By the Friends of the Colusa County Free Library
At the third annual Merry Mocktail Mixer on Monday, December 1, 2025 the Friends of the Colusa County Free Library launched a special community fundraiser to support one of the library’s most popular digital services: Hoopla, the e-lending platform that provides cardholders instant access to thousands of ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music albums, and television shows. This year, rising subscription costs and increased patron use have prompted the Friends to step in and rally community support to secure the library’s annual subscription.
Hoopla has become a vital resource for Colusa County patrons, offering easy, on-demand access to materials without waitlists. Whether a reader is looking for a bestselling audiobook for their morning commute, a young adult graphic novel, or a quick book to read with your kids while waiting for an appointment, Hoopla provides convenient, 24/7 access with nothing more than a library card and an internet connection. For many rural families, students, and seniors, this platform has expanded access to materials that would otherwise be unavailable due to physical distance, limited transportation, or branch collections stretched across seven locations.
The Friends’ Hoopla fundraiser aims to keep this service available to all residents free of charge. Every dollar raised goes directly toward the annual subscription fee, ensuring that the library will continue offering unlimited digital borrowing in the coming year. The Friends note that the cost of Hoopla is based on use, and Colusa’s growing readership has embraced the platform enthusiastically, something worth celebrating, but also requiring increased financial support. Typically, each item borrowed from Hoopla costs the library $1-3. With an average of 300 items being borrowed monthly by Colusa County patrons, costs add up quickly.
Community members can contribute through the Friends’ GiveButter fundraising campaign: Donating is quick, simple, and secure. Gifts of any size make a meaningful difference. Donations not only help preserve access to thousands of digital titles but also demonstrate strong community commitment to literacy, lifelong learning, and equitable access to information.
The Friends of the Colusa County Free Library have long supported programs, technology, and enrichment opportunities that enhance library services. This special Hoopla fundraiser continues that tradition by inviting the community to invest in a resource that benefits patrons of all ages.
For more information, or to make a contribution, visit the Friends’ fundraiser page and help ensure that Colusa County readers can continue to enjoy the wide world of Hoopla in the year ahead: https://givebutter.com/ahNnjB