Hoopla: Free Movies, Audiobooks, Comics and Music With Your Library Card
Hoopla lets you borrow ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, TV shows, and music from your public library, often instantly. Here is how it works and how to stretch your monthly borrows.
“Hoopla is the student who always raises a hand first. Movie? Here. Audiobook? Here. Comic book? Here, and it brought snacks. The only catch is that your library gives it a hall pass with a limited number of trips.”
What is Hoopla?
Hoopla is a digital lending service that public libraries pay for so their cardholders can borrow for free. It is a bit of a variety store: ebooks, audiobooks, comics and graphic novels, movies, TV episodes, and music albums, all in one app.
What makes Hoopla famous is that many titles are “instant” borrows. Instead of waiting in line for a copy, you tap Borrow and start right away. The tradeoff is that each library sets a monthly borrow limit, because the library pays a small fee every time someone checks something out. Some libraries have also added “Flex” titles, which work more like traditional library copies, one reader at a time, with a waitlist if they are all checked out.
You can use Hoopla in a web browser or in the app on iPhone, iPad, Android, and Fire tablets. Many libraries note that it also works on TV devices such as Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV.
Why I assign it to my students
- Little or no waiting. Instant titles are ready the moment you want them.
- One app, many formats. Read, listen, and watch without juggling separate subscriptions.
- No late fees. Titles return automatically when the loan ends.
- Great for road trips. Download items to your device before you leave Wi-Fi behind.
How to use Hoopla, step by step
- Get a library card from a library that offers Hoopla. Your library’s website usually lists it under digital resources or eLibrary.
- Create a Hoopla account at hoopladigital.com or in the app with your email and a password.
- Choose your library and enter your card number and PIN.
- Browse by format. Look at movies, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, TV, or music.
- Tap Borrow. Instant items start right away. Flex items may ask you to join a waitlist.
- Enjoy and forget. When the loan period ends, the title returns itself.
Professor Ima’s quick tips
- Check your remaining borrows before you tap. Hoopla shows how many you have left for the month.
- Returning something early usually does not give you the borrow back, so choose wisely.
- Look for BingePasses. One borrow can unlock a whole collection for about a week, which is a smart way to stretch your limit if your library offers them.
- Use favorites to save titles for next month when your borrows reset.
- Kids watching? Turn on the kids mode setting so little ones see age-appropriate titles.
How to get a library card
Visit your local public library’s website first. Many offer free online eCards that work in digital apps right away, while others ask you to visit in person with ID and proof of address. Not every library subscribes to Hoopla, so check the list of digital services. In California, the San Francisco Public Library offers free cards to state residents, though you complete registration in person at a branch with photo ID. If your home library does not carry Hoopla, ask a librarian about neighboring libraries that may accept you.
Who it’s great for
- College students: A free movie night and comics without another streaming bill.
- Young families: Kids’ movies, picture books, and read-alongs for long car rides.
- Working adults: An audiobook for the commute that is ready the moment you want it.
- Retirees: Classic films, music albums, and audiobooks without learning five different apps.
The money angle
Paying separately for an audiobook service, a movie streaming service, and a music subscription adds up fast every month. Hoopla will not replace all of them for everyone, but a few free borrows each month can easily cover the audiobook or movie you would otherwise buy or rent.
Things to watch for
- Borrow limits, loan lengths, and even which formats you can see are set by your library, and some libraries have lowered their monthly limits as costs rise.
- Unused borrows typically do not roll over to the next month.
- Selection differs from library to library.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hoopla really free?
Yes, for you. Your library pays for each borrow, which is why there is a monthly limit.
Hoopla or Libby?
Use both. Libby often has the newest bestsellers but with waitlists, while Hoopla is great for instant borrows. For films, also check Kanopy.
Can I download titles?
In the mobile app, yes, for offline listening, reading, or watching during the loan period.
Professor Ima B. Cheap
Hoopla features, borrow limits, and collections change often and are set by each library. Cheap101 is not affiliated with Hoopla. More handouts: Cheap101 Class Handouts · Free samples, freebies and rebates