Technically, 2025 was the year of the snake.
For us, it was the year of the librarian.
Every year we add new languages and courses to meet library patrons’ emerging needs and interests. We did plenty of that this year.
But this year, we paired every major platform update with a professional development event for library professionals. Library staff joined us from all over the world to explore topics including:
So let’s explore what’s new for patrons & library staff. And what’s next for 2026.
Of the 140 languages in Transparent Language Online, English continues to be the most learned by library patrons. So we expanded the collection to support more learners.
New ESOL Materials❗Canadian English for Newcomers is coming in early 2026.
❗A Spanish version of the course is coming in early 2026.
Learning English doesn’t happen solely on an app. So, to help library staff better support their English learners beyond our platform, we launched a panel discussion series.
598 library professionals joined us this year to get advice from their peers about hosting English Conversation Clubs and running US Citizenship classes.
Stay tuned for invites to our 2026 panel events. (If you want to get on the invite list, download our ELL Programs Guide. You’ll get 50 pages of free advice from your peers running cool English programs and invites to upcoming events.)
Another way library staff can support their ELL patrons? Learn a bit of their language.
Luckily, we know a thing or two about that.
In January, we piloted our first ever 4-week Spanish for Librarians class.
A blend of self-guided lessons in Transparent Language Online and small group classes with a Spanish teacher. Completely free.
The first Spanish for Librarians class went so well we ran 18 more, reaching 68 library professionals. Don’t take our word for it though. Here’s what students had to say:
❗Spanish classes resume in February, so get on the wait list if you’re interested.
Get on the wait list for the free 4-week Spanish class for library professionals!
Added only a few years ago, American Sign Language is also a top 5 most-learned language among library patrons. So we thought it was time to expand this collection too.
Created by the experts at Signing Savvy (who created our Beginner ASL course for adults), this new ASL for Babies & Children Course is made for parents, teachers, and caretakers who want to learn to sign with a child—whether they’re Deaf or hearing.
The lessons emphasize natural, everyday situations, from play time to potty time, so you can incorporate ASL into the moments you’re already sharing.
Supporting Deaf patrons goes beyond ASL. It goes beyond even the Deaf patrons.
In September, we celebrated Deaf Awareness Month by helping library staff celebrate Deaf culture with their entire communities.
303 library professionals joined us for a discussion with the experts at Signing Savvy to explore ideas for supporting Deaf patrons and promoting Deaf culture at your library.
Attendees also got a copy of a free Deaf Culture Outreach Guide with recommended books, resources, and programming ideas to promote Deaf culture at your library.
Thanks to our partnership with 7000 Languages, patrons can explore more than 40 Indigenous languages in Transparent Language Online.
This year we added four new Indigenous languages, spoken in every corner of North America:
Patrons of Caribbean descent can explore the language of their ancestors with the world’s first online Taíno course. Once thought extinct, there are actually 16+ million descendants living in the US today.
The course creator, Priscilla Colón, joined us for a live event to discuss how libraries can play a role in amplifying Indigenous voices. That includes Indigenous book recommendations, seed library tie-ins, and Indigenous-focused events.
Lest you think all we did this year was add new languages and courses, your library patrons can now:
To keep up with all these updates in Transparent Language Online, subscribing libraries were invited to more than a dozen library staff training webinars throughout the year.
And you can always keep up with the updates and get marketing ideas on a monthly basis with the monthly marketing newsletter! It’ll be the best way to hear about the many exciting updates coming in 2026. There’s a lot to look forward to.
On that note, thank you for another incredible year (and another MLA Platinum Award, nbd). Happy new year and as always, happy learning.
Transparent Language Online gives your patrons access to courses in 140+ languages, including ESL, ASL, and Indigenous languages. Flexible courses let patrons learn what they want, when they want so they're ready to use the language in the real world.
