Christmas stories to be told by signing ; Mario Mauro's presentation at the Springvale Library will be translated for people with hearing.

DEBORAH SAYER News Assistant
Portland Press Herald (Maine)
12-07-2005
Christmas stories to be told by signing ; Mario Mauro's presentation at the Springvale Library will be translated for people with hearing.
Byline: DEBORAH SAYER News Assistant
Edition: York
Section: Local & State
Memo: IF YOU GO HOLIDAY STORY TIME will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the library, 443 Main St., Springvale. The session is free and open to the public. FOR MORE INFORMATION, call 324-4624. The facility is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays and major holidays. For a complete schedule of activities and additional information, go to the library's Web site at: www.springvalelibrary.org. The site offers many interactive internet links, including a children's section featuring fun activities, history, trivia, homework assistance and much more.

For some, Christmas memories come in audible form: the sound of ringing of bells, the singing of carols, and the recitation of "'Twas the night before Christmas..." from Clement C. Moore's classic poem `A Visit From St. Nicholas.'

For others, the bells, carolers and books also evoke Christmas memories, but the sounds identifying them are as audible as falling snow - utterly silent.
Today the Springvale Public Library will host deaf storyteller Mario Mauro in hopes of bringing some seasonal joy to readers of all hearing abilities. He will relate two holiday tales for children and their families using American Sign Language. An interpreter, who will translate Mauro's stories into English for the hearing audience, will accompany him.

The event marks Mauro's second such visit to the library. Last year, he conveyed the book "The Polar Express" and later invited children in the audience who knew sign language to join him in teaching the others how to sign some Christmas carols. Several children, ages 8 to 12, volunteered.

"He's so amazing," said children's librarian Sheila Dube of Mauro's gestures and storytelling abilities. "Without hearing, you could tell what he was saying."

Dube said that audience members really connected with Mauro and each other. And, she hopes his visits will become a yearly tradition.

This year, Mauro will feature the books "The 12 days of Christmas" and "Wings that Work." And, once again, he will teach children how to sign a few traditional Christmas carols.

The library staff will help set the holiday mood, serving seasonal refreshments in front of a festive hand-painted fireplace that will serve as a backdrop for the presentation. There is no registration necessary and all are welcome to attend.

The event is just one of the ways the library is offering programs that all members of the community can enjoy. "We're a public library, so we want to meet the needs of the community," said Dube.

The facility will celebrate its 100th anniversary beginning in January 2006. The yearlong celebration will include historical talks, special children's programs and a Victorian Christmas celebration in December 2006.

News Assistant Deborah Sayer can be contacted at 283-3605 or at:

dsayer@pressherald.com.

Copyright 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.