Library Technology Trends: Streaming Services

       One of the latest technology trends in libraries is streaming services.  Hoopla is a streaming service that partners with libraries to offer movies, television, audio books, and music for free to library patrons (hoopla, 2014). Hoopla is offered only through libraries. A patron cannot sign-up unless there library offers the program.  Through the partnership, library patrons have access to movies and TV series for three days, music for seven days, and audio books for 21 days (hoopla, 2014). The technical requirements are i-pad, i-phone, browser, or android device.  A patron must be connected to the internet because it is a streaming service.  According to the help section of hoopla’s website, a patron must also download the app to access the service also.  

         The emerging technology of downloading and streaming service is not new in technology.  Companies such as Netflix and Amazon have thriving streaming services.  This is the first I have heard for libraries.  I think it is great service because it is offering patrons a new service that can be accessed 24/7 as long as a patron has a valid library card.  It also possible to allow a patron to access material that the library may not have in a format that the patron can use.  For example, a patron may be looking for the film To Kill a Mockingbird.  You know your local library has a copy, but they have a VHS copy.  Well, I know I no longer own a VHS, so that material is not valid for my use.  I would have to find the film somewhere else.  With a service like hoopla, a patron can at least have the option of streaming the movie or even coming into the library and watching the film, streaming it on a library computer.

         Hoopla is meeting a need for library patrons that may not traditional want to visit their local library and browse the shelf.  It also meets the need for those who also may not be able to visit the library during the library buildings open hours.  According to the Pew Research Internet Project, libraries have to add more technology in different formats to meet the needs of patrons (Zickuhr, Purcell., & Rainie, 2014).  As I looked into it, none of the libraries in my area offer hoopla yet, but I think as the popularity grows and more patrons learn about the service, it will be something that will become more available. Technology is evolving and becoming more mobile, so a service like Hoopla will become increasing popular.  

hoopla. (2014). hoopla. hoopla. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from
https://www.hoopladigital.com/home;jsessionid=427410C95B072290717B09FAD9588815

hoopla. (2014). hoopla. hoopla Help. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from
      https://www.hoopladigital.com/support 

Zickuhr, K., Purcell, K., & Rainie, L. (2014, March 13). Library Engagement
     Typology. Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS.
     Retrieved April 18, 2014, from
     http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/03/13/library-engagement-typology/