American Sign Language for Library Staff: Level 2

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Level up your knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) along with your library’s services to deaf and hard of hearing library users. Designed to provide more in-depth learning, practice, and feedback for those who have completed American Sign Language for Library Staff Level 1, this course will use readings, multimedia resources, online discussion boards, and hands-on assignments to introduce more ASL vocabulary, grammar, and culture topics relevant to the library setting. Instructor Kathy MacMillan is a librarian and ASL interpreter and will provide individualized feedback via a video project customized to your learning goals.

This 6-week, asynchronous online course will introduce more American Sign Language vocabulary and grammar appropriate for use in a library setting and place that information within a linguistic and cultural context to aid participants in improving library services to patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Each week will focus on a different aspect of library services and will take approximately 5 hours to complete.

Please note that this eCourse can also be purchased as part of the American Sign Language for Librarians eCourse Bundle.

ALA Continuing Education eCourses on learning American Sign Language focus on library-specific vocabulary and Deaf Culture topics. Even if you have taken a conversational ASL course elsewhere, we recommend that you begin with American Sign Language for Library Staff Level 1 (called Basic American Sign Language for Library Staff in past iterations), as it covers library-specific vocabulary not usually taught in community ASL courses.

After completing this eCourse, participants will be able to:

  • Demonstrate more advanced vocabulary relating to library resources and services in American Sign Language.
  • Create and post video captions.
  • Identify and effectively disseminate quality resources for deaf and hard of hearing patrons.
  • Discuss major topics relating to Deaf culture and history, including Deaf Culture art and storytelling, the fetishization of ASL, and intersectionality in the Deaf community.

About the Instructor

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.

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.

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