Hoopla Ends June 30: Here’s What Southern Maryland Libraries Offer Instead

Jessica Jennings

Photo Credit: Envato

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Photo Credit: Envato

Photo Credit: Envato

LA PLATA, Md. — Hoopla Digital is being discontinued at all public libraries in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties after June 30, 2025, due to rising costs. However, residents will still have access to a broad selection of free reading, listening and learning tools. From e-books and music to digital comics and genealogy resources, Southern Maryland libraries continue to offer a wide variety of free digital services for all ages.

Among the most popular alternatives:

Among the most popular alternatives:

  • Libby: Offers e-books, audiobooks and magazines for download or streaming.
  • Kanopy: Streams acclaimed independent films, documentaries and children’s shows.
  • BookFlix: An online literacy program by Scholastic that pairs animated fictional storybooks with related nonfiction e-books, designed for children in pre-K through third grade.
  • Freegal Music: Provides ad-free music streaming and three MP3 downloads per week. (Calvert and Charles County libraries only)
  • Comics Plus (coming July 1 to St. Mary’s): Offers unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, manga and picture books for readers of all ages.
  • Genealogy & Local History Resources: Online tools include Ancestry Library Edition (in-library only), HeritageQuest and a searchable archive of Southern Maryland publications.
  • 3D Printing Services (Calvert and St. Mary’s libraries only):
    • St. Mary’s County Library: Available at all branches. Patrons upload their design files, the library prints them, and users are notified when the item is ready for pickup.
    • Calvert Library: Offered at the Prince Frederick, Southern and Twin Beaches branches with a request form and guidelines for filament, finishing and job timing.

popular alternatives

Libby and Comic Plus from: https://www.stmalib.org/read-listen-watch/ebooks-and-audiobooks/ 

Kanopy from CCPL: https://ccplonline.org/kanopy/ 

Bookflix from Cosmos: https://cosmos.somd.lib.md.us/online-resources/1234/scholastic-bookflix/ 

Each library system offers its own special resources and programs — check out all three websites to discover what’s available:

Want even more ways to get involved this summer?
Explore your library’s Summer Reading Program and sign up for free family activities, prizes and reading adventures for all ages.

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