Let’s be honest the weather lately has left much to be desired – in the Pittsburgh area when it snows you will inevitably need to repair your car. It is the law of the cosmos or something. Fear not though because we have a great resource to help you and your car get through this wintery season – Auto Repair Source! Simply log into Auto Repair Source with your library card number, and the world of car repair and maintenance is right at your fingertips. You will need to enter the appropriate year, make, model, and engine information to get to the pages you need but I believe in you! You can make this repair happen (I hope)!
Ugh.. winter why?
Okay I get it – you looked at the specs and it is all another language to you. No judgement and no worries! Auto Repair Source also offers parts and labor estimates. And don’t worry if the mechanic is speaking another language too you can pull up diagrams and image that you can zoom in on and also print if you need. Winter won’t win this one – the library has you and your car’s back!
As library staff, we’re always looking for fun, engaging resources to share with our communities—and Mango Languages is a real gem! This easy-to-use language-learning platform offers practical, cultural, and conversational tools for patrons of all ages and interests.
What’s Mango Languages All About?
Mango Languages is a free online language-learning resource available to your patrons through the library. It offers over 70 languages (including English courses for non-native speakers) and focuses on real-world conversation skills, cultural insights, and practical applications.
Why Mango Languages is a Game-Changer for Your Library
Something for Everyone: Mango works for beginners and advanced learners alike. Whether patrons want to travel, advance their careers, or learn for fun, Mango has them covered.
Cultural Insights: The lessons include tips on cultural norms and nuances, helping patrons communicate respectfully and effectively.
Learn Anywhere: Mango is available on both desktop and mobile devices, so patrons can learn on their own schedule, wherever they are.
Keeps People Coming Back: The interactive lessons and personalized learning paths make it easy to stay motivated and engaged.
Easy Ways to Share Mango with Your Community
Here are some ideas to help get the word out and make Mango a hit with your patrons:
Include It in Outreach: Highlight Mango in newsletters, social media posts, and any presentations or talks you give. It’s a great resource to showcase during cultural events, travel-themed programs, or job readiness workshops.
Make It Part of Programs: Think about hosting “Language Learning Clubs” or drop-in sessions to help patrons get started with Mango. A weekly “French Conversation Hour” or “Spanish Basics for Travelers” could spark a lot of interest!
Get Staff On Board: Make sure your team knows how Mango works so they can recommend it confidently. Bonus: Encourage staff to try it themselves—it’s fun and great for professional development!
Promote the Mobile App: A lot of patrons love learning on the go. Let them know they can download the Mango app and sync it with their library account.
How Mango Makes a Difference in Your Community
For Non-Native English Speakers: Mango’s ESL courses help build language skills and confidence, creating a more welcoming community.
For Travelers: Mango is perfect for learning key phrases before an international trip.
For Students: It’s a great way for students to boost their language classes or explore something new.
For Professionals: Mango can help patrons level up their careers by adding a new language to their skill set.
Let’s Make Mango a Hit!
Mango Languages is more than just a learning platform—it’s a way to help patrons explore, connect, and grow. By spreading the word and weaving it into your programming, you can give your community a resource that opens doors to new cultures and opportunities.
Looking for a way to share more library resources? hoopla makes it easy!
hoopla offers an abundance of marketing and outreach resources that make sharing the collections with library users simple. Visit the hoopla Resource Center to find lists of featured collections, digital and printable marketing assets and even suggested post content.
View the Editorial Calendar for tools pertaining to upcoming holidays and themes. Find more general marketing materials in the Marketing & Outreach portion of the site.
Use this chance to schedule some posts highlighting online collections during the holiday season!
Don’t forget to check back throughout the year to discover more resources and collections to share!
If you are a history nerd, especially of old photos, then be sure to check out this amazing section on the Library of Congress website. It is filled with over 1 million photos, prints and drawings covering all aspects of American life.
A simple search on George Westinghouse produced over 300 images – from portraits of the inventor, to images of his home, Westinghouse Park and images of workers in his factories.
So take a few minutes to peruse the photos at the Library of Congress. You won’t regret it!
