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Franklin County Library seeks funding for HOOPLA, more hotspots and a part-time Mann Room position
Summary
Director Rebecca Ventola told trustees the library is pursuing funding for the HOOPLA streaming service, planning to add hotspots to meet demand and advocating for an additional part-time Mann Room position in the proposed FY 2026–2027 county budget, which remains unfinalized.
Director Rebecca Ventola told the Franklin County Library Board that the library is pursuing additional funding to expand digital and in-person resources.
Ventola said the library would like to subscribe to HOOPLA, a streaming service that would let patrons check out ebooks, eaudiobooks, music and movies, but that the subscription cost has not been covered in the current budget. She said Southside Area Library Directors (SALAD) showed interest in forming a consortium of member libraries to share the expense "to allow patrons to checkout ebooks, eaudiobooks, music and movies." Ventola said she "continues to look for resources to cover the expense" for HOOPLA.
The director also reported that library hotspots are fully checked out and reserves have increased. "All are currently checked out and there are an increasing number of reserves," the minutes state; Ventola said the library is planning to acquire more hotspots to address growing demand.
On staffing, Ventola said Franklin County’s proposed FY 2026–2027 budget has been released but not finalized and that she is advocating for an additional part-time position for the Mann Room. The minutes do not include a vote on funding or a staffing motion; the request is recorded as a budget advocacy item.
The board approved the February minutes and the March financial reports during the meeting; no roll-call vote or mover/second for the budget advocacy request is recorded in the minutes. The next board meeting is scheduled for May 12.
