Mango Languages

Patrons Give Props to R&S.

When we released our Religious and Scholarly Course Collection last June, we were excited about the appeal it would have with students and religious scholars.  After all, the collection – which allows users to study classical and religious texts in their original form – was the only one of its kind on the market, as it continues to remain today.

However, what we didn’t expect to see was so much excitement and positive feedback from our younger generation of Mango fans.  But according to many “Mango Moms”, their kids have had a blast learning about ancient cultures and civilizations from the R&S Collection.

Take Jody M., for example, who told us: “I just started using your program through my local library with my 8 year old who wants to learn Latin and Ancient Greek.  Thank you so much for including these courses, since they are often difficult to find!”  Or Sara P., who shared that she was “learning Latin with a 9 and 11 year old.”

Who knew that Mango would inspire a new generation of mini-scholars?  We’re sure they’re heading great places – keep up the awesome work!

Don’t forget, Mango’s R&S courses appeal to faith-based schools, religious organizations, and community centers – providing your library with a great opportunity to conduct outreach and promote your resources to other groups in the area!

Howdy, Partner.

Mango is more than just another fruit-themed vendor.  We partner with our clients because we truly care about them becoming a hub for culture and language learning.  How do we love thee? Let us count the ways.

1. The MAP
The Mango Administration Portal is your home for stats galore, training resources and more promotional goodies than you can shake a Mango tree branch at.

2. Freebies.
Speaking of marketing goodies, through the MAP you have access to free downloadable and customizable marketing materials like blog posts, press releases, website images and even sample Twitter posts.  Tweet, tweet.

3. FindMango.com
The more patrons, the merrier. With findmango.com, we’re working to drive more traffic to your library.  New patrons can find their way by visiting findmango.com and entering their zip code.  From there, we link them directly to your site and even instruct them to high-five their librarian when they get a library card!  Check it out: findmango.com.

4. Social Media Feature
We help your patrons show off and spread word of the knowledge they gained at your library. Our new Social Media Feature lets users post their language-learning progress on Facebook and Twitter, earn virtual badges and send all their friends to findmango.com to drive traffic to your library.

5. Mango 101 Staff Training Webinar
This live training session is designed to turn you and your staff into Mango Masters.  We’ll walk you through the program step-by-step, answer any questions, show you how to access your library’s stats, and provide you with tips on how to promote Mango and boost usage at your library.

6.  So many more ways.
Contact your Mango rep today to find out all the other ways Mango partners with you and impacts your community.

Throw a Mango Social.

Looking for a great way to attract new patrons and spread the word about your digital resources?  Consider hosting a Mango Day!  Not only is it a ton of fun for staff and patrons alike, it’s also great opportunity for your library to earn checklist points to redeem for swag through the MAP.

Every Mango Day is unique.  Some of our partner libraries focus on a community initiative, like ESL literacy or the benefits of a second language, others center their party around a particular holiday or event, like Chinese New Year, Carnival, or Back-to-School time.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Give away goodies: Mango promotional items make for happy patrons.  Ask your rep about the items we have available.
• Chow down: Mango-flavored treats, like smoothies, go a long way.
• Focus on ESL: Invite patrons to study groups where they can gather to practice English together with Mango.
• Host a meet-up: The library is a great place for learners of a particular language to congregate and practice.  And what better meeting place than one chock-full of language-learning resources?
• Show how it’s done: schedule a live demo to give patrons a taste of Mango in action!  If you need a refresher course beforehand, sign up for our Mango 101 training webinar.

Want even more ideas?  Check out this Pinterest board with examples from other libraries.  And don’t forget to email your Mango Rep photos from your Mango Day to be featured on Pinterest!

Mango Languages: LJ’s “Best Database for Library Outreach”

Mango is excited and honored to announce that we were voted the “Best Database for Library Outreach” by Library Journal!  Check it out in Library Journal’s first annual Reference Issue, coming out on Nov. 1^st.

This recognition is especially meaningful, since our goal is to be a partner for our library clients, not just a resource.  We work with libraries to promote awareness of their digital resources and help them become a hub for language and culture in their community.

One of our newest awareness campaigns is the launch of FindMango.com.  This website helps users locate libraries in their area that offer Mango, driving traffic to our partner libraries and promoting awareness of their resources.  Mango also offers a host of free marketing materials, live training sessions, detailed usage statistics, and a bunch of other awesome services to help our clients optimize their Mango experience.

Want to learn more about how Mango benefits libraries?  Check out our webinar!

Care to share?

Mango loves libraries.  And we love hearing from their patrons.
We want to know: how has learning a language through your library impacted your life? Tell us your story and we may feature it on our blog!

Mango 101: Have You Registered?

Do you know how to earn points through the MAP and redeem them for Mango swag?  What about setting up a MARC record for Mango? Or how to filter and export usage statistics?  To find out answers to all of these questions – and much more – be sure to register for our new Mango 101 training webinar.  The purpose of this presentation is to help our existing clients make the most of their Mango account.  By the time you’re done, you’ll be able to navigate the MAP like a pro, be a usage stats whiz, and have tons of fresh ideas on how to spread the word to your patrons.  So if you haven’t had the chance to attend yet, please take a few minutes to sign up through one of the registration links below:

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT

Mango Feature Shout-Outs

Did you know you can earn points on our “Mango Checklist” by adding a Mango logo or link to your library’s website?  Prominently feature the link on your website and it’s sure to attract more attention than if it’s buried somewhere the user has to search for it.  Of course, there’s a number of ways that libraries can do this.  To provide some inspiration, we’re going to feature a few rockstar examples from our partner libraries:

Musser Public Library and the Terrebonne Parish Library System both featured Mango in their scrolling homepage slideshow.  Not only does this approach provide a visual “pop” that grabs patrons’ attention, it also allows the library to feature different events and resources on a timely basis.

Boyd County Public Library featured Mango on its homepage in their “Library News” section.  This approach not only increases awareness about the resource, but also provides patrons with the latest Mango news.  In this case, BCPL shared info about our new Social Media Feature and how patrons can earn badges by learning with Mango.  You can easily set up a News Section on your library’s website by linking the content to a blog or other RSS feed.  Ideas for Mango updates can be pulled from our monthly newsletter, blog, or from informational materials posted on the MAP.

Another fantastic and effective way to feature Mango on your homepage is to use one of our eye-catching banners, like Fountaindale Public Library did on their site:

All you need to do is log in to the MAP, visit the “Free Downloads” section under the “Promote” tab, and select “Web Banners” to see all the options we have available.  The banners come in all shapes and sizes, so you’re bound to find something that will work perfectly for your site!  Then just link the banner directly to your Mango landing page, providing patrons with a quick and easy way to access the courses.

We’d like to say a big, big thank you to Musser Public Library, Terrebonne Parish Library System, Boyd County Public Library, Fountaindale Public Library, and all the other libraries that have created awesome features for Mango on their website. Keep up the good work!

If your library would like ideas or guidance on creating a Mango feature for your homepage, please reach out to your Account Rep.  We’d be happy to help!

Thanks, Bedford Public Library.

In the early morning hours at Bedford Public Library, you shouldn’t be surprised if you hear chimes of “un, deux, trois” echoing from the meeting room.  In true Mango spirit, the staff decided to lead their morning exercises in French!  But this is just the first of many signs you’ll notice at BPL that they’re a Mango library.  Turn the corner, and you’ll see the beautiful Foreign Language display, complete with Mango signage and bookmarks:

Look up and you’ll see the Mango TV display, or to your side and you’ll see Mango featured in a digital picture frame:

In the computer lab, Mango is featured on the screensavers:

Come on the right day, and you may even experience a Mango party!

Best of all, the BPL staff are Mango advocates wherever they go – they even carry Mango cards with them!  According to Linda Davis, Reference Assistant at BPL, these cards came in handy at a local eatery after her co-worker discovered that the restaurant staff wanted to improve their English.  He handed out the cards and told them all about how they could access Mango for free at the library!

Bedford Public Library – we just want to say a big thank you, merci, and gracias for all your hard work and efforts!  We’re really inspired by your creativity and enthusiasm to promote Mango.  Keep on rocking!

This is the Year: Join Mango’s Language Resolution

Help your library patrons reach their goals!  Learning a new language consistently tops resolution lists each January, but now it’s September and your patrons only have a few months left before the end of the year.

You and your patrons can like and follow Mango for daily motivation and ideas on how to make the language-learning journey even more fun.  Download this poster to hang in your library and spread the word.

What’s in for your library?  Well, increased usage means that Mango will be a more cost-effective resource for you.  Not to mention, the prizes:

Each month, we’ll recognize the library with the best results based on user sessions. The winners will be entered in to a grand prize drawing at the end of the year for a $500 Mango party at their library and a slew of Mango prizes for library staff and patrons.

Spread the word: this is the year we learn a new language.

Mango Shows Love for Academic Clients

September is here, which means “back to school” season is in full swing.  We’re delighted to say more and more college and university libraries are using Mango – some to supplement a smaller language program, others to assist ESL or study abroad students, and many simply because Mango is a resource with broad appeal.  Mango benefits students, faculty, alumni, and campus organizations alike.  Check out the video below to learn more.

Ready to get your school started?  Click here to set up a free trial, sign up for an informational webinar, read case studies, and much more.