HOLLAND, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--hoopla Digital, the only all-in-one digital media app for public libraries and their patrons, announced today that it is partnering with Creativebug, the easy-to-use, high-quality online arts and crafts education resource used by library patrons and consumers around the world.
Creativebug provides users unlimited access to thousands of arts and crafts classes taught by experts, making crafting accessible at any time and any place. With no expiration dates on classes on the Creativebug platform, users can start and stop projects at their own pace. Creativebug encourages a creative lifestyle and is committed to making the world a more beautiful place.
Through the Creativebug BingePass, library patrons can access high-definition video classes taught by top designers and artists to learn how to paint, draw, sew, knit, throw a DIY party and more. Courses are as brief as five minutes or as long as several hours, and are available as both pre-recorded lessons and virtual events. Patrons can also access month-long Daily Practice courses designed to create artistic habits. Through curated Learning Journeys, patrons can follow a series of classes and techniques that build upon each other, allowing them to gain knowledge at their own pace, build confidence, and complete projects along the way.
“This program expands access to lifelong learning opportunities,” said hoopla Digital founder Jeff Jankowski. “The addition of this BingePass helps meet the diverse needs of our patrons, whether they’re polishing existing skills or exploring a new hobby. We’re equipping people with the tools to learn, create, and thrive at any stage of life.”
With this new partnership, participating public libraries will receive immediate access to the program through hoopla with no additional fees or subscriptions to manage, while patrons receive free unlimited access for a week with a library card. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, communities have been turning to their libraries for more than books – libraries have become hubs for essential community resources. The Creativebug BingePass provides services that support librarians aiming to offer more hands-on, creative resources to their patrons.
“Our goal is to inspire individuals to form creative habits and embrace lifelong learning, whether through mastering a new skill or exploring their artistic side,” said Liana Allday, General Manager at Creativebug. “By partnering with hoopla, we can more broadly spread resources that spark creativity and open new possibilities. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background or experience, can discover the joy of learning and creating, and we’re excited to help make that journey more accessible.”
hoopla’s new Creativebug BingePass is one of more than 30 BingePasses available to public libraries and their patrons — expanding hoopla’s commitment to providing unique content for free to library patrons. BingePass is a unique innovation from hoopla, offering unlimited access to educational and entertaining collections of streaming content and platforms for seven days with just one borrow. Since the beginning of 2024, BingePass borrows have increased by 59% and title circulations through BingePass have increased 93%.
BingePass is accessible anywhere, either on the web or via hoopla’s mobile app, with no commercials or ads. Patrons of all ages and interests can find something to borrow including magazines, eBooks, popular movies and TV series, puzzles and more.
About hoopla Digital
With a mission to serve public libraries and their patrons, hoopla is the only all-in-one app that provides online and mobile access to millions of eBooks, audiobooks, comics and manga, music, movies, TV, and more with BingePass. Available in 115 world languages, content on hoopla is available for free with a valid library card. hoopla is the pioneer of the pay per use model that allows library patrons to borrow content immediately, no waits or holds required. Headquartered in Holland, Ohio, hoopla is a service of Midwest Tape, a trusted partner to public libraries for over 30 years. For more information or to download the hoopla app, visit hoopladigital.com.
About Creativebug
Creativebug was founded in 2012 by two busy moms who dreamed of taking a craft class while their kids were in bed or sneaking in a lesson on their lunch break. This vision became what Creativebug is today: a platform that is open 24/7, featuring thousands of online sewing, art, craft and needle art classes tailor-made for a diverse community of makers. All content featured on Creativebug has been filmed and edited in its studios across the Bay Area. The instructors who teach classes on Creativebug are professional educators, small business owners, authors, and working artists. Creativebug is a wholly owned subsidiary of JOANN, the nation’s category leader in sewing and fabrics with one of the largest arts and crafts offerings, with about 800 stores across the U.S. For more information, please visit creativebug.com.
