Regarding digital publishing, there’s a great deal of chatter out there—unfortunately, most of it is inaccurate. If you're interested in hearing what’s truly happening within the industry, check out The Straight Download, hosted by Jeff Jankowski, Hoopla Founder and President, and Ann Ford, VP of Hoopla Sales and Support.

In this episode, we explore why libraries need better KPIs to measure digital success and how traditional metrics like checkouts and door counts fall short. We discuss shifting focus toward community reach, engagement, and retention—while examining the impact of power users on usage data.

Ann and Jeff take a closer look at the utilization of the licenses being purchased by libraries—focusing on how utilization is measured, some of the factors that influence it, and the return on investment across different types of licenses. 

What are the hosts reading?

Jeff is diving into the intrigue of Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, while Ann is exploring the powerful insights of, You’re Not Listening by Kate Murphy—two thought-provoking listens available now on Hoopla!

Related Links 

Readers First Article

An Open Request to OverDrive: two ways to reduce library costs — Readers First

Annerysms with Ann Ford  

https://library.hoopladigital.com/tag/annerysms/

LinkedIn  Group

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14471398/

In Episode 3 of The Straight Download Podcast, we explore a critical question: Are libraries getting their money’s worth from digital content licenses? 

In 2019, 76% of the audiobook licenses purchased by libraries were perpetual. By 2024, however, 64% of the licenses purchased were metered. A metered license is one that expires after a set period—typically 12 or 24 months—rather than being owned indefinitely. In this episode, Ann and Jeff discuss how this shift in licensing models affects cost per circulation, return on investment (ROI), and the overall composition of a library’s audiobook collection.

What are the hosts reading? 

Jeff is reading Malcolm Gladwell's Revenge of the Tipping Point, which is available through Hoopla Flex.  Ann is enjoying the mystery, At Loggerheads by Kristen Ness.

Related links 

Navigating the Digital Publishing Landscape (Blog Article)

Library Insights Summit 2025 

2025 American Library Association Conference 

Ann and Jeff are back to break down a topic of what’s draining library budgets everywhere. Metered licenses - what are they, why do they matter, and how are they reshaping the way libraries serve their communities? Whether you're a librarian, a budget hawk, or just curious about the cost behind your favorite audiobooks and eBooks, this episode delivers the straight facts! Subscribe now so you don’t miss it! 

Ann and Jeff discuss the inspiration behind the Hoopla platform and its pay-per-use model. The discussion also touches on patron expectations, pricing, and how the service will continue to evolve. 

Learn more about Hoopla 

Average cost per circ on Hoopla (2013-2024) 

Platform data 

 The Straight Download is a raw and informative podcast for library professionals, and anyone interested in the digital publishing industry.