Across the library landscape, conversations about digital collections and budgets have taken on a new level of urgency.  

Leaders are navigating escalating costs, shrinking catalogs, and evolving patron expectations, all while trying to maintain equitable access. Amid these pressures, one conclusion is becoming increasingly clear: Hoopla stands apart as the only truly sustainable option for public libraries today. Not because it is flawless, but because the alternatives are quietly creating long-term challenges that undermine both budgets and collections. 

The Hidden Costs of “Cheaper” Models 

For many libraries, cost is the starting point, and often the biggest point of concern.  

Traditional digital models require libraries to pay for potential access rather than actual use. Metered and one copy/one user licenses frequently go underutilized: nearly 70% never reach 50% circulation*, and more than 10% never circulate at all*. Combined with platform fees, license fees, and various add-ons, libraries are often charged regardless of whether titles ever reach patrons. 

Even more concerning is the pattern of initial low platform fees that later balloon into substantial increases.  

Some libraries have seen their fees double just to maintain access to the platforms on which they already rely. When the full picture is considered—unused licenses, constant repurchasing, expiring access—the supposedly cheaper models often cost significantly more over time without delivering proportional value. 

Shrinking Library Collections 

Beyond budget strain, the licensing structure of most digital platforms has a negative effect on catalog depth.  

Metered licenses expire far faster than modern library budgets can replace them, especially amid cost increases surpassing 200% over the last 4-5 years***. As a result, libraries lose backlist titles, midlist titles, and even portions of complete series, leaving patrons hanging. The focus shifts toward chasing highdemand new releases, while the broader collection quietly contracts. 

This undermines one of the foundational principles of librarianship: providing deep, diverse, and enduring collections. Sustainability, therefore, is not just financial: it’s about ensuring that collections grow rather than disappear. 

Hoopla breaks the “buy-expire-rebuy” cycle. Its model enables libraries to expand their catalogs each year, filling important gaps and consistently strengthening DEI and worldlanguage holdings, two areas that are increasingly essential to serving modern, multicultural communities. 

Innovation That Aligns With Library Needs 

Another factor shaping the digital landscape is where vendors choose to invest. Some major platforms appear to be pivoting toward school markets or other sectors that promise higher revenue, leaving fewer resources dedicated to the public library experience. 

Hoopla, on the other hand, continues to innovate alongside public libraries.  

Our focus is on helping libraries balance rising digital demand with realistic budgets. Innovations such as robust reporting, Hoopla BingePass and SeasonPass, Bonus Borrows, Holds Relief, and Hoopla’s new Instant Bundles offering are designed to align access with fiscal responsibility, not pushing libraries into unsustainable spending patterns. And for frontlist bestsellers, Hoopla Flex provides a targeted and manageable option without compromising broader collection health. 

A Model Built for Long-Term Stability 

At its core, the sustainability conversation is not about whether libraries can afford Hoopla. It’s about whether they can afford the long-term costs (both financial and cultural) of models that require continuous repurchasing, shrink collection depth, and deliver inconsistent value. 

Hoopla offers a chance to think differently about digital: using Hoopla Instant pay per use and Hoopla Flex one copy/one user licenses together allows you to say “yes” to your patrons today without compromising your budget tomorrow by aligning your budget with how patrons actually behave. Instant handles the unpredictable viral spikes so you don’t overbuy, while Flex handles the core titles you want in your catalog.  

Many libraries are paving the way on this uncharted path and seeing results. 

Innovations like BingePass, SeasonPass, and Bonus Borrows help libraries stretch their budgets while delivering the instant access patrons expect. Meanwhile, tools like Holds Relief, Instant Bundles, and transparent reporting give libraries predictable pricing and clear insight into how their collections are being used. 

As digital demand accelerates and budgets tighten, sustainability should be measured not in theoretical savings but in actual impact. Hoopla stands out as the only model positioned to support libraries in building stronger, more resilient, and more accessible digital collections for the future. And with the lowest cost per circ in the industry, Hoopla is engineered to be more cost-effective as your library grows more popular. 

Ready to continue the conversation?

Hoopla isn’t held by a tech giant or funded by private equity, trying to be everything to everyone. We are a family-owned, mission-driven company focused 100% on public libraries. Reach out to your account exec today to learn more about how Hoopla is the only sustainable digital media option! 

*Based on data reviewed by Midwest Tape/Hoopla across 22 public libraries from 2006 to 2025.
**Derived from data provided by a large library system, analyzed on October 8, 2024 and June 25, 2025, for year-over-year comparison.
***Based on average metered license pricing from the Big Five publishers (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, and Macmillan) spanning 2019 through 2025.