Welcome to the third installment of Hoopla Half-Dozen! Big things are happening in New Britain, so we’re connecting with Viktor Sjöberg, the director of the New Britain Public Library to hear some of the great things they are doing and how Hoopla is helping.
Click the arrow next to each question to reveal the answer.
1. What unique programs or services does your library offer to the community?
We have the most active creative space that I have seen in my 15 years working in public libraries: The Hive Makerspace. Many libraries have makerspaces, but this one stands out to me because it is so intergenerational; you’ll see teens at one table, a family with young children at another, and a couple of seniors right next to them. It is a beautiful thing.
New Britain has a strong and connected non-profit community, and the library is fortunate to be a part of it. This year, we are joining 14 other organizations and hosting a series of free community dinners. We are inviting community members to break bread with one another and share what they want for their community, their families, and themselves. Through learning about community aspirations, the organizations involved will continue our coalition-building to develop services or other concepts that will correspond to what we’ve learned from our community. This is a manifestation of the “library as movement” and platform for collective action.
2. What is your library’s biggest point of pride?
Nothing comes even close to the pride that I feel for our passionate, driven, and competent staff.
3. What major goal does your library want to achieve in 2025?
We are in the process of decentralizing the library. We are currently building our first library van: part modern-day bookmobile, part pop-up event vehicle that will reach parts of the city where our presence currently isn’t strong. We are also installing 10 little free libraries in areas of town where books aren’t readily available. We are so happy that Hoopla has agreed to partner with us on this project by offering completely free access to digital content through our little free libraries. In my mind, this level of support has the ability to transform the relationship between digital vendors and public libraries.
4. What have you learned as a Hoopla member library that can help other libraries maximize their experience?
In my experience, working with Hoopla team members has been wonderful; it has been refreshing to see how open they are to trying new things. Hoopla has been extremely responsive to our needs.
5. How do you balance the increasing popularity of digital services like Hoopla with the financial constraints imposed by tighter budgets?
It is definitely a delicate balance, as our user base has been growing. We are currently in a space where we are willing to make the investment and carefully assess and reflect upon the impact of that investment. To me, the Hoopla licensing model makes more sense than the other alternatives in the marketplace.
6. How has including Hoopla results in the catalog helped your patrons discover titles, or staff members with their readers’ advisory?
Having Hoopla MARC records available in our catalog is absolutely essential to the discovery process, where the desire to read or consume a specific title will lead directly to the patron becoming a Hoopla user.
About the New Britain Public Library
Founded in 1853, the New Britain Public Library serves the community’s information, educational, cultural, and recreational needs. Located in New Britain, Connecticut, the library has a rich history and a mission to provide resources, services, and experiences that build skills and enrich the lives of community members. The library offers a wide range of services, including accessibility, print and copy, digital resources, a makerspace, and meeting rooms. It hosts numerous programs and events for all ages, such as storytimes, tech assistance, homework centers, and creative clubs.
