After careful consideration, Summit Free Public Library joins many other libraries and library systems in discontinuing the Hoopla Digital streaming service as of June 1, 2025.
Why is SFPL discontinuing Hoopla Digital?
We regularly review our services to ensure we offer the best value and experience for our community. After evaluating digital borrowing growth, content, and costs, we have decided to end Hoopla service.
Although it is free for patrons to use, Hoopla’s cost-per-circulation pricing model means the library gets charged a fee each time an item is checked out. Like many other libraries across the country, we found that this model is not sustainable. The content overlaps with other platforms, and usage is limited; only 1% of our eligible cardholders use Hoopla per month. In contrast, our patrons check out five times the number of items through Libby per month than through Hoopla.
We also found that some of Hoopla’s content did not align with the library’s collection development policy, which guides us in curating materials that best serve our community’s needs and interests.
By ending this service, we can expand access to more digital materials and improve wait times on popular titles on other apps like Libby and Kanopy.
When is Hoopla ending?
Hoopla will no longer be available for Summit Free Public Library cardholders after June 1, 2025. After that, you will still be able to log in to your Hoopla account. However, you won’t be able to check out new digital materials after June 1.
You will still have access to any materials checked out on or before June 1 for the duration of the item’s normal lending period. Once the due date arrives and the item has been automatically returned, you will no longer have access to it.
Where can I find digital books, audiobooks, magazines, graphic novels and comics?
The Libby app has one of the largest collections of digital media you can borrow with your library card. You’ll find free digital books, audiobooks, magazines, video tutorials, and more. Going forward, we will be adding more copies of popular titles to bring down wait times in Libby.
If you’ve never used Libby before, you will need to create a new account with your library card. For help creating your account, click here, or contact the information desk at 908-273-0350 option 3.
Where can I stream movies?
Use the Kanopy app to stream over 30,000 movies, including critically acclaimed films, documentaries, and international films for free.
How can I watch Kanopy?
You can stream Kanopy on any of your favorite devices! Kanopy is accessible via mobile and tablet apps for iPhone and Android. You can also access Kanopy on your Desktop, and SmartTV apps like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire Stick.
To get started, click here and select the “Add Library Card” button on the lower left. Enter your library card credentials and create an account using your preferred email to start streaming.