By Alyssa Krob
Hoopla IDEA Squad Member | Digital Resources Librarian, Beaufort County Library System
When Hoopla released its new custom carousels feature, I immediately saw how well it aligned with the work we were already doing at Beaufort County Library. Our team has been focused on creating engaging, community-driven recommendation themes each month, and we have been looking for ways to make these lists more visible and easier for patrons to explore. Custom carousels fit naturally into that goal and offered a new opportunity to highlight our locally curated content in a way that feels meaningful to our community.
Bringing Our Monthly Themes to Life on Hoopla
Every month at BCL, our marketing department highlights a themed recommendation list that invites both staff and patrons to participate. These themes have included romantasy, books to read in one sitting, and stories set in the Lowcountry. Staff and patrons are encouraged to submit their favorite titles, and their contributions help shape a reading experience that reflects the voices and interests of the entire community.
Once custom carousels became available, I saw a chance to feature these monthly themes in a more visible and dynamic way. Now we can combine staff and patron recommendations into a dedicated carousel that appears right on our Hoopla homepage or on the individual format pages. This makes it incredibly easy for patrons to browse and borrow the featured titles without searching for them manually.
For March, we spotlighted books set in the Lowcountry, a theme that celebrates the stories, history, and culture of our region in South Carolina. We’d love for you to explore the collection!
How Patrons Get Involved
We invite patrons to submit recommendations through our monthly newsletter, The Current. This simple call for participation has created a meaningful sense of engagement. Patrons enjoy seeing their suggestions included, and it strengthens our community connection through reading.
Promoting the Lists Beyond Hoopla
The Hoopla carousel is a major enhancement, but it is not the only place where these themed lists live. The full lists are also posted on our website.
To ensure even more visibility, I also create promotional materials for our branches so patrons visiting in person can learn about the theme and take part in the experience.
A Positive Response and Increased Checkouts
Since we began adding these themed collections to Hoopla, I have noticed an increase in engagement. Patrons appreciate having everything in one easy-to-browse place, and the enhanced visibility has led to increased checkouts for the featured items. When discovery becomes easier, patron interest grows.
Looking Ahead
We plan to continue using custom carousels for all our monthly themes, and I am excited to expand their use even further. With events such as Summer Reading and Winter Reading, along with future special programs, these carousels will play an important role in helping us highlight collections that feel local and meaningful to the people we serve.
For our library, custom carousels are more than a new digital tool. They help us celebrate our community’s voice and bring our local identity into the digital space where many patrons discover their next great read.
