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Trustees weigh limiting Hoopla borrows as digital-content costs rise
Summary
Eagle Public Library staff told trustees that high Hoopla usage—about $2.20 per borrowed item on average and roughly $5,000 in monthly spend—has pushed the board to consider lowering the per-account monthly allotment to control costs.
Library Director Steve Baumgarner told the Eagle Public Library Board that digital-content use this summer has been heavy and that Hoopla is a major driver of variable monthly expenses.
"I think our monthly average item cost is just a little over $2," Baumgarner said, noting that Hoopla charges the library each time a patron borrows an item regardless of how much of the item is consumed. Trustees asked whether the current per-card limit (10 borrows per month) could be reduced. One trustee said lowering the allotment from 10 to 8 or another smaller number might be acceptable to patrons, while recognizing some users will be upset.
Trustees and staff discussed the program's history—Baumgarner said the library has used Hoopla for about 10–12 years—and options for negotiation with the vendor. Baumgarner reported staff have an upcoming appointment with a Hoopla representative to explore adjustments and pledged to report back to the board on potential changes and fiscal impact.
The discussion also raised the operational effect of Hoopla billing: because the library pays per borrow, the quantity of uses drives costs more than the price tiers of individual titles. Trustees asked staff to prioritize vendor discussions and bring recommendations to a future meeting.
