American Sign Language for Librarians

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American Sign Language (ASL) is an invaluable skill for library professionals.  A basic grasp of ASL enhances your ability to serve patrons and opens up a new world of possibilities for children’s programs. It’s also a marketable professional skill that can translate to public service jobs in the library world and beyond. 

In this three-course bundle, librarian and American Sign Language interpreter Kathy MacMillan will give you the skills you need not only to use basic American Sign Language but to understand the fundamental principles of working with the Deaf community. 

Courses included in this bundle are:

  1. American Sign Language for Library Staff: Level 1—6-week eCourse; begins Monday, August 4, 2025

This course will introduce basic 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 take approximately 5 hours to complete.

  1. American Sign Language for Library Staff: Level 2—6-week eCourse; begins Monday, October 6, 2025

Designed to provide more in-depth learning, practice, and feedback, 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.

  1. American Sign Language with Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide—6-week eCourse; begins Monday, January 5, 2026

American Sign Language is most commonly used in storytimes for babies, but the applications can go much further. In this 6-week eCourse, MacMillan explores the benefits of signing with all children.  In addition to learning basic ASL vocabulary appropriate for use with children in library and classroom settings, you will also learn to teach stories, songs, and other activities that incorporate ASL.

You can purchase registration for these eCourses individually or as a bundle.

By completing this eCourse bundle, participants will be able to:

  • Conduct a basic conversation relating to library resources and services in American Sign Language.
  • Describe Deaf Culture and how it differs from hearing culture.
  • Describe best practices for serving the Deaf community, including communication strategies, provision of accommodations, and relevant resources.
  • 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.
  • Create two storytime/classroom activities using the featured vocabulary that you can implement in your storytimes
  • Have a working knowledge of approximately 180 signs (introduced through video) 
  • Create storytime/classroom activities using the featured vocabulary that you can implement in your storytimes
  • Understand relevant aspects of child development and early literacy
  • Understand signing in a linguistic and cultural context

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.

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