Frankfort Library Considers Limiting Digital Access on Educator Cards to Manage Costs

FRANKFORT, IL – The Frankfort Public Library is exploring a change to its digital lending policies for local educators to manage the rising costs and high demand for popular streaming services.

During its Thursday meeting, the Board of Trustees discussed a proposal to amend its intergovernmental agreement with Summit Hill School District 161 regarding educator library cards. The proposed change would allow educators to continue accessing the library’s digital materials, but with a specific exception: the popular media platform Hoopla.

According to library officials, the restriction is a necessary step to control costs and ensure broader access for all patrons. Hoopla operates on a model where the library pays a fee each time a patron borrows an item, and the service has a daily financial spending cap.

The meeting minutes noted that the Frankfort library experiences a “disproportionately high usage of digital materials compared to many other libraries in the area.” This high demand, particularly for an expensive, in-demand platform like Hoopla, puts a potential strain on the library’s digital resources budget.

By restricting educator cards from using Hoopla, the library aims to reduce pressure on the platform’s daily spending limit, which in turn would help ensure that more patrons have an opportunity to check out digital materials.

The board discussed the proposed amendment as part of its new business, but no formal action was taken at the meeting.