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ESOL & Citizenship: Library Databases

Library Databases

The boxes below link to online library resources where you can learn a new language, take video courses, and find academic articles. You will need your Manatee Library card number and 4-digit PIN to access these resources.

Click the Instructions tab in each box for usage instructions for that database. Some boxes also include printable PDF instructions and/or video instructions.

Mango Languages

Getting Started with the App

  • From the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android), search for the free Mango Languages Learning app and install the app onto your device.
  • Open the app and tap the Start Learning button. If you already have an account with Mango, you may tap Log In at the bottom of the screen and enter your login information.
  • Pick a language by scrolling through the list or search for a language using the search bar.
  • After a short tutorial, you will be able to preview the app.
  • From the Lesson Overview screen, click Skip to Signup to create an account immediately, or click Continue to preview the first lesson.
  • You will eventually be prompted to create a free account, which you may link your library card to for full access to all courses and lessons. To access all of Mango Languages with a guest account, you will need to access Mango Languages through a browser (see the Browser Instructions tab for more information).

Linking Your Library Card for Full Access

  • To get full access to all courses and lessons with your Manatee County Library Card, begin by clicking the Menu button (three horizontal lines) in the right hand corner.
  • Tap Unlock More Lessons.
  • On the next screen, tap Search in the Find Free Mango box. Search for the Manatee County Public Library by name or using your local postal code.
  • Tap on Manatee County Public Library System in the search, then enter your library card number from the back of your card if prompted.
  • Tap Done or Go on the keyboard.
  • If you entered your library card number correctly it will say Success! Tap Continue to access all courses and lessons.

Getting Started from a Browser

  • From a web browser, go to the Manatee Library's website at www.mymanatee.org/library.
  • Click on the Research and Learning button, then click the Learn a Language button.
  • It is recommended that you click Sign Up to create a Mango Languages account that allows you to save your progress, but you may also click Use Mango as a Guest if you do not wish to create an account.

Linking Library Card for Full Access

  • If you chose to create a Mango Languages account, you can get full access to all courses and lessons from the Subscribe to Mango screen by clicking the Search button in the Find Free Mango box.
  • Search for the Manatee County Public Library System by name or by using your local postal code. Click on Manatee County Public Library System in the search results, then enter your library card number from the back of your card when prompted. Click Connect to link your library card for full access.
  • If you do not see the Find Free Mango box, click the Menu button (three horizontal lines) in the right hand corner and then click Organizations to add your library.
  • Once you see a box on the bottom of your screen that says Brought to you by: Manatee County Public Library, you should have full access to Mango Language courses and lessons.

LinkedIn Learning

Searching for Courses

  • Type a subject into the search bar at the top of the page (to get the search bar in the app, tap the magnifying glass), OR
  • Select Content on the left side of the page. Topics are organized into four main categories: Business, Technology, Creative, and Certifications. Each category contains sub-topics, software skills, and learning paths. Choose a sub-topic to explore available courses.

Taking Courses

  • To save a video for later, select the Save button to the right of the video. Courses you save for later can be found under My Library.
  • Select a course to go to the page for that lesson.

LinkedIn Learning Course Screenshot

  • Courses can be downloaded in the app to view offline. Select the Download Course button below the video player to download the entire course or use the download button Download icon next to an individual video in the table of contents to only download that part.
  • Beneath the video player, you will find an overview of the lesson, a notebook where you can take and save notes, and a transcript for those who prefer to read the lesson. The video player also includes a closed caption button for subtitles.

LinkedIn Learning Course Overview screenshot

  • Some courses include exercise files the instructor uses to teach the course. Under the video, in the Overview tab, select Show all next to Exercise Files to download these files.

LinkedIn Learning Exercises Screenshot

  • Once downloaded, unzip the folder by right-clicking and selecting either “Open” or “Extract All”. Many of these files will require the software application used to create them to run (for example, to use exercise files about Photoshop, you must have Photoshop installed on your computer). Software is not included in LinkedIn Learning.

Course Certificates

  • After completing a course, you may earn a certificate. These can be viewed on the lesson page, under the Overview tab. Choose Show all next to Certificates and click LinkedIn Learning Certificate. Next, choose Download PDF.
  • You can also download certificates from the My Learning button, under the Learning History tab. Select the 3-dots menu icon Three dots menu icon to the right of a course you’ve completed and then select Download Certificate.

Educator's Reference Complete (Gale)

Using Educator's Reference Complete:

  • Begin by 1) typing in your query in the Search field, 2) choosing Advanced Search for more search options, or 3) using the Topic Finder, Subject Guide Search, or Publication Search buttons on the homepage. The Publication Search includes a browsable list of all the publications found in the database.

Basic search bar and link to advanced search

  • Select an article. Each article page provides publication information at the top. Click the Listen button Listen button to listen to an audio version of the article or download the mp3 recording. The explore column shows you more content related to the article you are viewing.
  • The Cite button Cite button allows you to create a citation for the article in multiple citation styles. The Highlights and Notes button allows you to make annotations within an article.
  • You may email, download, and print a pdf of the article, as well as upload it to your Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. Sharing buttons for Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, email, download, and print

Example of an article page