Join us for a special retrospective as we celebrate Hoopla’s biggest achievements of 2025. From expanding BingePass and SeasonPass offerings for libraries to the creation of Instant bundles and forging new partnerships with organizations like the Urban Library Council, this year marked a bold step forward. We also advanced discoverability of the Hoopla collection and championed pricing advocacy—efforts that led to more Bonus Borrows and greater value for libraries and their communities. The year was all about empowering libraries and redefining digital engagement.

What are the hosts and guest reading, watching, or listening to?

Jeff is watching Resident Alien, a science fiction comedy-drama series based on the comic book series: Resident Alien

Ann is reading the Christmas Cookie Cookbook.

Related links:

BingePass/SeasonPass
Bonus Borrow
Discoverability
The hub
Mural

Hear directly from someone on the front lines of library advocacy. Ellen Paul, Executive Director of the Connecticut Library Consortium, joins us to share how libraries are protecting equitable access to eBooks and championing patron rights.

What are the hosts and guest reading, watching, or listening to?

Ellen enjoyed  Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone — a witty, modern whodunit set in a remote mountain chalet, full of twists and dark humor.

Jeff read  Happy People Don’t Live Here  by Amber Sparks — a collection of gothic, darkly whimsical stories that explore human nature with sharp, imaginative prose.

Ann enjoyed Alchemised by Senlinyu  — a genre-bending novel blending dystopian elements with romance and intrigue, featuring rich world-building and unexpected turns.

Related links:

Episode Summary
Ellen Paul Bio
Press Release About Passage of E-Book Legislation
Press Release About Library Marketing Makeover

Libraries are grappling with shrinking catalogs, rising license costs, and unsustainable holds. Ann Ford and Jeff Jankowski share how libraries can regain control through smarter budgeting, streamlined operations, and stronger patron engagement.

What are the hosts reading, watching, or listening to?

Ann is listening to the audiobook Wayward by Emilia Hart.

Jeff is enjoying the Dexter series which is available through Midwest Tape.
Also, check out music from the series on Hoopla:

Music from Season 2-3
Music from Season 4
Music from Season 8

Related links:

Episode Summary

Continuing the Conversation

LinkedIn Group

In this episode, we continue exploring how libraries can use data to drive impact. Our guest, Michael Holton, Vice President of Product Management at Hoopla, shares how tools like Enhanced Circulation Reporting and the Patron Growth Report help libraries make smarter decisions and better understand patron behavior. Tune in to discover how these innovations are shaping the future of library services and empowering leaders with actionable insights.

What are the hosts reading?

Michael (guest) is currently reading Turning the Flywheel by Jim Collins, Life’s Too Short by Darius Rucker, and Miracle and Wonder by Malcolm Gladwell. Jeff is reading Living with Borrowed Dust by James Hollis, while Ann is reading The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin.

Related links:

Continuing the Conversation

LinkedIn Group

In this episode, we explore why libraries need better KPIs to measure digital success and how traditional metrics like checkouts and door counts fall short. We discuss shifting focus toward community reach, engagement, and retention—while examining the impact of power users on usage data.

What are the hosts reading?

Jeff is currently immersed in the audiobook The Dutch House by Ann Patchett—a layered, emotional story of family and memory. Ann recommends The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, a powerful novel about resilience and unexpected community.

Related links:

Continuing the Conversation

LinkedIn Group

Ann and Jeff take a closer look at the utilization of the licenses being purchased by libraries—focusing on how utilization is measured, some of the factors that influence it, and the return on investment across different types of licenses. 

What are the hosts reading?

Jeff is diving into the intrigue of Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, while Ann is exploring the powerful insights of, You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy—two thought-provoking listens available now on Hoopla!

Related links:

Readers First

Continuing the Conversation

LinkedIn Group

In 2019, 76% of the audiobook licenses purchased by libraries were perpetual. By 2024, however, 64% of the licenses purchased were metered. A metered license is one that expires after a set period—typically 12 or 24 months—rather than being owned indefinitely. In this episode, Ann and Jeff discuss how this shift in licensing models affects cost per circulation, return on investment (ROI), and the overall composition of a library’s audiobook collection.

What are the hosts reading?

Jeff is reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point, which is available through Hoopla Flex. Ann is enjoying the mystery, At Loggerheads by Kristen Ness.

Related links:

Blog Article

Summit

ALA Conference

Ann and Jeff discuss the inspiration behind the Hoopla platform and its pay-per-use model. The discussion also touches on patron expectations, pricing, and how the service will continue to evolve.

The Straight Download is a raw and informative podcast for library professionals, and anyone interested in the digital publishing industry.