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by Melody Gibson
Librarian. Author. Advocate. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. Camp Director. Mentor. These are a few of the many hats Kathy MacMillan wears.
This summer, we had the pleasure of chatting with Kathy. She’s had a whirlwind career—and much of her work revolves around helping D/deaf children and families. The way she spoke about her work was truly inspiring; it’s clear she is passionate about serving the Deaf community in her locale of Baltimore, Maryland, and beyond.
When we asked Kathy what inspires and rewards her most about her work, she said, “being with kids.”
Read on to learn about Kathy’s journey, her ASL teaching resources, her story time philosophy, and much more!
From Public Librarian to ASL-Fluent, School-for-the-Deaf Librarian
Kathy started her career as a children’s librarian. Through the experience of trying to communicate with a Deaf teacher in the public library where she worked, Kathy realized she wanted to take an ASL class. Her journey took off from there.
In the summer between Kathy’s ASL 4 and 5 courses, she began volunteering at Deaf Camps, Inc., located in Maryland. Kathy told us, “that kind of inspired me: maybe I want to work at a school for the Deaf as a librarian.”
When she returned from camp that summer, she began perusing job openings—and she happened to find one at the Maryland School for the Deaf. Kathy wasn’t confident she could pursue the job at first. “I was like, ‘I’m going into ASL 5; I’m not fluent. I can’t do this. So I didn’t apply for it,” Kathy said.
Despite her hesitation, fate had other plans. That September, Kathy inquired about volunteering at the Maryland School for the Deaf to get more experience signing. When the administration found out she was a librarian, they urged Kathy to apply for their open position.
And so it began. At her new post, Kathy was thrown into a full-immersion environment where she was signing every day. “Probably by the end of my first year there, I’d developed some fluency,” she said. “Being a librarian, you really are at the heart of the school. Every teacher, every student, every staff person has a reason to talk to you, so you’re able to get that fluency really fast.”
Kathy’s Journey Toward ASL Interpreting & Creating Library Resources
Kathy went on to pursue further ASL studies and earn an interpreting degree. She told us, “I’ve always been one of these people…I don’t know how to give twenty-five percent. Or ninety percent. It’s a hundred and fifty or nothing.”
Kathy stressed, “I loved my job. I loved being a librarian.” It wasn’t that she wanted to abandon her role, but she felt called to serve the Deaf community in an even broader way. She used her ASL education and her knowledge of library programming to dream up a new project: trainings for library programmers to include ASL in their offerings.
Kathy said the trainings she developed are “on the topic[s] of serving Deaf patrons, serving D/deaf kids and families, and respectfully and effectively using American Sign Language in story time.”
Because online learning took off in 2020, Kathy was able to expand her library trainings virtually to libraries throughout the US. Kathy now runs two websites filled with program resources: Storytime Stuff and Stories by Hand.
Kathy’s Top Tips to Incorporate ASL for Young Audiences
We asked Kathy if she could name a few ways educators, librarians, and caregivers of young children can work ASL into their daily routines.
“It could be something as simple as incorporating the manual alphabet into your spelling lesson. It could be something like using the feeling signs when we’re trying to calm down. It could be using group management signs, like ‘more’ and ‘all done’ and ‘line up’… In my books, I actually have a lot of games and rhymes and songs that are designed to just help you get through the day, like ‘here’s a song to sing while you’re doing a diaper change, and here are the signs to go with it!’ ”
Kathy cited one of her books, Little Hands & Big Hands: Children & Adults Signing Together. In this book, she said, there is a section all about signing while out and about. As an example, she sang us a few verses of her Waiting Room song—a playful tune that’s likely to get kids laughing and using their imaginations as they wait.
Kathy emphasized the importance of adapting activities for children of all ages. She said that improvising is a key part of her programs, and she aims in her training materials to give suggestions for tailoring the activities for any age. So much of sign language instruction is geared toward babies and young children, but Kathy said, “we [library staff] are fostering communication for families, so I’m always going to find a way to engage that older kid.”
Signing & Connection: An Encouragement for Parents of Deaf Children
On the topic of parents who have a newly identified deaf child, Kathy said: “Keep exposing yourself and your child to as much sign language as possible.”
Kathy discussed something that’s near to our hearts as well: deaf kids don’t get the same early incidental learning as hearing kids. While a hearing child may overhear parents talking, conversations on the street, or interactions in a grocery store, deaf kids don’t get any of that. That’s why exposure to sign language is so important. Kids of any ability deserve the chance to develop their communication skills.
She also highlighted the importance of kids’ interaction with Deaf role models. “With the kids I work with, the biggest deprivation I see [aside from language deprivation]…is a lack of access to Deaf role models—and fluently signing role models. And kids need that.”
She also brought up an important point: communication should be fun. Talking to deaf kids, Kathy quipped, “shouldn’t be all about the information, and that’s what happens very often with a lot of the kids I work with. They’re only being communicated with when there’s information to be conveyed, and there are so many more purposes to communication! It’s about connection.”
Kathy’s mantra for parents and program leaders? “Always focus on connection over perfection.”
“We’re always worried about getting it just right—but if you’re connecting with your kid, you’re getting it right.”
It’s why, Kathy says, many of her books involve games and songs—instead of making communication a chore, she aims to help adults and children have fun learning to sign! “Find a way to connect that works for you,” she advised.
Deaf Camps, Inc.
Deaf Camps, Inc., is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that has been serving the Deaf community since the 1980s. Kathy has served in a number of roles at this camp, and she keeps returning year after year. She started out as a counselor, and she is currently working as the director of the interpreter intern program, a role in which she mentors interpreting students.
Deaf Camps, Inc., is special, Kathy says, in that they run an integrated camp. Instead of separating out ASL learners, native signers, CODAs, etc., they mix these groups for a unique immersive experience. D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, or hearing campers are welcome. Anyone interested in the camp can find more information here.
For anyone who may be wary of the cost, Kathy told us, “We have a very robust scholarship program!” Scholarship applications can be found on their website.
Little Hands Signing Book Series
When she’s not at the library or at camp, Kathy has been hard at work writing. She is the author of a series of books called the Little Hands Signing series. This series comprises three books: Nita’s First Signs, Nita’s Day, and Nita’s Food Signs (coming in 2025). The series will eventually include a fourth book, which is still in development.
Kathy said the format of the books has been successful. Each page has a tab that can be pulled, and the page slides open to reveal illustrations of the signs.
She said she was pleased to be involved in the publication process, especially advising on the illustrations. The publisher agreed to using both a Deaf culture advisor and an early childhood advisor during the books’ creation to best showcase the nature of ASL to young readers.
Kathy also wrote another upcoming book series called Sign the Seasons. This series will include four books highlighting seasonal ASL vocabulary for young learners. Keep your eyes on Kathy’s website and Familius Press for updates!
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We thank Kathy for her contributions to the Deaf community and for speaking with us this summer! Kathy has written many more books, and we encourage you to check out her website for more information: https://kathymacmillan.com/
Don’t forget to check out the websites for Deaf Camps, Inc. and Stories by Hand for more resources and opportunities.
Melody Gibson is a writer and editor based in New York State. She has bachelor’s degrees in both communications and graphic design. Melody became enchanted by picture books when she started reading to her son when he was a baby. She writes about children’s literature, family relationships, special needs advocacy, child development, and more.
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Limitless Potential of ASL: ASL Picture Books Sign Language Blog is a platform that invites you to explore the world of American Sign Language and the Deaf community. The blog offers insights, author interviews, and educational materials for anyone interested in ASL education and Deaf culture. It's a valuable resource, whether you're new to ASL or a seasoned member of the Deaf community. Subscribe today for free to start your ASL journey with us!
Kathleen Marcath, the founder of ASLPictureBooks.com and author of "My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me," is a passionate advocate for bilingual education and ASL literacy, holding a bachelor's degree in Deaf Community Studies. Inspired by the need for inclusive children's books, she created a picture book where characters use sign language on each page, promoting the limitless potential of ASL for d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing and curious children.
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