hoopla

Hoopla* is a digital media service that allows you to borrow free videos, music and audiobooks from home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Thousands of movies, television shows, audiobooks and music albums are available to borrow and instantly stream on a tablet, smartphone or computer.

• What do I need to use hoopla?

  You will need a valid Palm Beach County Library card, an email address (to create an account), and either a computer or a mobile device with internet access.

• How does hoopla work?

  Similar to the way Netflix works, hoopla streams content in a browser (on a computer) or through the hoopla app installed on a mobile device. hoopla titles circulate for a set amount of time, and during the circulation period, you may watch or listen to the title as many times as you wish.

• What is available?

  Currently there are over 47,000 movies and TV shows, 63,000 audiobooks, 300,000 e-books, 15,000 comics, and 570,000 music titles to choose from. New content is added on a weekly basis.

• How do I create a hoopla account?

  On a computer:
  
  Visit the hoopla site at http://www.hoopladigital.com
  
  Click Sign Up, and select Palm Beach County Library as your home library.
  
  Enter your library card number, leave the PIN field blank, and click Continue.
  
  Enter a valid email address, create a password, and click Continue.
  
  On a mobile device:
  
  Visit your device’s app store, search for hoopla Digital, and install the free app.
  
  The first time the app is opened, it will guide you through creating a hoopla account. Select Palm Beach County Library as your home library and follow the prompts to complete setup.

• What devices and browsers are supported?

  All Apple devices running iOS 10.3 and above Apple TV-4th and 5th gen devices AirPlay-2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen devices Android 4.4.4 (Kit Kat) and above Casting is supported from iOS and Android devices to the 1st and 2nd generation Chromecasts. Support for Chromecast Audio and Chromecast Ultra are coming soon! Amazon devices running Fire OS 5.0.0 and newer are supported: 4th Generation (2014): Kindle Fire HD 6”, Fire HD 7", Fire HDX 8.9” 5th Generation (2015): Kindle Fire 6th Generation (2016): Kindle Fire HD 8” 7th Generation (2017): Kindle Fire 7”, Fire HD 8", Fire HD 10” Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 Microsoft Edge, recent versions of Google Chrome, and Firefox MacOS 10.7 (Lion) and above Recent versions for Macs of Safari, Chrome, and Firefox Most Chromebooks Fire TV 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen devices Roku devices running 7.6.3 and higher All Android TV set-top boxes (Alexa) Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, Dot, Spot, and Show

  Currently hoopla is not supported on the following:1st generation Amazon devices or on the Amazon Tap Apple CarPlay; Bluetooth playback available in most modern automobiles Android Auto; Bluetooth playback available in most modern automobiles. Casting from a browser Windows mobile devices Fire TV Cube Linux Smart TVs

• How do I borrow and play titles?

  You can borrow titles by downloading and signing into the mobile app or signing into the website and browsing all available content. Once you select a title you can click on the Borrow button on the title details page. Once a title is borrowed, it will be added to your My Titles list. Tap or click the Play icon on the cover of the title to begin playback.

• How long do I get to keep items?

  Borrowing periods vary according to type of material borrowed:
  
  Movies and TV episodes - 3 days (72 hours) from the time you borrow the title. Some publishers limit the borrow time to 2 days (48 hours).
  
  Most Music albums are available for 7 days from the time you borrow the title.
  
  Most Audiobooks, Comics, and eBooks are available for 21 days from the time you borrow the title.
  
  

• Are there waiting lists for popular titles?

  No. All hoopla titles are available all the time with no waiting.

• Do I need to be connected to the internet to access hoopla?

  Yes, you must be connected to the internet to access hoopla and to stream the content. Important note: if you are streaming on a smartphone or tablet and are NOT connected to Wi-Fi, you are accessing your cellular provider’s data plan and, therefore, paying to stream. If you are using the app on a mobile device, hoopla content can be downloaded to the app for offline viewing (see next question).

• Can I play hoopla content on my mobile device without an internet connection?

  In the hoopla mobile apps only, you can complete a temporary download to play content when an internet connection is unavailable.

• Can I play hoopla content on more than one device at a time?

  You can play hoopla content on several devices, but not at the same time. However, you can begin playing content on one device and pick it back up later on another device right from where you left off earlier.

• Can a title be returned before the lending period expires?

  If you have finished a title you have downloaded and want to free up space on your device, you can return the title before the lending period has expired by clicking the "Return" button on the title detail page. Please note that returning a title early does not give you additional loans for that month.