ASL Storytimes at KDL Cascade Township Branch
A new partnership between Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS) and Kent District Library (KDL) is bringing American Sign Language story times to KDL branches around the area.
The first one was held the second week of September, as part of Deaf Awareness Month activities for D&HHS, and saw seven families and 25 people come together to listen to stories in ASL from Nancy Piersma, the Community Education Coordinator for D&HHS.
Erica Chapin, the Community & Partnerships Manager for D&HHS, said that the storytimes have roots in a relationship that began last year, and that the two organizations have worked closely to create an experience for kids and families that is both Deaf-friendly, as well as educational for all who attend.
“It was great to see so many families come for the very first ASL storytime,” she added. “The parents and children got to learn some signs with Nancy and watch two story books told in ASL.”
Piersma wholeheartedly agreed.
“The first story was about bugs,” she said. “We made ourselves move like the bugs move, and it was fun to do that instead of sitting the whole time. Also, both parents and their children were participating in signs as well.”
Piersma added that she believes it’s important for young children to hear stories in ASL.
“It is important for both hearing and Deaf,” she said. “For Deaf to have access to communication through ASL, and for hearing to have sign language for communication tools if they are non-verbal or have delayed speech. Also, it’s great for hearing children to have an exposure to Deaf language and Deaf culture.”
KDL’s Ashley Smolinski, Branch Outreach and Programming Specialist, said the event was truly fantastic and exactly what KDL hoped for when it first started talking to D&HHS about the Deaf community and the need for inclusion and equity.
“We decided that one of the ways we could increase accessibility would be to create an ASL storytime together,” she said. “By using the expertise of KDL and D&HHS, we were able to create something unique designed for all families, including Deaf families.”
She also praised Piersma’s part in the process.
“There’s something about the way that Nancy brings stories to life and how our children and families respond to the process of learning ASL together,” she said. “Like many storytimes we’ve got songs, activities and stories, but the willingness for people to come together to understand more about each other is what makes this program exceptional.”
Smolinski noted that KDL hopes to use ASL storytime as a springboard to other bilingual storytimes as part of its mission to further all people and create partnerships that are reflective of the diverse communities it serves.
“As an organization, we value providing support and learning from those around us,” she said. “It’s a privilege to learn new ways to connect and serve families within Kent County.”
The ASL storytimes will continue into November at the Cascade Township Branch of the Kent District Library, 2870 Jacksmith Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 on the following dates from 10-11 a.m.
● September 19
● September 26
● October 10
● October 17
● October 24
● October 31
● November 14
Piersma hopes the events will continue to draw crowds.
“Our mission (at D&HHS) is to have communication access for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing communities,” she said. “And our mission is to educate the hearing world. These storytimes are perfect for that!”