Category Archives: Professional Development

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, Dec 7 & Wed Dec 9, 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, December 7 and Wednesday, December 9, 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!

Now available on demand: The Secrets of Show, Don’t Tell

eCourses and Webinars, On Writing, opportunities for writers, Professional Development, writing resources

The Secrets of Show, Don't Tell: A Webinar for Writers (On Demand) Presented by Kathy MacMillan. KathyMacMillan.com.

Recording access is now available for my most popular writing workshop, “The Secrets of Show, Don’t Tell” – and for a limited time, it’s on sale for only $30.00!

In this 3.5 hour workshop, I break down what it really means to “show, don’t tell” in relation to every aspect of your writing from character development to plot, and in every stage from manuscript to pitch. With examples across categories and genres, I share my “Showing Secrets” – actionable revision steps that you can use right away to breathe new life into your writing.

You will receive recording access information by email within 24 hours of order. You will have access to the recording for 30 days.

Let’s get showing!

Librarian and Teacher Resources for NITA’S FOOD SIGNS

American Sign Language, Little Hands Signing series, Nita's Food Signs, Professional Development, Resources for Teachers and Librarians

I’m so excited to share with you these resources for using Nita’s Food Signs in the classroom or storytime!

Nita’s Food Signs Teacher/Librarian Guide (printable .pdf)

 

Video Demonstration of the Signs in the Book:

 

Nita’s Food Signs Storytime with Author Kathy MacMillan (in Spoken English with Closed Captions)

Nita’s Food Signs Storytime with Author Kathy MacMillan (in American Sign Language)

 

More Resources for Signing with Young Children:

Little Hands Signing Storytime & Craft Ideas

Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together

Resources for Signing with Babies and Young Children

Resources for Signing in Storytime or the Classroom

Resources for Educators and Librarians

Picture Books about ASL and Deaf Culture

Hear This!: Use That Microphone, Already

Professional Development, Resources for Teachers and Librarians

photo of a microphoneIt happens again and again: a speaker is asked to use a microphone, and they say, “Oh, I don’t need it. I have a [teacher/pastor/camp counselor/fill-in-the-blank supposedly loud profession] voice.”  (I even had a clergy member at my own parent’s funeral try to pull this!)

But guess what? It has nothing to do with how loud you (supposedly) are, and everything to do with your audience’s comfort and access. Some people can hear high sounds, some low, and some need you to use the microphone to help drown out background noise. And just because people can hear you when you shout “Can you hear me?” at the top of your voice, that doesn’t mean that they can comfortably listen to you for five or ten or sixty minutes when your voice, tone, and pitch go up and down in the course of normal speaking.

Continue reading Hear This!: Use That Microphone, Already →