All posts by kathymacmillan

Register now for Serving Deaf Patrons in the Library

American Sign Language, eCourses and Webinars, Professional Development, Resources for Teachers and Librarians, Upcoming events, webinars

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. Mon, Jan 26 & Wed Jan 28, 2026, 1:30-3 PM Central time. Register at tinyurl.com/servingdeaf

Serving Deaf Patrons in the Library

A two-part webinar series from ALA eLearning taking place on Monday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 28, 2026 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.

Find out more and register!

Read This!: DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT by Brittany Richman and Alisha Monnin

Authors You Should Know, Read This, Recommended Reading, ,

Dreams Take Flight: The Story of Deaf Pilot Nellie Zabel Willhite (Own Voices, Own Stories)Dreams Take Flight: The Story of Deaf Pilot Nellie Zabel Willhite by Brittany Richman and Alisha Monnin
Summary: After losing her hearing at four and following a tumultuous education, Nellie Zabel was introduced to the world of flight while working at the Sioux Falls airport. The planes and pilots captured her imagination as she watched them sail alongside the birds. With some encouragement, she enrolled in pilot training–carefully tailoring the courses to accommodate her deafness. In 1928, she took off on her own, becoming the first female pilot in South Dakota–and the first deaf pilot in the nation.

This lovely nonfiction picture book tells the true story of Nellie Zabel Willhite, who became the first licensed deaf pilot in the US. The world was far from accommodating when she was growing up as a deaf child in the early 1900s, but with a combination of her own persistence and the support of caring adults, she got an education and found a job. But when she finally took the flying lessons she had been dreaming of, her life took off. This story features an inspiring woman at its center, but it is also a great discussion-starter about intersectional identities and the various barriers that marginalized people throughout history have faced.

DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT is out now.

View all my reviews

Read This!: OCTO, PI AND THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE by Sarah McDavis

Read This, Recommended Reading

Octo, PI and the Mysterious Voice (Zar&r Mysteries)Octo, PI and the Mysterious Voice by Sarah McDavis
Summary: All was quiet at the ZAR&R for Octo, PI and her team. Then came the mysterious voice that shut down the nocturnal comedy night! Octo likes facts that stick and she sets out to uncover who the voice belongs to. It isn’t a ghost because ghosts don’t exist. She hopes. Along the way, Octo has to conquer her own fear while helping a pirate with their lost treasure, keeping an eye on the Ghost Hunters’s show host, and solving the case before residents start to panic!

Octo, PI is back for another adventure, along with trusty sidekicks Tank the chameleon and junior investigator Lightning the hummingbird. This time, there’s a creepy voice (maybe a ghost?) scaring animals at night. Octo has to get to the bottom of it, or else animals might be too scared to come to the ZAR&R for the help they need. By following the clues, gathering evidence, and questioning witnesses, Octo gets to the bottom of not one but two mysteries, and makes friends with a feathered pirate to boot. With a delicious combination of silly antics and real-life animal info, McDavis brings the characters to life through accessible text and humorous illustrative touches. Chapter book readers will be clamoring for Octo, PI’s next adventure!

Read my review of the first book in the series.

View all my reviews.