Author Archives: Katie Foran-Mulcahy

Children, Youth and Environments exhibit in CECH Library

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Join us in celebrating 40 years of Children, Youth and Environments (CYE) with a special exhibit in the CECH Library, inviting you to explore the journal’s mission to foster inclusive, sustainable environments for children and youth worldwide.

Managed and published by the University of Cincinnati’s Arlitt Center since 2015, CYE connects a global community of research, policy, and practice, highlighting diverse perspectives on the spaces where young people live, learn, work, and play.

This special exhibit will be available to view in CECH Library through January 2025.

Leslie Kochanowski, PhD
Director of Research & Initiatives | Arlitt Center for Education, Research & Sustainability Managing Editor | Children, Youth and Environments
University of Cincinnati

MakerLab Glow Up

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You may have noticed that our CECH Library MakerLab has had a bit of a glow up in recent months. The first phase of improvements was completed this summer, just in time for the fall 2024 term.

Initial phase improvements in our MakerLab include:

  • Re-organization of the space
  • Improved signage
  • A co-located collection of books and resources about making pedagogies
  • Artist prints from iconic picture book illustrators Eric Carle and Christian Robinson

We hope you’ll join us for the first workshop in our Teachers are Makers series, Intro to Cricut on Wednesday, November 13 at 2pm. This workshop is on-site in our MakerLab so participants can practice hands-on with some of our newest tools and make a project to take home.

We are appreciative for the advocacy and support of our colleagues in the 1819 Groundfloor Makerspace, the Greater Cincinnati STEM Collaborative, and the CECH School of Education. Thanks for helping us get this “glow up” off the ground and bring new tools and ways of making to our users.

Stay tuned for additional phased improvements. Hope to see you soon in the MakerLab.

Fondly,
Katie Foran-Mulcahy (she/her)
Head, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library

CECH Library Annual Highlights, AY24

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Please enjoy this Microsoft Sway presentation of CECH Library’s key data points and proud achievements from academic year 2023-24. As always, feel free to reach out directly with any feedback, ideas, or questions.

On a personal note, I couldn’t be prouder to lead this team in support UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. It’s a privilege and a gift to serve our vibrant, innovative community here at CECH.

Don’t forget to check out our highlights page for the latest CECH Library news on spaces, collections, and innovative services.

With gratitude,
Katie Foran-Mulcahy
CECH Library Head

d/Deaf Children’s Books in the Classroom

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Last semester, the CECH Library collaborated with the American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies Department to expand d/Deaf representation in their children’s and young adult literature collections. After working with ASL 2003 students to create a book selection framework, the ASL Club helped CECH librarians choose which books to add to the library’s collections in February 2024. 

Now that we have these awesome books on our shelves, Elementary Education major Alice Somers shared an exciting update on how she’s using the collection in her kindergarten practicum classroom: 

As an education student completing my kindergarten practicum, I have found myself in a Deaf & Hard of Hearing classroom. I have been able to take the books from this collaboration and bring it into a classroom where the students can see themselves in the literature around them. The students and teachers have shown great interest in the books, and are excited to utilize them throughout the school year! 

Thanks for this great update, Alice! We love knowing that our children’s book collections are being used and enjoyed by children, especially in a way that is affirming of their lived experience.

Katie Foran-Mulcahy 
Head, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library 

Alice Somers 
CECH Library Student Employee 
Elementary Education and Deaf Studies (CECH 2026) 

CECH Library Spotlight: Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

Imogen, Obviously / written by Becky Albertalli (2023)

“True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world. Our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.” – Brene Brown

Becky Albertalli, most well known for her novel Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda, has written multiple novels that explore different yet positive LGBTQ+ experiences. Her latest novel Imogen, Obviously, focuses on the lived experience of realizing one’s own identity. It follows Imogen Scott, a high school senior who is so sure that she’s straight, at least that’s what everyone tells her. It’s not until she visits her best friend at college, and begins meeting her friends (who all happen to be Queer) that Imogen begins to rethink her identity. 

Albertalli intimately explores the process of self-acceptance, and the anxiety of feeling enough. Imogen, Obviously is a love letter to those who are on their journey of learning to understand their identity. This novel shouts, “You’re enough, you matter, you belong!” For the first time in a long time, I felt the power of seeing myself in the media.

This book is available for checkout in the CECH Library, as well as via the OhioLINK and Search Ohio lending networks.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

CECH Library Spotlight: Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

This book was purchased with funding provided by a 2024 CECH Diversity Grant and selected using the Framework for Selecting Children’s Literature With d/Deaf Representation created by Emma Kist’s ASL 2003 students.

Give Me a Sign / written by Anna Sortino (2023)

Anna Sortino’s summer camp contemporary romance Give Me a Sign will pull at your heartstrings the entire read, while also leaving you giddy with what is to come next. 

This novel follows Lilah, a seventeen-year-old who happens to be deaf in one ear. All her life, her parents encouraged her along the oral route, where she got hearing aids and took years of speech classes to blend in with those around her. To Lilah, the only time she’s ever felt seen is when she attended Camp Gray Wolf, a summer camp for the Deaf and Blind. So, when she gets the opportunity to be a junior counselor for the upcoming summer, Lilah can’t say no. Throughout the summer, Lilah immerses herself in Deaf* culture, American Sign Language, true friendship, and romance. But she still has some things to learn about herself, and parts of her identity to come to terms with. 

Give Me a Sign is more than just a fun, summer romance. It shines a much-needed light on the spectrum of Deafness*, the importance of accommodations, the negative aspects of having a disability, and the struggle of accepting one’s identity. One of the biggest topics that carries throughout is the idea of ‘being Deaf enough’. Lilah struggles with this as she is surrounded by people who are fluent in ASL, who are more immersed in the culture, who are from a multi-generational Deaf family. 

Early on we are introduced to Lilah’s brother, Max, who happens to have the same type of deafness, though slightly more advanced. Max acts as a foil to Lilah, being shown to prefer the oral route to Lilah’s manual preference. Max’s character helps open the discussion of hearing devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants, which are often given to young children in hopes of integrating them into the hearing world more easily. Sortino’s novel examines so many hard-hitting topics that impact the Deaf* community such as hearing people using ASL for clout or even faking disabilities when it is convenient.

There is a quote from Sortino’s author’s note that I felt extremely poignant: “I simply hope [my novel] gives readers a glance into the depth and complexities of Deaf culture, as well as an understanding of why I and so many others are proud to be Deaf”. This novel shines a light on the ups and downs of Deafness* and basks in the pride it has for the Deaf* community. 

This book is available for checkout in the CECH Library, as well as via the OhioLINK and SearchOhio lending networks.

NOTE: In alignment with the UC ASL/Deaf studies department, I use Deaf* above to include and acknowledge the different cultures and ways of being Deaf.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

CECH Library Spotlight: Harriet Versus the Galaxy by Samantha Baines

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

This book was purchased with funding provided by a 2024 CECH Diversity Grant and selected using the Framework for Selecting Children’s Literature With d/Deaf Representation created by Emma Kist’s ASL 2003 students.

Harriet Versus the Galaxy / written by Samantha Baines (2019)

If you were ever a fan of The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, Samantha Baines’ debut juvenile book Harriet Versus the Galaxy would be right up your alley.

The novel follows Harriet Green, a ten-year old from England who happens to be hard of hearing. After moving in with her Gran, she learns that her hearing aid can do more than just help her hear. She can understand alien languages. One day she’s moving in with her Gran, the next she’s being tasked to save Earth from aliens! 

Baine explores more than just Deafness* throughout her novel, however. Gender identity, while small in detail, makes a mighty difference in the way it is presented in this novel. Baines shows readers that gender identity is a topic for all ages and can be mentioned without trauma being present. This novel represents the Deaf* and gender identity with compassion without calling attention to them. 

Throughout the novel, Baines takes the opportunity to explore how bullying can have an effect on children, and how to handle it with grace. Harriet Versus the Galaxy stands tall and teaches readers how to be brave in the face of a problem, and how to be compassionate to one another without putting another person down. In the end, this book helps to encourage all of us to authentically be ourselves. 

Throughout the novel, you can find artwork reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or The Dork Diaries. With illustrations from Deaf artist Jessica Flores, you truly feel like you are with Harriet as she learns about the world of aliens — or should I say galaxy?

This book is available for checkout in the CECH Library.

NOTE: In alignment with the UC ASL/Deaf studies department, I use Deaf* above to include and acknowledge the different cultures and ways of being Deaf.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026

We Love d/Deaf Children’s Books: Special event with the ASL Club

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You’re invited… To recommend new children’s books for the CECH Library collection with d/Deaf representation, d/Deaf characters, and d/Deaf stories.

Using a framework created by ASL 2003 Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness, participants in this event will use their knowledge of d/Deaf culture and American Sign Language to recommend new books for the CECH Library children’s collections, including books for young children through young adults (YA).

WHEN: Wednesday, February 14th at 4:30pm
WHERE: CECH Library’s classroom, room 320
REQUIRED: An interest in d/Deaf culture, inclusion, and representation in books/media

All are welcome, RSVP to participate in this fun event on Valentine’s Day afternoon.

This event is co-sponsored by the ASL Club and the CECH Library and is funded by a CECH Diversity Grant. For further questions, contact Katie Foran-Mulcahy, CECH Library Head.

CECH Library Open House — Wednesday, January 31 @ 1pm

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The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library cordially invites you to an open house on Wednesday, January 31 from 1-3pm. Stop by to learn about library offerings, chat with library staff, and enjoy a warm beverage and some cookies.

The CECH Library is located in 300 Teachers-Dyer Complex. All are welcome — hope to see you there!

Fondly,
k

KATIE FORAN-MULCAHY (she/her)
Head, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library
University of Cincinnati Libraries
katie.foran@uc.edu | 513.556.1758

CECH Library Spotlight: True Biz by Sara Novic

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CECH Spotlight highlights recommended books in the the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library.

True Biz: A Novel / written by Sara Novic (2022)

Sara Novic’s True Biz: A Novel is an excellent read for those who are interested in learning about the Deaf community from different angles. For hearing people, such as myself, reading this book is a great opportunity to understand the different ways people can be Deaf*, and the way they interact with their community, culture, and environment.

This novel centers on Charlie, who has had a cochlear implant most of her life while taking the oral route; Austin, who comes from a multigenerational Deaf* family; and February, a CODA whose working desperately to keep the Deaf* school she works for open. The book begins in media res, and intertwines these three characters’ lives together.

Novic’s novel explores the different facets of the Deaf* community, and pulls real life experiences into her writing. She takes examples from the Deaf President Now movement, which occurred at the world’s only university that focuses on the education of Deaf* people. There is also a lot of focus on the ever present communication debate, which focuses on whether it’s more beneficial for a Deaf* person to communicate via American Sign Language or orally. 

There is so much to learn in Novic’s novel, and it’s a great starting point if you’re interested in learning more about the Deaf* community. Sprinkled throughout the novel is also the utilization of ASL Glossing (ASL’s grammar structure), diagrams for different signs, and interesting Deaf tidbits!

This book is available from the CECH Library, OhioLINK, and the Search Ohio lending networks.

NOTE: In alignment with the UC ASL/Deaf studies department, I use Deaf* above to include and acknowledge the different cultures and ways of being Deaf.

Review by Alice Somers, CECH Library Student Assistant | Early Childhood Education and Deaf Studies, CECH 2026