Alabaster library implements hoopla service

Published 3:29 pm Friday, November 16, 2018

By FRANCES SMITH / Community Columnist

Hoopla has arrived in Alabaster. Hoopla is a groundbreaking digital media service that allows card-holding patrons of the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, e-books, comics, and television shows to enjoy on their smart devices: computers, tablets, phones or televisions.

With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately or downloaded to smart phones or tablets to enjoy offline later.

There are hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more added daily. Hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips.

Just go to Cityofalabaster.com/library and click on the hoopla icon at the bottom of the home page to set up an account. Owners of smart devices can download the hoopla app to get started. There is even hoopla for kids by setting devices to kids mode for movies, music, easy books, read along eBooks, foreign language learning, fiction, behavioral learning, and Book Club Hub. Kids mode is for youngsters age 12 and younger. There is a limit of three downloads per month. Streaming is great, but if you want a book to hold while reading come by the library for hard copies and stay for some programs.

Youth Programs:

  • Every Friday Toddler Tales, 10:30 a.m.
  • Nov. 6 Lego League, 4-4:45 p.m.
  • Nov. 13 Wonder Kids’ Book Club, 6 p.m. Kids age 6 and older can take part in our new book club. The theme this month is “Music Magic” and will feature musical story teller Mr. Mac and making instruments. Club members who missed last month’s session will receive a book to keep. Please sign up for this program.
  • Nov. 14 Sensory Story Time, 3:30 p.m. Miss Rhoda presents an interactive and educational program that all children can enjoy, but is mainly designed for children with sensory integration challenges. It combines books, songs, movement and more.
  • Nov. 16 American Girls Club, 4 p.m. I scream, you scream American Girls scream for Ice Cream! Girls 7 and older can sign up to learn about and make ice cream with Charity Waldrep of Shelby County 4-H.
  • Nov. 20 Pete the Cat Club, 4 p.m. Thanksgiving reading, craft and fun for kids 5 years old and older. Sign up.
  • Nov. 21 Thanksgiving Break Story Time, 10:15 a.m. Miss Jennie presents a special holiday event.
  • Nov. 28 Sensory Story Time, 3:30 p.m. Miss Rhoda presents an interactive and educational program that all children can enjoy, but is mainly designed for children with sensory integration challenges. It combines books, songs, movement, and more.

Adult Programs:

  • Computer Classes at 10 a.m., Nov. 6 – Excel 2013 Part 1; Nov. 10 – Ancestry.com;

Nov. 13 – Excel 2013 Part 2

  • Library Book Group Nov. 15, 7 p.m., The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
  • Medicare 101 Nov. 29, 6 p.m. Presented by Eric Smith, the founder of Medicare Advisors of Alabama
  • Ya Ya Yarners Nov. 5, 19 and 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, call the library at 664-6822 or email Carol Smith at csmith@shelbycounty-al.org.
  • Children age 6 years old and younger must be with an adult at programs. Sign up for programs at the circulation desk or phone 664-6822. Activities are in the meeting room.