Friends of the Middleboro Public Library save language database with donation

MIDDLEBORO — The Friends of the Middleboro Public Library presented a $2,000 check to the town Monday, Aug. 4, to cover the cost of a language learning database used by students and lost due to federal funding cuts.

“A recent article in the Nemasket Week highlighted the impact that cuts at the federal level are having on our community and specifically talked about a database known as Transparent Language Online, or T.L.O.,” said Tony Freitas, treasurer of the Friends.

The program allows students studying English or a foreign language to compare their speech with that of a native speaker and offers tools to support their learning.

“Donna Philips, librarian at Middleboro High School, was quoted as saying there is ‘nothing to fill the gap’ for a database like Transparent Language Online,” Freitas said.

At the June 23 meeting of the Board of Library Trustees, members identified that the subscription could be procured by the library for $1,600. 

The database will serve not only students at Middleboro High School but also homeschoolers and any library cardholder looking to learn a new language.

If the $2,000 does not fully cover the subscription cost, the nonprofit has requested to be notified so it can provide additional funds. If there are excess funds, the Friends asked that they be used to market the resource to the community.

“We look forward to filling the gap for the students of Middleborough High School and opening up opportunities for homeschoolers and residents,” Freitas said.