Hoopla, by Midwest Tape

Database Image:

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Hoopla

Author: Various

Vendor: Midwest Tape

Reader’s Annotation:

Music, movies, and more, with no waitlists.

Summary:

This paid database allows teens to access ebooks, audiobooks, comics, music, television shows, and movies for free as a part of their library membership.  Each user has a limited number of items they can check out per month.  Depending on the item being borrowed, it may be available for streaming, or for downloading on a mobile device.  There are no wait lists, with all patrons having access to each item at any time.

Critical Evaluation:

Because there are six different types of materials available in this database, the setup is somewhat complicated, because each material is in a different area.  However, once you know what material type you are seeking, the process is fairly intuitive.  There are main categories and subcategories allowing users to browse results and narrow them.  You can also filter your results, or search for a specific material.  You can easily switch between material type using a menu at the top of the page.

The setup of the database is visually appealing.  While each page contains a lot of visual information, such as book or album covers depending on what material you are searching, there is ample white space on the page to prevent users from getting overwhelmed.  Similarly, the database seems to be intended for mostly visual browsing.  Very little title information appears on the search results pages.  You can, however, click on a title to get additional information.

One thing I found troublesome is the browsing results pages do not see to display how many total results there are; for example, when browsing documentaries, each page shows 50 items, so the header may say something like “Showing 1-50” but you cannot tell if that is out of 100, 1000, or 51. 

Author Biography:

Not applicable

Genre(s): 

Database, Fiction, Nonfiction, Movies, Series, Comics

Curriculum Ties:

Pennsylvania State Standard CC.1.3.9-10.K

Read and comprehend literary fiction on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.

Booktalk Ideas:

Book talk on a specific title, particularly one where the book and film versions are both available on Hoopla

A general booktalk on how digital resources benefit patrons, the library, and even the environment

          

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

13 and up

Challenge Issues: Because teens would also have access to "mature" materials  in this database, there could be challenges based on adult language, sexuality or nudity, violence, and substance use represented.

  If this database, or any items it contained, were challenged I would:

·         Listen to the concerns of the person raising the challenge

·         Consult the library’s collection development policy

·         Explain how this work meets a library need based on the collection development policy 

·         Consult YALSA’s Dealing with Challenges to Young Adult Materials

·         Consult reviews on VOYA, Amazon, Common Sense Media, and Kirkus

·         Discuss any awards or notable commendations the book received

·         Explain the library’s commitment to intellectual freedom as discussed in the ALA Library Bill of Rights

·         Give the patron the procedure for a formal challenge should they seek to pursue it

Why was this database selected:

I am including Hoopla as a database because teens are able to access so many additional materials using this database.  The libraries I work at do not have this database as a resource, but another library I belong to does.  I imagine Hoopla is a costly database for libraries, but given the number of different materials available through it, I think it is a worthwhile investment.  Teens can access ebooks, audiobooks, movies, television shows, comics, and music.  Of all those areas, all but music have teen specific categories, making it easier to search for age appropriate materials.  Offering resources such as these allows libraries to stay relevant and competitive in the age of personal technology. 

TransGeneration Documentary Series, produced by Sundance Channel

Cover:

Bibliographic Information:

Title: TransGeneration

Producer: Sundance Channel

ASIN: B000CRR3I8

Studio: Docurama

Copyright: 2006

Reader’s Annotation:

How do teens deal with issues of gender identity in addition to regular pressures of college?

Plot Summary:

Four transgender college students, TJ, Raci, Lucas, and Gabbie, discuss their respective gender identities, how they came to realize they are transgender.  TJ and Lucas are female to male, while Raci and Gabbi are male to female.  Each student explains how their particular college experience is unique.  They explore complex issues from hormones to gender reassignment surgery, as well as how their families are dealing with their transitions.

Critical Evaluation:

Shot in traditional documentary style, this series captures real world moments, as well as individual "confessional" style moments with each cast member.  We see each of the 4 cast members in their school environments as well as they home or family environments, and the series shows aspects of each individual person's journey.  For example, we see Gabbie moving towards her gender reassignment surgery, her journey through the surgery, and her recovery.  We see how this impacts her both at school and within her family.

The documentary series focuses on how all aspects of each cast member's life come together to tell their story, not just limiting the story to gender identity.  For example, Raci is not only trans, she is hearing impaired, Filipina, and poor.  The intersection of all of these qualities is explored when telling Raci's story, and how her gender identity impacts or is impacted by all these other things.  For example, her poverty status was preventing her from getting hormones from the doctor, so she was buying them on the street, which can be very dangerous.

One of the weaker aspects of the writing involved the character development.  The only character I felt at all connected to was Cassie, which makes sense, since she is the focus of the book.  I felt that Sammy could have been better developed, as he is the force that really drives all of Cassie’s actions.  Some of the secondary characters were somewhat bland, particularly the soldiers. With their code names, I frequently got some of those characters mixed up.

The production values on the series are good.  The series is shot in a way that looks good; there is obviously quality editing done, and professional looking title sequences.  The sound aspect of the show is also of a high quality, both in terms of the sound recording and the accompanying music.

Author Biography:

Not applicable

Genre(s): 
Series, Documentary, LGBTQIA

Curriculum Ties:

Not applicable

Booktalk Ideas:

A discussion on gender identity as a spectrum.

A discussion about normal teen stressors can be impacted for teens who are trans, queer, or non-binary

          

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

14 and up

Challenge Issues: Could be challenged based on adult language, teen sexuality, and frank discussion of transgender topics.

  If this series were challenged I would:

·         Listen to the concerns of the person raising the challenge

·         Consult the library’s collection development policy

·         Explain how this work meets a library need based on the collection development policy 

·         Consult YALSA’s Dealing with Challenges to Young Adult Materials

·         Consult reviews on VOYA, Amazon, Common Sense Media, and Kirkus

·         Discuss any awards or notable commendations the book received

·         Explain the library’s commitment to intellectual freedom as discussed in the ALA Library Bill of Rights

·         Give the patron the procedure for a formal challenge should they seek to pursue it

Why was this series selected:

Even though this series is over a decade old, I think it still can add value to a library collection.  As trans rights move more and more to the forefront, positive depictions of trans people in media is vital.  This series is a very frank, honest discussion of what these 4 college students experience in terms of gender identity and its impact on all aspects of their lives.  There are not a lot of ways for teens to access such honest stories, and I think this could help empower so many trans teens.  It is important that our collections have a variety of materials, so movies, series, and shows certainly have a place in a young adult collection.  This documentary series does not sugar coat anything, and it also examines intersectionality in terms of race, socioeconomic status, disability, and gender identity.

Pretty Little Liars Season 1, created by I. Marlene King

Cover:

  

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Pretty Little Liars, Season 1

Creator: I. Marlene King

ASIN: B003R4ZMJU

Studio: Warner Home Video

Copyright: 2011

Reader’s Annotation:

This is what happens when you keep too many secrets.

Summary:

The first season follows teen girls Emily, Aria, Spencer, and Hanna in the aftermath of a tragedy where the leader of their little group, Alison, goes missing.  The friends begin receiving messages from a mysterious person named only “A”.  Often these messages contain hints of the secrets the girls are harboring, and threats to make those secrets public.  Alison’s body is discovered, and the town now begins to become entangled in a murder investigation, where nearly everyone is a suspect.  Each girl deals with personal dilemmas, with “A” pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Critical Evaluation:

This first season of the series introduces a wide variety of characters, including the late Alison, who shows up in frequent flashbacks.  The main storyline is obviously the mystery of who killed Alison, as well as who is the mysterious “A”, but each character has multiple substories.  At times, these substories become increasingly unbelievable and melodramatic.  The substory that I find particularly problematic is Aria secretly dating her English teacher.  Most of the stories, however, deal with fairly typical teen situations, such as questions of sexuality, parental divorce, and pressures to perform well in school.  I do, however,  have some mild concerns that none of the teens seem to suffer many consequences for their bad behavior.

The production values on the series are quite good; it looks amazing.  The actors and actresses portraying teens do so very convincingly.  Because the series is set in a fictional suburb of Philadelphia in a very wealthy area, they styling of the show is fairly lush, with the girls wearing expensive designer clothes, and having fairly comfortable lives.  While this may seem unrealistic or inaccessible to many teens, this fantasy of wealth is part of why the show appeals to teens.

Author Biography:

Not applicable

Genre(s): 
Series, Drama

Curriculum Ties:

Not applicable

Booktalk Ideas:

A discussion on why some secrets should not be kept, and what to do when entrusted with such a secret.

A discussion about what makes for a healthy friendship, versus a toxic friendship.

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

13 and up

Challenge Issues: Could be challenged based on adult language, teen sexual situations, teen substance use, mild language, scenes where teens break the law, and characters lacking respect for authority.

  If this series were challenged I would:

·         Listen to the concerns of the person raising the challenge

·         Consult the library’s collection development policy

·         Explain how this work meets a library need based on the collection development policy 

·         Consult YALSA’s Dealing with Challenges to Young Adult Materials

·         Consult reviews on VOYA, Amazon, Common Sense Media, and Kirkus

·         Discuss any awards or notable commendations the book received

·         Explain the library’s commitment to intellectual freedom as discussed in the ALA Library Bill of Rights

·         Give the patron the procedure for a formal challenge should they seek to pursue it

Why was this series selected:

I chose to include this series in my collection, because it remains incredibly popular among teens.  This evaluation just covers the first season of the series, with the 7^th season airing on television currently.  The show is based on a book series by the same name, thought there are substantial differences between the books and the show.  This means that fans of the book series can still enjoy the show without knowing all the plot points.  I strongly believe that some items in a teen collection should be purely for enjoyment, and this series is certainly enjoyed by many teens.