Digital Library FAQs

  • General Questions

    eServices are not free for everyone. To use Thunder Bay Public Library's eServices, you must hold a valid Library Card by:

    Visit our Digital Library to learn about our online collections, including

    • eBooks, eNews, eMagazines & eAudiobooks
    • eComics & digital graphic novels
    • streaming video
    • streaming classical music
    • databases
    • research tools
    • local history indexes

    As part of Thunder Bay Public Library's transition to hoopla for digital services, our subscription to Comics Plus was not renewed, and will expire on June 30, 2025. 

    Learn more and get started with hoopla here.

    On Monday, March 17, we began migrating our eBook and audiobook titles from cloudLibrary to hoopla, a new platform that offers an improved digital borrowing experience. During this transition, materials will no longer be available on cloudLibrary. These titles will become accessible again starting April 1 on hoopla.

    Learn more and get started with hoopla here.

    Email coaches@tbpl.ca for more detailed assistance, or email comments@tbpl.ca for help signing up for a Library card or updating your PIN.

  • hoopla

    Once you register and login using your Library card number and PIN, you’ll see that hoopla offers two types of  borrows:

    Instant ⚡
    Instant borrows work exactly as they sound. No waiting, no holds. If you see an Instant title, you can borrow it  immediately! However, since the Library pays per checkout, we have monthly and daily borrowing limits in place. Each patron gets up to five Instant borrows per month.

    Instant items include:

    • movies, TV shows, music, comics, magazines;
    • books and audiobooks (except the newest releases); and
    • BingePasses.

    Flex 🔄

    Flex borrows function similarly to cloudLibrary. You can either check out available items or place a hold if they’re currently in use. This is where you’ll find the newest and  hottest releases! What’s important to know is:

    • you can have up to five Flex items checked out at a time, with no monthly limit;
    • returning a Flex item frees up space to borrow another;
    • you can place up to ten holds on Flex items; and
    • flex borrows are exclusively for books and audiobooks.

    One of the best features of hoopla is Bonus Borrows! For the last seven days of each month, you can enjoy a curated collection of titles that don’t count against your borrowing  limits. That means extra books, movies, and more, completely free! Look for the Bonus Borrow banner on selected titles in the hoopla app during the last seven days of every month and enjoy!

    These special collections, like The Great Courses or magazine subscriptions, give you unlimited access to content for one full week by using just one of your Instant borrows.

  • Transparent Language

    Yes! Check out Kidspeak, opens a new window™, created specially for kids aged six and up.

    While the available material in each language varies, all languages generally include enough material to reach the Novice High (Advanced Beginner) level on the ACTFL scale. Many languages include material that will be very useful to a learner in reaching the Intermediate Mid level. In major languages, material that is designed to support learners into the Intermediate High and Advanced levels is provided.

    Transparent Language Online includes a variety of culture resources including:

    • Culture videos
    • Vocabulary culture comments
    • Authentic conversation videos (filmed in country)
    • Cultural activities in major language courses
    • Language and culture are connected in the course content development approach, whereby all items are chosen and phrased in a culturally appropriate way.
    • Culture is intertwined into the learning process in the form of comments/hints on vocabulary materials. An "About" reference file can also be found in each language, giving the user a background in the language they are learning.

    Yes, native speaker pronunciation is included throughout the program for all words and phrases. Every word and phrase in the program is recorded at natural speed by a native speaker, which learners can listen to as often as they like. The SlowSound feature lets the learner slow the pronunciation to hear the nuances of the native speaker's pronunciation.

    Yes, the speech activities in Transparent Language Online are powered by EveryVoice™ technology. EveryVoice is a technology that analyzes and matches learner utterances to native speaker utterances with accuracy in any language. It allows for a variety of speech-enabled interactions, which builds speaker confidence and ability