In an effort to be more inclusive for area residents, the City of High Point is holding a sign language story time this month.

Kathy MacMillan – a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian and signing storyteller – will lead the sign language story time at the High Point Public Library at 901 N. Main St. on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. in the library’s story room.

The event is free and open to all ages.

MacMillan, a writer who lives in Baltimore, is known for her picture books, children’s nonfiction books and middle-grade and young adult fiction.

In addition, she’s published eight resource books for educators, librarians and parents.

According to High Point library officials, research shows that, with all children, signing “stimulates language development, eases communication, supports early literacy and defuses frustration for parents and children alike.”

In keeping with the High Point library’s summer reading program theme, the story time on August 16 is being called “Oceans of Possibilities,” and the sign language story time is titled “Signs Under the Sea.”

MacMillan said she likes to have some diversity in her work.

“You know how some writers say that they never wanted to do anything but write, that they always had a pencil in their hands from their earliest years, and so it was inevitable they would grow up to become writers?” she once stated. “Yeah, that’s not me.”

MacMillan said she eventually had what she thinks of as “my choose-your-own- adventure” career. S

he earned her Master’s degree in Library Science and went to work as a public children’s librarian, – a job she said she loved.

“While there, I met a deaf kindergarten teacher who inspired me to start taking American Sign Language classes,” MacMillan stated.

Those interested can contact the library or find more information online at KathyMacMillan.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @kathys_quill.

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