Check This Out: Mango Languages and CustomGuide

Your library card gives you access to a world of possibilities at Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). In addition to a wide selection of physical and digital items you can check out, you also have access to a variety of online resources and databases. This month, take a closer look at Mango Languages and CustomGuide.

You will need a library card that starts with a 4 to access some of the resources on this page outside of a Library location.

Mango Languages

If you plan to travel out of country, are studying a language on your own or as a class, or want stronger English language skills, give yourself a boost with lessons from Mango Languages. This handy tool offers a selection of 70 languages to choose from, including English as a Second Language options for speakers of 21 different languages.

Work your way through micro lessons where you can hear and practice new vocabulary and grammar patterns. Lessons also include notes on grammar and culture in between vocabulary exercises to help you learn your new language.

With daily reviews, lesson recaps, and reading and listening challenges, this platform is designed to help you retain more of what you learn.

CustomGuide

Choose from a wide selection of online courses to help you further develop your professional skills. CustomGuide (formerly Learn on Demand) takes a more active approach to your skills development through interactive lessons instead of training videos for stronger learning results. 

• If you are a first-time user, you will need to create an account to get started. From there, you can complete short online courses related to:
• Business Skills (accounts and financing, communication, and professional development)
• Career Development (job hunting, personal branding, career coaching, and more)
• Compliance & Safety (drugs and alcohol, Human Resources compliance, cybersecurity, and more)
• Customer Service  
• Diversity & Inclusion (bias awareness, diversity basics, and diversity leadership)
• Google (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Meet, and more)
• Human Resources
• Leadership & Management  
• Microsoft (Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and more)
• Sales & Marketing
• Technology (computer basics, Mac, and software)
• Training (authoring software, instructional design, and training trainers)
• Wellness (mental health, personal growth, work-life balance, and more)

Before you start a course, you can view how long it will take to complete. Do not be put off if it says it will take an hour or more to finish. Each course is broken down into a series of short lessons that you can start and stop at any time. Do a quick lesson while you wait for your toast to pop up in the morning or any time you find a few minutes of downtime.

When you click on a course, you will see a preview of what you will learn in each lesson. Each has a pre-assessment where you can test yourself on what you already know, an interactive lesson, and a post-assessment for you to test what you learned. With no time limits and the flexibility to start and stop whenever you want, you will learn at your own pace.