‘Eddie’ to host introduction to ASL
The Garland County Library is offering a chance to learn the basics of American Sign Language on Oct. 14 when Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s COVID-19 press briefing interpreter, Eddie Schmeckenbecher, hosts a virtual introduction to ASL.
In addition to appearing with Hutchinson during the governor’s press briefing over the past few months, Schmeckenbecher also serves as the student and family support services director at the Arkansas School for the Deaf. Paul Kagebein, the library’s adult services programmer, said that Schmeckenbecher is “going to cover some basics of sign language and why it’s so important.”
The event will last about an hour and a half, and participants will be able to post their questions, which Kagebein will pass on to Schmeckenbecher.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually on Facebook Live, beginning at 6 p.m. Kagebein said that after the presentation is over, the video will be uploaded to the library’s YouTube page, as well.
Kagebein said the topic is an important one. “ASL is one of the most-used languages in the world,” he said, noting that the language “is up there with Spanish” on how many places use it.
“A certain sample of our community is deaf or hearing impaired. You never know when you’ll meet someone like that,” he added.
“Over the years there have been quite a few patrons who’ve asked” for such a presentation, he said. Since the event was announced in a Facebook post, it has become “one of our most-shared events so far.”
“There’s a lot of interest,” Kagebein said, noting that he wasn’t sure if it was the topic, or if it was Schmeckenbecher, that has attracted all the attention. He said that due to the press briefings, Schmeckenbecher has become a
“local star.”
The presentation will also be a family friendly event. Kagebein said that since Schmeckenbecher works for a school, he is able to work with children. “I think it could be something for the entire family, (as a school director) he definitely knows how to communicate with children.”
Kagebein said that this event will be the “perfect starting point (for learning ASL) for anyone of all ages.”
Along with the public, Kagebein said the event will be useful for the library, as “we have a few deaf members in our community, so it would help our staff.”
“Hopefully all my staff will learn something from it,” he said, noting that as it’ll be kept on both Facebook and YouTube, library workers can watch the video after the event happens.
Since the pandemic started, the library has turned to virtual events, and it was during a different virtual event that the idea for this one came up. Kagebein said that when the library had a virtual talk with Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero, he told Romero that he was interested in ASL and asked for Schmeckenbecher’s contact information.
“(Romero) was very happy to give it,” Kagebein said.
The virtual events, Kagebein said, have been a success for the library.
“Some have had well over 1,000 (views), over eight times as many people (that fit) in our auditorium.”
The library has announced several more virtual events for the near future. On Sept. 30, they will host an interview with Low Key Arts Executive Director Sonny Kay, where they will discuss how LKA has adapted during the pandemic. There will also be a virtual event on Oct. 21 called “War Food Rationing Compared to Today’s Healthy Eating.” This will be hosted by Alison Crane, family and consumer science agent for the Garland County Cooperative Extension Service, and it will compare World War I food rationing against today’s healthy eating practices.