Online Resources FAQs

  • General Questions

    We offer a wide variety of online resources for eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming music and media, online learning and more!

    WBRL offers access to a variety of third-party online resources, such as OverDrive/Libby, hoopla, Solaro, Pronunciator, and more. Online resources have their own privacy policies and terms of use. Please review each resource's information before using it. 

    The Libby app is a one-tap reading app built by OverDrive for reading eBooks & digital magazines and for listening to eAudiobooks.

    The Libby app is available for Android (4.4 and up) & Apple (iOS) devices and can be accessed through your device's app store. 

    Getting started with Libby is easy! 

    Note: 

    • The Libby app is currently unavailable for Kindle Fire Devices.

    1. Download the Libby app from your device’s app store.
    2. Open the Libby app. Follow the prompts to find Wood Buffalo Regional Library.
    3. Log in with your library card number (25555*******) and PIN.
    4. Search or browse for a title to checkout.
    5. Select “Borrow” to checkout an item. If an item is unavailable, select “Place a Hold.” You will then receive a notification when the title becomes available to download.
    6. After tapping “Borrow,” a confirmation page appears to confirm the borrowed title.  Tap “Borrow!” to complete the checkout.
    7. Tap “Open Book” to begin reading or listening to the book, “Keep Browsing” to borrow more items or “Go to Shelf” to view all your checkouts.

    You will have access to the item for 14 days. It will automatically return when the loan period is over.

    Click here for more information and a user friendly guide to get started using Libby.

    Complex licensing agreements mean access to online resources like Libby and hoopla is excluded from non-resident borrowing privileges across Alberta, including at WBRL. We are unable to provide non-residents or patrons signed up through ME or TAL access to our online resources. Please access online resources offered through your local library.

    WBRL has several options for viewing eMagazines and eNewspapers: Libby and PressReader.

    Libby by OverDrive offers hundreds of digital magazines. We recommend that patrons interested in reading digital magazines use the Libby app for the best reading experience. 

    PressReader also offers digital magazines and a variety of popular newspapers. To use PressReader:

    1. Download the PressReader app from your device's app store.
    2. Click Sign In.
    3. Click on Library or Group.
    4. Search and select Wood Buffalo Regional Library.
    5. Enter your library card number and PIN.
    6. Check the box to allow PressReader to verify your information. 
    7. Click Submit.

    Free access through the PressReader app is only granted in 48-hour intervals. After 48 hours, sign back into the app with your library credentials to continue access.

    Magazines are also available in the ReadAlberta EBooks and Magazine collection. 

     

    WBRL has created several help videos on getting started with online resources.

    You can also contact us with specific questions using our online chat, phoning the Service Desk (780-743-7800) or by visiting us in person. We may ask you to set up an appointment depending on the depth of your inquiry. 

    Go to https://library.hoopladigital.com/forgot-password.

    Provide your email address so hoopla can send you a temporary password. 

    Since your hoopla account is linked to your personal email address, WBRL staff are unable to change your password for this resource.

    1. Visit your device’s app store and download the free hoopla Digital app. Tap Sign Up.
    2. Enter Wood Buffalo Regional Library in the search box.
    3. Enter an email address and create and confirm your password.
    4. Enter your library card number (25555*********) and Sign Up.
    5. Browse or select the magnifying glass icon to search for a specific title in the collection. To borrow a title, tap on the title and then select the Borrow button.
    6. Select Play/Read button to open the title on your mobile device.

    Most online resources are available anywhere with your library card.

    Exceptions are Ancestry Library Edition and Grant Connect. Use these resources on WBRL public computers or on your personal device when connected to WBRL WiFi.

    WBRL's online resources are licensed from different companies (content vendors). Most of our online resources are licensed only for RMWB residents. Your library card confirms your identity and fulfills the library's agreements with the vendors for access to their content.

  • hoopla

    Our hoopla contract will end as of October 1st, 2025; the last day to access hoopla through WBRL will be September 30th, 2025.

    WBRL has been experiencing steady increases in digital content borrowing each year and the subsequent rising expense of providing eBooks and eAudiobooks. In particular, hoopla’s cost-per-borrow model has meant unpredictable and swiftly increasing costs for WBRL year over year. These costs use up a significant portion of our total budget for all eContent. Unfortunately, like many other libraries across Canada, we have found that hoopla’s rising costs have become unsustainable for our library budget. We have also received negative feedback from library patrons about the rise of poor quality and A.I. generated content on hoopla.

    Yes; Libby continues to be available. We will dedicate more funds toward purchasing additional Libby content, reducing Libby wait times, and filling gaps in the Libby collection that were previously mainly covered by hoopla.

    Yes. We will be adding a new Online Resource for eComics once our hoopla contract ends; stay tuned.

    Yes. We will be adding a new Online Resource for movie streaming once our hoopla contract ends; stay tuned.