Montgomery County Public Libraries Announces the Launch of the Enhanced Deaf Culture Digital Library Website

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 9, 2020

The Deaf Culture Digital Library (Maryland DCDL), a program of the Maryland State Library Agency, has launched its newly enhanced website. The website provides a more comprehensive digital content related to American Sign Language, Deaf culture, Deaf history, Deaf literature, news in American Sign Language, lists of organizations, and more.

Since the latter part of 2015, MCPL has hosted, developed, and managed Maryland DCDL on behalf of the Maryland State Library, due to MCPL’s long history of providing library services to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. These services include communication access, Deaf resources, collections of materials for, by, and about people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and programs featuring Deaf authors and speakers on topics related to Deaf culture, and coping with hearing level changes due to aging. These services are nationally and State renowned.

“We’re so pleased to be part of this vital project,” said Director of Montgomery County Public Libraries Anita Vassallo. “We look forward to seeing that it is well used by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.”

Maryland DCDL Coordinator and MCPL Librarian Susan Cohen said, “This project was a statewide community effort. We are grateful for the input we received from library customers and staff, the Maryland DCDL Advisory Board, and the Maryland Governor’s Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to help inform our priorities for the website. We are happy that we now have a resource to serve our community.”

In 2019, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), in a partnership with Maryland DCDL, secured a contract with Eyeth Studios, a Deaf-woman owned company, to develop and design an ADA compliant and Deaf-centric website. 

Director Kelby Brick, Maryland Governor’s Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, said, "DCDL will be an essential element in the Deaf Ecosystem that empowers Deaf and hard of hearing people. The new website will be a key step in DCDL's development, and I look forward to the launch of the website that reflects how rich the Deaf culture is. I am grateful to all those who have worked hard to get us to this point."

“As a program of the Maryland State Library Agency, we are excited to see the launch of the website and recognize the hard work of the Maryland DCDL Team and the web developer. We look forward to seeing how the next chapter unfolds,” says Irene Padilla, State Librarian, Maryland State Library Agency.

The new Maryland DCDL website can be found at this link: www.MarylandDCDL.org. For the latest DCDL updates, sign up for their eNews. For more information, contact Susan F. Cohen at info@marylanddcdl.org.

# # #

Put the “count” in Montgomery County! Be sure to complete the Census online, by phone, or by mail. It’s safe, confidential, easy, and important. #2020Census #EveryoneCountsMCMD

Release ID: 20-481
Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-463-2442