Skip to Main Content
   
East Los Angeles College Library logo with an image of a husky    
     

Modern Languages Research Guide

Difference Between College and Public Libraries

Illustration of a Library

Most libraries offer physical materials, electronic resources and some type of professional guidance for its patrons. 

The East Los Angeles College Library, and other college or academic libraries, makes resources and services available to students and faculty. They have more scholarly and academic-focused materials and resources available, along with librarians who often have subject specialties.

Public libraries make resources and services available to the general public who live within their service area. They have more popular and general interest materials and resources available, along with library staff. 

Both your college library and the public library are available for you to use, and they both offer resources that are free to you for academic, work, or personal use. 

This guide will focus on resources available through the LA County Library and Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL), but you should sign up for a library card with other library systems as they can allow you more and different access to resources, and supporting your local library is always a good thing!

Get a Library Card

To access most of the materials, resources and services offered by different libraries, you will need an account. At your college library, access is available with your student ID. At a public library, you will need a library card. Both LA County Library and LAPL offer digital library accounts and full access library cards.

Language Learning

Scroll down LA County Library's Online Learning webpage and you'll find access to Mango Languages. Mango offers self-paced learning for over 70 languages. A library card and PIN number will be required. Mango Languages has an app that can be downloaded to a mobile device so you can practice a language on the go and on your own schedule. 

Also on the Online Learning webpage, you'll find links to access these other language learning resources (These resources require your library card and PIN, too):

  • Gale Courses: Under Browse Catalog > Select Language & Arts > Languages. You'll find different courses in Spanish, French, Italian and ESL skills. 
  • Brainfuse: Expert Help > Language Lab. You'll have access to a live language tutor in French, Mandarin or Spanish and Vocabulary Builder tools. 

LAPL has several Language Learning & ESL resources available, including Mango Languages and Transparent Language. A library card and PIN are required to access these resources. 

Find a Public Library

LA County Library serves Los Angeles County.

Locations near ELAC:

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) serves the City of Los Angeles.

Locations near ELAC: