Registration now open for these popular ALA eCourses for Librarians and Educators!

Text reads: Ecourse: American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 1, Ecourse: American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 2, Ecourse: American Sign Language for Children in Storytime or the Classroom. With Kathy MacMillan. At the top, a brown-skinned man signs THANK-YOU in American Sign Language. At the bottom, a close-up photo of a light-skinned woman’s hands signing COLLABORATE in American Sign Language.

Registration is now open for upcoming sessions of my popular eCourses through the American Library Association!

Upcoming sessions:

American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 1: 6-week ecourse begins May 4, 2026: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.

American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 2: 6-week ecourse begins July 6, 2026: 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.

American Sign Language with Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide: 6-week ecourse begins October 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.

Purchase all 3 courses as a bundle and save 20%!

All eCourses are asynchronous, meaning that you can work at your own pace, and use a combination of videos, readings, discussion forums, and interactive projects.


Past attendees say:

“This course has been invaluable to me. I have spent countless hours reviewing all of the videos, re-reading the lessons, and just generally trying to absorb as much knowledge as I could. The instructor was a gem in the way that she provided comprehensive answers to questions, feedback, tips and resources.”

“While I had taken ASL many years ago, this class has expanded my vocabulary and boosted my confidence in my abilities. I think it helped that this class specifically addressed situations I might encounter here at work.”

“This class was interesting, informative, and entertaining. It opened my eyes to a variety of ideas and concepts that can only make me a better librarian as well as a better person. I thought things were well organized and presented in an ordered and logical fashion, each lesson building on the one before.”

“One of the most well-organized and rewarding professional development courses I’ve taken.”

“Kathy is an amazing instructor. She made learning online very easy and comfortable. She replied quickly when students had questions and she responded with feedback with videos to help sign better.”

“I am amazed. It couldn’t have gone better. I came away learning many signs I can use and gained some helpful information for my storytimes.”

“The instructor was phenomenal, and I am already incorporating coursework into everyday interactions in the library. Everything in the course is relevant and beneficial.”

Register now!

Free Resources for Read Captions Across America Day

March 2 is Read Across America Day – and it’s also Read Captions Across America Day!

Read Captions Across America poster. Cartoon drawing of five children wearing top hats with red and white stripes. One is holding a tablet with captions enabled.

Led by the Described and Captioned Media Program, Read Captions Across America (RCAA) is held in conjunction with the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America event every year on or around March 2.

The purpose of Read Captions Across America is to raise awareness—particularly among children and their parents and teachers—that video-based media can be just as effective at encouraging and fostering reading skills as books, as long as captions are always turned on!

Captions aren’t just for deaf and hard-of-hearing people! Studies show that captions benefit almost everyone, including beginning readers, people with learning disabilities, and English language learners! 

Get your FREE Read Captions Across America toolkit, including activity ideas, posters, bookmarks, and certificates here.


Celebrate Read Captions Across America Day with these captioned storytimes with Kathy MacMillan!

The Runaway Shirt Storytime with Kathy MacMillan and art demo with Julia Castaño

Nita’s First Signs/Nita’s Day Storytime with Kathy MacMillan

Nita’s Food Signs Storytime with Kathy MacMillan

Get Ready for World Read Aloud Day!

World Read Aloud Day is an annual celebration of sharing stories organized by LitWorld. This year’s World Read Aloud Day will be Wednesday, February 4, 2026.Many authors and illustrators volunteer to provide quick virtual read-aloud visits with classrooms around the world to share the joy of stories, and many also provide video resources for you to share with the children in your life. Read on for more resources to help you celebrate World Read Aloud Day!

English and ASL Video Storytimes from Kathy MacMillan for World Read Aloud Day (or anytime!)

 

Continue reading Get Ready for World Read Aloud Day!