If you’ve been living in the Libby world, you know the pain: you want to listen to a popular audiobook, but there are 47 people ahead of you and a 12-week wait. By the time it’s your turn, your kid has moved on to a completely different obsession.

Hoopla is different. It’s a digital streaming service that partners with public libraries. The "magic" of Hoopla is that it uses a "pay-per-use" model for the library. This means every copy is always available. If 5,000 people want to watch the same LEGO movie at 7:00 PM on a Friday, they all can.

The catch? Your library limits how many "borrows" you get per month (usually between 5 and 15). Once you hit your limit, you’re cut off until the first of the next month. It teaches kids a little something about digital scarcity, which isn't the worst lesson in an era of infinite scrolls.

We talk a lot about "digital wellness" and "intentionality." Usually, that means "how do I get my kid off Roblox without a meltdown?"

Hoopla fits into the wellness category because it’s a closed ecosystem. There are no algorithms trying to suck your kid into a "Skibidi Toilet" rabbit hole. There are no ads. There are no "suggested videos" featuring some influencer screaming at a camera in an "Ohio" basement. It’s just books, movies, and music.

It’s the "slow tech" version of a streaming service. It requires a library card, a login, and a deliberate choice of what to borrow.

Ask our chatbot about setting up a library card for your kid

Hoopla’s library is massive, but let’s be real: not all of it is high-quality. Some of the movies look like they were animated on a toaster in 2004. Here is how to navigate the good stuff.

This is where Hoopla absolutely destroys the competition. If you have a reluctant reader who thinks books are "mid," get them into graphic novels. Hoopla has a "Action View" feature that zooms in on panels, making it actually readable on a phone or tablet.

Since there’s no waiting, Hoopla is the ultimate "we’re leaving for a road trip in 5 minutes and I forgot to download something" savior.

I’m going to be honest: Hoopla’s movie selection is... eclectic. You’ll find some Disney gems, but you’ll also find weird knock-off movies that look like they were made to trick grandmas into buying them.

You wouldn’t hand your kid an unlocked phone with HBO Max without checking the settings, and you shouldn't do it with Hoopla either. While it's a library, it still carries R-rated movies and "explicit" albums.

In the settings (the little gear icon), there is a "Kids Mode" toggle.

Community Data Note: About 65% of parents in the Screenwise community use Hoopla primarily for audiobooks and comics, while only 20% use it as a primary video streaming service. This is because YouTube Kids and Netflix have much better interfaces for video.

Check out our guide on the best parental controls for library apps

Hoopla is generally "safe" in the sense that there is no social interaction. Your kid isn't going to get a DM from a stranger. There are no "friend requests."

However, you should know:

If you’re introducing Hoopla to your family, don't just call it "another app." Use it as a way to talk about Community Resources.

"Hey, our taxes pay for the library, so we get these movies and books for 'free' because we’re part of this community. But the library has to pay every time we click 'borrow,' so let's make sure we only pick things we’re actually going to read or watch."

This builds a sense of digital citizenship and responsibility. It’s not just an infinite vending machine; it’s a shared resource.

Learn more about teaching kids digital citizenship

Hoopla is a must-have for any intentional parent's digital toolkit. It’s the perfect antidote to the "I’m bored" whine, especially for long car rides or rainy afternoons.

Next Steps:

If you want to see how your family's media diet compares to other intentional families in your area, take the Screenwise survey. It’ll help you see if you’re leaning too hard on "brain rot" or if you're hitting that sweet spot of digital wellness.