After careful consideration, Ontario Public Library joins other libraries and library systems,
including the Webster Public Library and Sodus Community Library, in discontinuing the hoopla
streaming service.
Why is Ontario Public Library discontinuing hoopla?
Although it is free for patrons to use, hoopla’s cost-per-circulation pricing model means the
Ontario Public Library gets charged a fee for every item that is checked out.
The Ontario Public Library believes this pricing model and cost of hoopla makes it unsustainable
and that our resources are better used for other, more popular, digital content such as
OverDrive/Libby (eBooks, eAudiobooks, comics, magazines) and Kanopy (streaming movies and
television). These services allow our Library to more easily control spending while still
providing patrons with the digital materials they need and want.
Some numbers…
Ontario Public Library routinely evaluates our collections and services to make sure we are
providing our patrons the best of both in the most cost-efficient manner possible. We have
found that:
Only 1% of our eligible cardholders use hoopla per month; Yearly hoopla costs are equal to our Overdrive/ Libby costs and account for only 7% of our digital check out in 2025, while Overdrive contributes the other 93%.
I’m a hoopla user – what do I need to do?
If you need a list of the titles you’ve checked out through hoopla, you will need to either write
down the titles or take a screenshot of the items in your hoopla history. Because of New York
patron privacy laws, Ontario Public Library does not have access to this information.
Find your checkout history by going to the hoopla app; select “My hoopla”; select “History”;
write down or take a screenshot of the information.
Where can I find eBooks and eAudiobooks?
OWWL Overdrive – Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, comics, and magazines to read on your phone
or tablet using the Libby app by OverDrive or on your e-reader by browsing on your computer.
It’s free and easy to get started for new users and a streamlined experience for current
OverDrive app users.
Click here for instruction on how to get started with OWWL Overdrive:
https://owwl.org/owwl2go-faqs/
What if OWWL Overdrive doesn’t have what I want?
Use Notify Me to tell us about eBooks, eAudiobooks, and comics not in OWWL Overdrive. If the
item is purchased, the system will place you on hold.
But holds lists can be so long on Libby!
By discontinuing hoopla, the Ontario Public Library will be able to purchase additional titles on
Libby to reduce wait time. Because we are part of the OWWL Library System consortium,
Ontario Library patrons may also borrow titles owned by other libraries/library systems in the
consortium, further helping to meet demand.
Additionally, as a New York State resident, you can also add NY Public Library card to your
Libby/Overdrive account to decrease your hold times.
Click here to learn more about signing up for a NY State Library card:
https://www.nypl.org/help/library-card
Where can I stream movies and television?
Kanopy – Kanopy is a video-streaming platform dedicated to thoughtful and thought-provoking
films. Use your OWWL library card to watch quality, thoughtful entertainment. Find movies,
documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films, and children’s stories with
Kanopy.
How can I watch Kanopy?
To use Kanopy, you’ll need to enter your library card information and create a Kanopy account.
We recommend doing this in a web browser, but you can also set up your account in the
Kanopy app for iOs and Android.
How to create an account: To get started, visit https://www.kanopy.com/en/owwl/signup/auth/publiclibrary and
enter your library card number and pin. (If you want to check/reset your pin call us at
315-524-8381)
- Create an account using your preferred email
- Begin streaming!