Whether it’s in a marriage ceremony or a new product contract, saying those final I do’s can be a little intimidating for anyone. But if your public library is trying to commit to a language-learning solution, the last thing you need is unanswered questions on how to best fund it prior to taking the plunge.
Fortunately, funding a Mango subscription at your library doesn’t require any lengthy tithing discussion before tying the knot. Here are three steps to understanding how to fund Mango for your library.
Define the scope.
Similar to planning out seating charts for the wedding of the century, one of the first steps to funding a language subscription is figuring out who will be attending the Mango party.
If you want your patrons to have a full access ticket to Mango (why wouldn’t you?), you need to understand exactly how many future language-preneurs your library has. At Mango, we charge by the size of the population you’ll be serving, so it’s essential to know how many people come in and out of your library. Not sure about your scope or if our library subscription option is right for you? Our trusty Mangos behind the veil will be happy to help you here.
And once you sign on with Mango, you’ll be in the company of thousands of public libraries throughout the country, like our friends at the Orange County Public Library who have full access to the Mango software. This means that each and every one of their patrons has access to the software remotely, on top of a building, ANYWHERE [with IOS and Android].
Apply for grants.
If you’re a little low on funds, there are some simple ways to get the cash needed for a Mango subscription. Fortunately, there are tons of options and with a little bit of determination, you can easily find your grant made in Heaven. Grants reward your library for all of the amazing things you do on a daily basis, whether that be new initiatives or new offerings at your library. The best part? Not only does your library receive the recognition it so deserves, but it may also allow you to rake in the necessary funds to implement language learning.
Grants like the Teen Read Week Activity Grant provide funding for libraries that can demonstrate how reading can lead to cultural understanding in the community. For a library full of future language learners, there’s hakuna wakati kama sasa (or no time like the present in Swahili) to apply for this language-friendly grant. Who knows? It could be step one of a lifelong partnership with Mango.
For more on how to write a killer grant proposal, check out our recent blog post from the academic library sector. Even if you’re not in academia, there’s information that will pertain to you and your library.
Solo fundraising.
Grants aren’t the only way to marry your library with Mango. There are many options for your library to take part in fundraising in your local community, as well as call upon your local government for additional funds. Try reaching out to key stakeholders in your community including teachers, government officials, school board members and aldermen who may have a sway in securing you some extra funding. While there have been a few funding cuts in recent years, showing value to key stakeholders through all of your library’s unique programs is one way to get your case heard.
Reach out to the patrons who frequent your library the most to gauge their interest in making a donation. By throwing a fundraising event in your community, you will have the opportunity to get in front of the right people, as well as meet other language connoisseurs in your area. Take a look through our blog for some groovy ideas for events that can help you raise money.
With the right people on your side, your library will be one step closer to walking off into the sunset with Mango. For more information on Mango, take a look at our white paper: What a Modern Public Library Looks Like Today.
