or even near one) to use this service. Once you register with Hoopla (see the instructions above), you will be able to use it anywhere you access the internet. Also, I am sorry the Contact Us tab did not work for you. Here is the direct link: http://libwww.library.phila.gov/faq/eref.cfm
Jamie W - Philadelphia Thu, January 22, 2015
Hello Marianne - I am a little confused. You can choose to download a movie to your mobile device (good for airplane trips) but you don't have to. In the Hoopla iPhone app, the option to download is a small cloud icon you will see beside your borrowed items. Only tap that if you need to access your movie while not connected to the internet. Otherwise just tap 'play'. If this doesn't solve the issue, please send us an email so we can help you one-on-one: http://libwww.library.phila.gov/faq/eref.cfm
Jamie W - Philadelphia Thu, January 22, 2015
Can you watch one of the movies from Hoopla while on an airplane? Can you read or listen to a book on a plane?
Diane - Chicago Sun, February 15, 2015
Hello Diane - Whether or not you can use Hoopla without an Internet connection depends on your device. According to Hoopla's Help pages: "to browse hoopla content and to stream content over Wi-Fi, 3G and/or 4G you must be connected to the internet. However, on our mobile app you can complete a temporary download to play content without an internet connection." So, if you are using the mobile app to checkout and temporarily download a title before your flight, you should be good. You can also get help from Hoopla directly at info@hoopladigital.com. Thanks!
Jamie W - Philadelphia Tue, February 17, 2015
great article.thanks for share .it is very useful for me.i can learn some useful knowledge here.
http://www.howmakeagirllikeyou.com - http://www.howmakeagirllikeyou.com Tue, May 05, 2015
Hi! I don't see Hoopla on your Digital Media page. Are you still offering the service? Thanks!
SarahCampagna - St Pete Tue, July 07, 2015
I like to stream movies and music and plus it's free !
Elaine HayesI - Philadelphia Wed, July 29, 2015
I like to stream movies and music and plus it's free !
Elaine HayesI - Philadelphia Wed, July 29, 2015
I like to stream movies and music and plus it's free !
Elaine HayesI - Philadelphia Wed, July 29, 2015
Run into a problem with my LG smart screen conntected by video cable to my iphone 5. Was doing a great job giving me Hoopla movies on big screen. Was away too much in Sept. to use it and now the 'Welcome to Hoopla' message shows but stops as soon as I go to play on my phone screen. Both the phone and the tv screen go black. The movie shows on my phone and nothing works as soon as the tv is added. What do I troulbeshoot?
Bertha Ann Fisher - Calgary Tue, October 06, 2015
Hello Bertha - Sorry to hear you're having trouble with Hoopla. This is a bit more than we can troubleshoot over the blog though. Please contact Hoopla's tech support directly at info@hoopladigital.com
Jamie W - Philadelphia Wed, October 07, 2015
Trying to access hoopladigital.com via the Smart DVD. I got all the way to the LOGIN, but it only allows the numeric key for Email and password. Any suggestion how to enter alpha?
Bong - Coconut Creek Sun, January 03, 2016
Hello Bong - Smart DVD is not listed on Hoopla's Help pages as a compatible device. However, if your device has a web browser, it may work. As for changing the keys for your device, unfortunately, I can only suggest that you reference the manufacture's help material or you may also contact Hoopla directly for assistance at info@hoopladigital.com.
Jamie W - Philadelphia Mon, January 04, 2016
Ita saddening that the limit has been reduced to 4 titles per month. I enjoyed being able to read more than 4 books in a month. Will the limit ever be increased?
Christine D - South philly Fri, November 03, 2017
We love Hoopla and were disappointed to see the checkouts dropped from 10 to 4. I'm sure it's expensive but it's a fantastic service.
Adam Rice - Mt Airy Tue, November 21, 2017
Please raise the Hoopla check out limit back up please. This is the best online library service around, and I joined this library just to use it. Please and thanks!!!!!
Taylor C Carr - Raleigh, NC Tue, December 19, 2017
I use Hoopla heavily for reading on my daily commute, with 3 hours each day, I read through many books, I am so upset that the number of rentals have dropped from 10 to 4! Now I cannot watch movies and read, I have to choose and limit my entertainment.
Rachel Zimmaro - Philadelphia Tue, January 09, 2018
I am also disappointed in the reduction in number of monthly checkouts. I made it through 4 books in the first two weeks, leaving me counting down the days until February starts.
Wendy Angus - Philadelphia Sun, January 28, 2018
Why can I only check out four items? Very disappointing. Please increase.
Maria - Philadelphia Sun, June 24, 2018
Thanks to the free library for showing me about hoopla
Monica Shank - Philadelphia Tue, July 24, 2018
After calling the public library several times and,talking to several librarians by phone and in person (who were all very patient and understanding) , I am still unable to connect my Roku to Hoopla. I followed instructions, created a Hoopla account with a librarian's help, accessed the website, but still no luck in being able to connect and watch videos . The Roku code shown on TV Hoopla screen did not work I also spoke to some technicians via a number provided for tech support computer screen who tried to extort more than 100$ from me, saying that I could not get Hoopla until I renewed my account for $100. I am still not able to watch any movies on Hoopla. Very frustrating. Has anyone else had this problem? Can anyone offer a solution?
Charna Eisner - Philadelphia Fri, September 14, 2018
Hello Charna - I am sorry to hear you're having trouble with Hoopla. I have just sent you an email with a few suggestions. Hopefully this will get you going with Roku and Hoopla. Thank you - Jamie, Free Library of Philadelphia
Jamie W - Philadelphia Mon, September 17, 2018

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