This past week at the Public Library Association Conference in Minnesota was truly something special.
Going into the conference, we were hopeful. Coming out of it, we are incredibly encouraged.
Over the course of the event, 197 librarians and library representatives entered our giveaway through our QR code, showing strong interest in bringing American Sign Language resources to their communities. That level of engagement in such a short time speaks volumes about where libraries are heading and what they value.
But what stood out even more than the numbers were the conversations.
Again and again, people stopped by our booth not just to learn about ASLdeafined, but to tell us something powerful:
“We already use your program.”
Hearing that never gets old.
Librarians shared stories about how ASLdeafined is being used by:
Those moments reminded us that this is bigger than a platform. It is about access. It is about connection. It is about giving communities the tools to communicate with everyone.
We also had the opportunity to meet many new libraries who are excited about getting started. Whether they sign up this week or in the months ahead, the interest was real and genuine.
A Clear Takeaway
One thing became very clear at this conference:
Libraries are leading the way in accessibility and inclusion.
They are not waiting.
They are acting.
We are grateful for every conversation, every handshake, every shared story, and every person who took a moment to learn more about what we do.
To the libraries already using ASLdeafined, thank you for your trust.
To those we met for the first time, we are excited about what comes next.
And to everyone who stopped by just to say hello, you made this experience unforgettable.
Final Thought
Language is a human right. It is also a human connection.
— Paul