Milford Library benefits from Perdue funding

A grant from the Perdue Foundation could help children and adults learn a new language

Milford Public Library recently received $2,916 from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to support access to Mango Languages, a language-training database, that provides over 70 language course.

“We see a huge need and a real interest in learning different languages from library users,” Sarah Yatuzis, Assistant Library Director, said. “We partner with Polytech, La Esperanza and the Lutheran Church of Our Savior to provide English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) courses to many Spanish-speaking community members, many who work at Perdue.”

Yatuzis stated that even with the partnerships, ESL classes at the library are full and require waiting lists. Mango Languages is a free resource and available to anyone with a library card. Since the database is online, it is always open and accessible, even using a smartphone.

The most common request for ESL classes is Spanish, followed by English, Japanese and Italian. English language learners can set their preferred instruction language as needed, such as choosing Spanish or Creole.

“Mango is one of the better language resources on the market,” Yatuzis said. “Teachers are native speakers and engage users in real-life conversations within a cultural context. It’s a lot different than the high school Spanish class you remember.”

The funding is necessary as the library has a small operating budget.

“We wouldn’t be able to provide this resource without funding provided by the Perdue Foundation Grant,” Lea Rosell, Director of the library, said. “We’re very grateful for the support of the foundation.

For more information or to try the resource, visit the Milford Public Library website and click on the Mango logo on the upper-right corner.