Hoopla and text to speech: What to know

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Cliff Weitzman
By Cliff Weitzman Dyslexia & Accessibility Advocate, CEO/Founder of Speechify in Accessibility on June 27, 2022
Hoopla is a library extension that makes it easier to access the resources available in your local library. With text-to-speech, you can better utilize some of the resources available through Hoopla.

    If you are looking for a way to explore new content, then you might have thought about using Hoopla to help you. This has become a popular program, but what do you need to know? Take a look at a few key points below.

    What is Hoopla?

    First, it is important to get to know exactly what Hoopla is. While a lot of people have forgotten that public libraries even exist, this is a program that makes it easier for you to access your local libraries. This is an app that is available to people who have a library card. You can watch TV shows, enjoy some movies, and even read some comics. It is a program that is funded by libraries, and available on your computer, TV, or mobile device.

    There are thousands of titles available, with more being added every day. Already, there are thousands of locations included in this program, and there is a good chance that your public library might be a member as well. 

    Benefits of using Hoopla

    If you decide to use Hoopla, there are a few significant benefits you will enjoy. Some of the top examples include:

    • This program is completely free. As long as you have a library card, you should be able to enjoy it.
    • You get access to hundreds of thousands of titles on the program, and it even provides you with access to offline downloads.
    • You will even find some original content available on the program.
    • This is an application that works well on Android, Apple, iOS, Google Chrome, Roku, Amazon, and numerous other platforms.
    • You can access a wide variety of content types, including TV shows, comic books, music, audiobooks, movies, and other formats.

    Clearly, there are some significant benefits that you will enjoy if you decide to go with this program.

    Problems using Hoopla

    Even though there are a lot of benefits, there are a few drawbacks you might encounter as well. Some of the biggest drawbacks you might encounter include:

    • You do not get access to live streaming with this program. If you are interested in watching someone live, you will be out of luck if you want to use that program.
    • In addition, the quality of the streaming services can vary significantly depending on the library and the type of content you watch. You might be frustrated with it quality of the streaming programs.
    • Even though there are hundreds of thousands of titles available, you might not find exactly what you are looking for. You might end up getting frustrated with the content available.

    Because of these drawbacks, it might be a good idea to take a look at some of the other options you have available as well. 

    TTS reading apps

    There are several reading apps that can help you convert text into speech. Some of the top options include:

    • Natural Reader:  You may want to explore it to get your feet wet in the TTS world.
    • TTS Tool: The TTS Tool could be a strong talkback option; however, the voice is very robotic, and the customization options are limited.
    • Overdrive: The Libby app from Overdrive is a popular program for those interested in a large library. 
    • Speechify: Speechify is arguably the best TTS program to explore. This voiceover program has lots of customizable options and is great for people with disabilities. It can handle everything from social media posts to web pages and articles to PDF files. You can control the volume and reading speed, and you can create the perfect listening experience.

    Speechify

    Speechify can handle a wide variety of file types, gives you access to natural voices, and provide you with access to customizable features. It can handle just about anything you throw at it, and it is a great option for getting through documents quickly. You can increase the reading speed, access a text highlighting feature, and multitask as you listen.

    Getting started with Speechify

    If you want to explore TTS, you need to use Speechify. There is a free version available, and you can access a free trial of the premium version before you decide if you want to purchase the entire thing. Get started today. 

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    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman

    Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

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