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Directors review BadgerLink cuts and Hoopla subscription as budget pressure point
Summary
Library staff reported that BadgerLink discontinued two databases and that Hoopla remains under review; the director said Hoopla costs about $25,000 annually and provides immediate access, while physical circulation cost and other services were compared.
Library leadership reported that two databases previously provided through BadgerLink (LearningExpress and AutoRepairSource) are no longer available through the state resource, and the board discussed whether to continue the Hoopla digital-content subscription amid budget pressures.
The director said BadgerLink is no longer supplying LearningExpress or AutoRepairSource; AutoRepairSource may be replaced but LearningExpress will not be. The director noted LearningExpress offered career test prep and other professional test resources that some patrons used.
On Hoopla, the director said the library currently budgets about $25,000 per year. The library’s calculated per-circulation cost for physical materials is $4.19, while Hoopla’s per-circulation cost on the most recent invoice was $2.48, which factors into the board’s cost/benefit analysis. Staff reported mixed responses from other Washington County libraries: some expect to drop Hoopla to cut budgets, Germantown discontinued Hoopla in 2024 and received six to eight complaints, and other libraries were undecided. Board members discussed whether West Bend would be the only library continuing Hoopla and what that would mean for cost and patron use.
No final decision to end or continue Hoopla was made; the director said the item would likely remain in next year’s budget while the board monitors county partners’ choices and funding availability.
