A Deep Dive on Publishing for Library Staff

American Sign Language, eCourses and Webinars, Professional Development, Resources for Teachers and Librarians, Sign the Seasons series, webinars
Graphic shows a bookshelf full of colorful books. Text reads: The Librarian’s Guide to Publishing, Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 2-4 PM Eastern/1-3 PM Central/12-2 PM Mountain/11 AM-1 PM Pacific. Includes recording access. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, librarian & author of more than 2 dozen books for kids, teens, & adults. StoriesByhand.com/webinars.

The Librarian’s Guide to Publishing

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 2-3 PM Eastern/1-2 PM Central/12-1 PM Mountain/11 AM-Wednesday, September 30, 2026

2-4 PM Eastern/1-3 PM Central/12-1 PM Mountain/11 AM-1 PM Pacific

Online session via Zoom (2-hour webinar).

Includes recording access through October 31, 2026.

Aspiring authors need information – whether they are our patrons or ourselves! Kathy MacMillan, editor at Bushel & Peck Books and author of more than two dozen traditionally published fiction and nonfiction books for children, teens, and adults, and many articles, breaks down the bewildering world of publishing, from writing and revision to submission and publication and the realities of life after publication. Whether you want to publish professional articles, resource guides, educational content, or mainstream fiction or nonfiction—or just better serve your patrons who do—let’s get you started on your publishing journey!

Certificate of completion available upon request with successful completion of post-test.

Pricing:

Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more information.

Individual: $80 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live event)

REGISTER NOW

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Little Hands Signing Storytimes at the Connie Morella Library

American Sign Language, Little Hands Signing series, Sign the Seasons series, storytimes, Upcoming events

A photo of Kathy MacMillan, a smiling White woman with brown hair and glasses, appears on the right. Kathy is peeking out from behind a tree and signing I-LOVE-YOU. Covers of her books appear below. Text reads: Little Hands Signing. Read, play, sing, and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary with Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing and Sign the Seasons series! Sundays, September 13, 20, 27. 2:00 PM. MCPL, Connie Morella Library, Bethesda, MD.

Little Hands Signing

Read, play, sing and learn basic American Sign Language vocabulary with Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series, the Sign the Seasons series, and Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together.

All sessions held at the Connie Morella Library, Bethesda, MD.

This program is for children of all ages with an adult and is presented in collaboration with the Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library.

  • Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 PM: First Signs
  • Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 PM: Autumn Signs
  • Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM: Food Signs

 

All upcoming events.

Check out the Deaf Creator Collective!

American Sign Language, Resources for Teachers and Librarians

Screen shot of the Deaf Creators Collective homepage at https://www.marylanddcdl.org/deaf-content-creators-2/

The Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library has just introduced a fantastic resource for libraries, schools, camps, and businesses! The Deaf Creator Collective is a searchable database of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and CODA creators for events, projects, programs, and partnerships. The database includes artists, educators, performers, advocates, entrepreneurs, STEMists, and other creative professionals, and it’s easy to search by industry or location.

Browse or search the Deaf Creator Collective database.

Deaf creators can apply here.

Find more great resources from the Maryland Deaf Culture Digital Library here.

 

Register now for Signing with Children ecourse!

American Sign Language, eCourses and Webinars, Resources for Teachers and Librarians
Orange flowered background with the words American Sign Language with Children in Storytime ofr the Classroom

American Sign Language with Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide

6-lesson eCourse; begins Monday, 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.

Continue reading Register now for Signing with Children ecourse! →

Register now for Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff and get 20% off!

American Sign Language, eCourses and Webinars, Professional Development, Resources for Teachers and Librarians, Upcoming events, webinars
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, September 9 to October 14, 2026. 12-1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10-11 AM Mountain/9-10 AM Pacific | Intermediate: Wednesdays, October 21 to November 25, 2026, 12-1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10-11 AM Mountain/9-10 AM Pacific | StoriesByHand.com/webinars | Words appear over a drawing of upraised hands in bright pastel colors against a white background.

Get 20% off either series with coupon code AUTUMN

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

Wednesdays, September 9 to October 14, 2026. 12-1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10-11 AM Mountain/9-10 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through November 15, 2026.

Learn how to improve your service to deaf patrons in this interactive series. We’ll cover basic information about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, as well as specific vocabulary for the library setting. Each session will build on those before it to reinforce your knowledge and expand your ability to communicate with members of the Deaf community, and you’ll get plenty of interactive signing practice! Certificate of completion available with successful completion of post-test.

  • Individual: 270.00 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live series ends)
  • Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more information.
Register now for Beginner series

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

Wednesdays, October 21 to November 25, 2026, 12-1 PM Eastern/11 AM-12 PM Central/10-11 AM Mountain/9-10 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through December 26, 2026.

Build your American Sign Language skills for library settings in this interactive series. This series is appropriate for those who have taken Hands Up!: Live ASL Practice for Library Staff (Beginner), or the ASL for Library Staff eCourses through the American Library Association, or anyone who already knows some library vocabulary in ASL and wishes to polish their skills. Join us to reinforce your library signing skills and increase your confidence in your ability to communicate with members of the Deaf community. Certificate of completion available with successful completion of post-test.

  • Individual: 270.00 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live series ends)
  • Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact info@storiesbyhand.com for more information.
Register now for Intermediate series

See all upcoming webinars.