Category Archives: Resources for Educators and Librarians

Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner) begins June 7! Register now!

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Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff | Interactive webinar series presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. | Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner) Wednesdays, June 7-July 19, 2023 (no class July 5) 3 PM-4 PM Eastern/2 PM-3 PM Central/1 PM-2 PM Mountain/12 PM-1 PM Pacific| StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)

Wednesdays, June 7-July 19, 2023 (no class July 5) from 3 PM-4 PM Eastern/2 PM-3 PM Central/1 PM-2 PM Mountain/12 PM-1 PM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through August 20, 2023.

Learn and practice American Sign Language for library settings in this interactive series.

  • Individual: $240. Save 20% with code READANDSIGN.
  • Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-beginner-registration-602781193777 

See all upcoming webinars from Stories By Hand.

Add some ASL to your summer storytimes!

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Illustrations of a sun, watermelon, beach ball, sunglasses, beach umbrella, and flip-flops appear against a green background. Text reads: Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Summer Signs. Wednesday, May 31, 2023, 2-3 PM Eastern. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. Register at StoriesByHand.com/webinars

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Signs (1 hour webinar)

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for 30 days.

Learn basic American Sign Language for summer storytimes in this interactive online session!

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates and direct invoicing available; contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more info.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-summer-signs-registration-482665273827

 

 

Hands up! Let’s sign! It’s almost summer reading time!

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A colorful banner adorns the top of the page. At the bottom of the page, an illustration shows six people of different ages and races dancing in a line. Text reads: Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Reading Special. Learn signs for storytimes about friends and togetherness! Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 12 PM -1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10 AM-11 AM Mountain/9 AM-10 AM Pacific. Register at StoriesByHand.com/webinars.

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Summer Reading Special (1 hour webinar)

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 12 PM -1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10 AM-11 AM Mountain/9 AM-10 AM Pacific.

Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though June 24, 2023.

In this interactive session, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for friends and togetherness, to go with the Collaborative Summer Library program theme, All Together Now: Todos Juntos Ahora.

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code SUMMER at the top of the ticket form! Group rates and direct invoicing available; contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more info.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-summer-reading-special-registration-461915841717

Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Review Series) begins May 17!

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Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff | Interactive webinar series presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. | Review Series - 6 weeks (for those who have completed the Beginner & Intermediate Hands Up! series OR ALA ecourses): Wednesdays, May 17-June 21, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific | StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Hands Up! Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Review Series)

Wednesdays, May 17-June 21, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific. Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week)

Review and practice your ASL for the library setting in these interactive sessions! This series will focus on review and deep practice of vocabulary and concepts introduced in the Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff Beginner and Intermediate series and in the ALA eCourse ASL for Library Staff, level 1. Recording access will be available through 30 days after the final session.

  • Individual: $240. Save 20% with code READANDSIGN.
  • Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-review-series-registration-486847412717

 

Book now for Summer and Autumn 2023!

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The Stories By Hand calendar is filling up! Book your 2023 programs, workshops, and webinars now!

High-energy interactive storytelling programs for all ages that teach basic American Sign Language – indoor, outdoor, and online programs available for libraries, schools, childcare centers, camps, and community groups.

Workshops for library staff, educators, writers, and parents – in-person and online workshops available.

Availability calendar – always up-to-date!  Check your preferred dates now.

Complete booking details – click here for complete rates and policies.

 

Featured program for Summer Reading 2023:

A white woman with brown hair and glasses smiles at a white child with blond hair. They are both signing I-LOVE-YOU in American Sign Language, and pressing the signs against one another. Text reads: Book now for Summer 2023: Let’s Sign Together! Indoor, outdoor, and online programs available for all ages. Share stories, songs, and rhymes and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary about love and friendship as we celebrate our connections with one another. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together. More info at StoriesByHand.com/SummerReading

The Collaborative Summer Reading Theme for 2023 is: All Together Now : Todos Juntos Ahora (Kindness/Friendship/Unity).

Stories by Hand has you covered with a high-energy, interactive program for multiple age groups:

Let’s Sign Together!

Share stories, songs, and rhymes and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary about love and friendship as we celebrate our connections with one another. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together. 

Interested in a different program theme? Check out all Stories By Hand program offerings here.

 

 

 

 

Recommended Reading: UNRAVEL by Amelia Loken

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UnravelUnravel by Amelia Loken

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Marguerite knows her uncle doesn’t like her. True, she’s in line for the throne before him and he contends she’s too deaf to rule, but she’s known since he broke her hand to keep her from using sign language. Now, as the kingdom’s Bishop-Princep, Uncle Reichard has declared war on magic and Marguerite must hide the fact that she’s a witch. While witnessing her first witch trial, Marguerite rescues a child from death with the help of a handsome, itinerant acrobat, Tys. Marguerite flees, hiding in the neighboring empire where magical gifts can flourish. Before her training is complete, war threatens. She returns home, only to witness her uncle seizing the throne. He isolates and imprisons her. Marguerite’s love for her people drives her to continue defying him. But to challenge him means she’ll have to rely on her homemade invisibility cloak, questionable allies, and Tys, the one boy she never should have trusted.

This beautifully-written novel full of adventure, magic, and romance grabbed hold of my heart and never let go! Marguerite is a compassionate and resourceful heroine who knows who she is even when the world tries to define that for her. I never knew how much I needed a story about textile magic until I read this book! The author wove her own experience as a deaf/hard-of-hearing individual and ASL interpreter into Marguerite’s story, and the results are a gorgeous tapestry of political intrigue, swordplay, romance, and feminist magic.

UNRAVEL is out now.

View all my reviews

Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner) starts March 29!

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Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff | Interactive webinar series presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. | Beginner: Wednesdays, March 29-May 3, 2023 from 1 PM-2 PM Eastern/ 12 PM-1 PM Central/11 AM-12 PM Mountain/10 AM-11 AM Pacific | StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner)

Wednesdays, March 29-May 3, 2023 from 1 PM-2 PM Eastern/ 12 PM-1 PM Central/ 11 AM-12 PM Mountain/10 AM-11 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through June 4, 2023.

Learn and practice American Sign Language for library settings in this interactive series.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-beginner-registration-461172157337

All upcoming webinars

FAQ: eCourses and Webinars

Add some ASL to your springtime storytimes!

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Pink and white flowers appear above the text: Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Spring Signs. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 11 AM-12 PM Eastern. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, MLS. Register at StoriesByHand.com/webinars

Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Spring Signs (1 hour webinar)

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11 AM Eastern/10 AM Central/9 AM Mountain/8 AM Pacific

Online session via Zoom (1 hour webinar). Includes recording access for though April 30, 2023.

Learn basic American Sign Language for spring storytimes in this interactive online session!

Individual: $40. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form! Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-hands-signing-professional-development-spring-signs-registration-461545303427

All upcoming webinars

FAQ: eCourses and Webinars

Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Intermediate) starts in 1 week!

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Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff | Interactive webinar series presented by Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S. | Intermediate: Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific | StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Hands Up: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Intermediate)

Tuesdays, March 21 to April 25, 2023 from 11 AM-12 PM Eastern/ 10 AM-11 AM Central/ 9 AM-10 AM Mountain/8 AM-9 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through May 26, 2023.

Practice and gain confidence in your American Sign Language skills for library settings in this interactive series.

Individual: $240. Get 20% off individual registration when you enter promo code READANDSIGN at the top of the ticket form. Discounted group rates and direct invoicing available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for details.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-live-asl-practice-for-library-staff-intermediate-registration-441394271147

See all upcoming webinars open for registration.

FAQ: eCourses and Webinars

2-part webinar from ALA: Serving Deaf Patrons in the Library

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On the left, an illustration shows a white, blonde woman signing THANK-YOU in American Sign Language. On the right, a photo shows a white woman with glasses and light brown hair smiles into the camera. Text reads: Workshop: Serving Deaf Patrons in the Library with Kathy MacMillan. ALA Editions 2-part Webinar. Wed, March 22 & Thurs, March 23, 2023, 1:30-3 PM Central time. Register at tinyurl.com/servingdeaf

Serving Deaf Patrons in the Library
A two-part webinar series taking place on Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 2:30pm Eastern/1:30pm Central/12:30pm Mountain/11:30am Pacific.

Library services are for everyone, and that includes the deaf community. In this workshop, Kathy MacMillan, librarian and certified American Sign Language interpreter, guides you in making your library a more welcoming place for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. You will gain an understanding of Deaf culture, learn library-related signs, and become prepared to confidently work with interpreters for your programs.

After participating in this workshop, you will have:

  • An understanding of how to meet your library’s legal obligation to serve deaf and hard of hearing patrons
  • Strategies for communicating with a deaf or hard of hearing person in the library
  • Video demonstrations and handouts for library-related signs, accessible for practice after the workshop
  • Tips for finding, hiring, and working with sign language interpreters
  • Knowledge of varieties of communication among deaf and hard of hearing people

Kathy MacMillan (she/her) is a writer, nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and signing storyteller. She has worked in school and public libraries for over 25 years. She writes fiction and nonfiction for children, teens, and adults, including the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press and the Storytime Magic series from ALA Editions. She lives in Baltimore, MD. Find her online at KathyMacMillan.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @kathys_quill.

Register now!