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

Wednesdays, September 24 to October 29, 2025

11 AM-12 PM Eastern/10-11 AM Central/9-10 AM Mountain/8-9 AM Pacific

Online sessions via Zoom (6 weeks, 1 hour per week). Includes recording access for all sessions through November 30, 2025.

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.

Pricing:

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

About the Instructor:

Kathy MacMillan is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press, Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press) as well as many other books for children, teens, librarians, and educators. She has presented workshops and trainings for thousands of library staff throughout North America.

Past participants say:

“I've been wanting to build on my ASL skills for a while, but I knew most of the classes I took in the community or independent study I did online wouldn't cover the vocabulary I needed for my job. This class was perfect for learning library-specific vocabulary!” – Anonymous 

“Hands Up! was one of the most enjoyable and practical continuing ed courses I have taken in a long time. I found the ASL lessons extremely valuable as well as the introduction to Deaf culture. I have already had opportunities to put these new skills into practice at my library.” - Sarah Matthews, Wadsworth Library 

“I loved this workshop, it was a great introduction to library vocab in ASL!” – Anonymous 

“Thanks for another outstanding learning experience! I've loved taking what I learned back to my colleagues and customers.” – Anonymous

“Thank you! You are obviously knowledgeable about ASL and a great teacher. I expected to learn just ASL signs, but the background, history and info about Deaf culture that you shared was even more valuable to me.” - Holly CP, Tigard Public Library