Online Resources
This would be the time to try out Overdrive, Hoopla or RB Digital! You’ll need your 14-digit library barcode number to set up an account with each service. Don’t know your number? Can’t find your library card? Send an email to [email protected]. We’ll send you the info you need.
So which one should you try? Here’s how they differ:
Overdrive: This is a quality collection of ebooks and audiobooks curated by Bibliomation, a consortium of CT libraries. Each ‘copy’ of each title can be used by one patron at a time and the collection is shared by about 70 libraries, which can make for lengthy waitlists. But you can limit your search results to items that are currently available. Our Overdrive subscription is sponsored by Friends of Pomfret Public Library.
Hoopla: This service has ebooks, audiobooks, comics, music, TV and movies. Hoopla is a multi-user model, meaning every patron has access to the entire collection, there are never any wait lists. The library pays a service fee for each item as it is checked out, which means – and here’s the downside – that we keep it manageable by limiting each patron to four checkouts per month. You should save the things that interest you to your list but wait until you are ready to use it to actually check it out. Hoopla is favored by our audiobook users; the selection is vast.
RB Digital: This collection is made available by the CT State Library. Truth – I don’t know that much about it. There are eBooks and eAudio, and libraries that subscribe to RB Digital seem quite pleased with the selection and usability.