For immediate release | February 8, 2011

Learn how to Liven Up Baby and Toddler Storytimes with Sign Language in new 91´«Ã½ Editions Workshop

91´«Ã½

91´«Ã½ Editions Workshop logo

91´«Ã½ Editions announces with Kathy MacMillan, a new workshop that will take place on Wednesday, March 23, 2011.

Using sign language during library storytimes is both a way to communicate with babies and toddlers and to broaden the appeal of storytimes by making them accessible to deaf children and parents. This interactive workshop will allow participants to learn from American Sign Language interpreter, librarian and storyteller Kathy MacMillan. MacMillan will use video examples to provide easy-to-learn signs that can be re-taught and incorporated into storytime ideas. Librarians will be able to use the skills learned in this workshop to create programs that will help parents communicate with their children at home.

Registration for this workshop is available at the . The workshop will last 90 minutes and takes place at 1 p.m. EST/Noon CST/11 a.m. MST/10 a.m. PST on Wednesday, March 23.

Kathy MacMillan is a freelance writer, American Sign Language interpreter, librarian and storyteller. She has contributed articles to Public Libraries, American Libraries, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates and LibrarySparks and is the author of "Try Your Hand at This!: Easy Ways to Incorporate Sign Language into Your Programs" (Scarecrow Press, 2006), "A Box Full of Tales: Easy Ways to Share Library Resources through Story Boxes" (91´«Ã½ Editions, 2008) and "Storytime Magic" (with Christine Kirker, 91´«Ã½ Editions, 2009). She was the Library/Media Specialist at the Maryland School for the Deaf from 2001 to 2005 and, prior to that, was a children’s librarian at Carroll County (Md.) Public Library and Howard County (Md.) Library, where she developed and presented hundreds of programs for all ages. She holds an M.L.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park and has been reviewing for School Library Journal since 1999. Kathy presents storytelling programs introducing sign language for thousands of children and families each year through Stories By Hand ().

91´«Ã½ Editions Workshops are designed to give you and your staff the opportunity to participate in a hands‐on learning experience that will help you make the best decisions for your library.

purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. 91´«Ã½ authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact 91´«Ã½ Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.

Contact:

Dan Freeman