EMedia services offer relief from stresses of social distancing

By Kelly Kandra Hughes

Even though the Norfolk Library is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, your Norfolk Library card can still give you access to thousands of eBooks, movies, television shows, and more. This access is thanks to the library’s recent addition of two new media services, Hoopla and Kanopy, into the library’s already extensive catalog. 

“We had requests from several patrons over the last few months to offer Hoopla and Kanopy,” says Ann Havemeyer, PhD, director of the Norfolk Library. “When we decided to acquire them, we had no idea there would come a time when eMedia would be the only content accessible from the library. From that perspective, we’re grateful these services are keeping Norfolk residents connected and entertained during this time of social distancing and isolation.”

Norfolk resident Shelley Harms agrees. “I just got started with Hoopla. It’s a lifesaver when we can’t go physically to the library.” Hoopla is a digital media service that allows users to browse upwards of 700,000 titles in six different formats—audiobooks, eBooks, comics/graphic novels, music albums, movies, and TV shows. With a valid Norfolk Library card, you can instantly borrow the item of your choice and enjoy it on your computer, tablet, smartphone, and TV. Each Norfolk Library card is eligible to checkout 10 items per month using Hoopla. 

Originally the library had planned to limit Hoopla checkouts to five items per month. However, with the library closing, Havemeyer and the library’s Board of Directors agreed to increase eMedia access during this time. There are no holds or waiting for Hoopla items, meaning items are automatically available if you haven’t gone over your 10-item limit. The loan period for Hoopla eBooks and audiobooks is 21 days, music is seven days, and movies and television shows are 72 hours. 

Tina Olsen has been a long-time user of Hoopla. Olsen, a special education teacher at Canton Middle School, used her Canton Library card to access their Hoopla subscription before the service was offered in Norfolk. “I use it all the time.” she says. In the past, Olsen had used Hoopla to listen to audiobooks while driving to and from work, and now she’s listening to them on her daily walks. She typically listens to teen novels “to keep on top of books that I put on my classroom shelves.”

Kanopy offers a more nuanced selection of media, including documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films  and educational videos. With Kanopy, Norfolk Library patrons are eligible to check out 10 items per month with a loan period of 72 hours per item. Kanopy Kids, which includes child-friendly content, offers unlimited access to Norfolk Library patrons during a 30-day period. 

Another feature of Kanopy is their access to the Great Courses, college-level audio and video courses covering a variety of topics from Art History to Zoology. Norfolk Library patrons are eligible to check out Great Courses for a loan period of 30 days. Local watercolor artist Leslie Watkins is already a big fan. “I love Kanopy! Thank you, Ann, for making it available to use. One of my favorite things is the Great Courses. I listen to them while working in my studio.”

Both Hoopla and Kanopy are offered free to Norfolk Library patrons, which many people appreciate. Thanks to the library’s previous eMedia offerings, David Beers, a professional forester who lives in Norfolk, says he hasn’t paid for an audiobook in five years. “Big savings” he says. “I just started using Hoopla. They seem to have a larger selection of audiobooks.” Beers is currently listening to three audiobooks through Hoopla. 

The cost of Hoopla and Kanopy are included in the library’s budget, similar to how the library allocates a certain amount of money every year to purchase books. “We encourage our patrons to use these services,” says Havemeyer. “However, we have had some instances where patrons accidentally check out a movie without meaning to. Keep in mind that not only does the library incur the cost whether you watch the movie or not, but it also counts toward your 10-item limit. So please be mindful when making your selections.”