The library subscribes to several resources that offer electronic versions of books (ebooks), audiobooks, music, and movies accessible through your computer, phone, or other mobile device.
Since the materials contained in these resources are for patrons of all ages, parents may wish to employ filters or “kids’ modes” to show search results appropriate for children.
hoopla
Open hoopla’s website at hoopladigital.com or through the hoopla app on your phone or mobile device. Log into your hoopla account using your email address and password.
In the top right-hand (left-hand for iOS) corner of your screen you will see an icon for the Kids Mode. The icon will look like this on the website or on devices with iOS (Apple) installed. Android devices will just say KIDS. You may also find access to the Kids Mode under the Settings gear.
Click on the icon and you will see a message that says: hoopla Kids Mode help parents and their children discover kid-friendly content. When you turn on Kids Mode, you’ll only see content recommended for kids 12 and younger.
Click on the blue TURN ON button. On the website or iOS devices the KIDS OFF icon will change to KIDS ON. On Android devices, the KIDS icon will have an added checkmark next to it.
If you would like the added security of a PIN, click into the checkbox to “Require a pin to unlock Kids Mode”, and then click on the gray Enter 4-digit PIN button. Enter a 4-digit PIN, and click Done. Click on the blue TURN ON button.
To exit Kids Mode to show adult materials, click the blue TURN OFF button. If you used a PIN, enter the PIN first. Please note: hoopla remains in Kids Mode only until you turn off Kids Mode or you log out of your account.
Click on the Back button to access materials.
Kanopy
Kanopy has a separate catalog for kids at https://www.kanopy.com/en/kids. On the website, click on the red Kids button to enter Kanopy Kids. On your mobile device, you will find the Kanopy Kids link either under the account name or at the bottom of the screen under More à Go to Kanopy Kids.
A PIN can only be set through the website. To set a PIN for added security, go to https://www.kanopy.com/parentalcontrols. Alternatively, within the website, click on the account name and choose About Kanopy Kids. In the Parental Controls section, click on the link to set a PIN. Enter a 4-digit PIN, and click on the red Turn On button.
To leave Kanopy Kids, click on the red Exit Kids button. Enter the 4-digit PIN, if you set one, and click on the red Exit Kids button. If you want to log out, you will need to enter the 4-digit PIN.
Libby app, OverDrive
Libby does not have a separate kids site/catalog/mode, but it does offer audience filters that can restrict searches and browsing to age-appropriate materials and guides that list curated collections of age-relevant materials.
Audience filters also may be used to cull adult materials from the results of searches and browsing. Before clicking on the magnifying glass icon to search, on the Libby home page, click on the filter icon at the top that displays three horizontal lines. Scroll down to Audience, and choose juvenile (for children’s materials) or young adult (for teen items). A green button above shows how many titles are available; click on the green button. Now only juvenile or young adult materials are displayed.
To pin the filter for future searching and browsing, click on the purple audience filter. Click on Pin Filter. The name of the audience filter will have the image of a push pin next to it. Until removed, all searches and browsing will occur through the pinned filter.
Please note that the pinned filter can easily be removed by clicking on the filter and choosing Remove Filter.
The pinned filter also does not filter out the BIG LIBRARY READ and EXTRAS sections. To hide sections, click on the minus icon to the right of the section. It will close the section. To unhide all sections that have been hidden, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click on the Restore Dismissed Lists button.
Separate guides named “Kids” and “Teens” may be found on Libby’s home page, and are listed under the GUIDES section. Each guide features a librarian-curated list of age-relevant books, comics, audiobooks and magazines.
Within each guide, click the filter icon to filter for more specific subjects, formats, availability, etc. The audience filter can be pinned from this screen as well.