Monthly Archives: December 2020

December 24, Christmas Eve, is a very special day to many people. It’s also my birthday and I love it! Growing up other kids thought I was lying about my birthday. As I got older, people asked if I got duped out of presents, or if I got combined birthday and Christmas presents. The short answer is no, not typically.

I had birthday parties and sleepovers, separate gifts and birthday presents wrapped in birthday paper! (Not Christmas wrapping paper.)

My birthday tradition has been continued by my wonderful husband, Zach, for the past 17 years. I have been blessed with an amazing family.  He makes the same special meal my mom used to cook and he’s gotten better at it every year. He never expects anything in return because it’s my day, and he loves me unconditionally. That’s a pretty special gift.

Speaking of giving unconditionally: One of my favorite gifts ever given to me on my birthday were Shel Silverstein’s books. 

The first one I received was The Giving Tree. In it a boy asks the tree for her resources, and she willingly gives him whatever he asks for, never asking anything in return, as the boy grows and his needs and wants change.  The tree is constant in her devotion and willingness to give her love unconditionally.

I think The Giving Tree is a great example of the concept of Agàpe:  a selfless,  giving, unconditional love.   During the Christmas Season – especially in 2020 – I like to think that we should all work to share a little more Agàpe with our friends, family, neighbors and those in need.    

So that’s my Birthday wish for his year:  share hope and love unconditionally with those around you this year.  

-Ellen Lint, Library Assistant

This month I want to talk about the pandemic and the wearing of masks. As the person ultimately responsible for the safety and welfare of both the public and my staff in our facility, I take the Ohio Department of Health’s mask mandate seriously. No one reading this column can deny that COVID-19 is inching closer and closer to each and every one of us. Library patrons, staff, volunteers, and friends have battled the virus. Some have lost spouses and loved ones. My parents have tested positive. My children have had their in-person education halted, been in quarantine, and had sports canceled or postponed because of the virus.

I read once somewhere that “you get what you expect.” I have always kept that quote in mind when I hire a new employee. If you are clear about your expectations up front, then performance improves because there is no doubt what one’s responsibilities are. As you read this, please know that our library’s mask requirement will be enforced. If you have a health issue that makes wearing a mask difficult, we will work with you to serve you, as mandated by the Ohio Department of Health. Please ask for myself or a manager if this situation relates to you.

I will close with this. The whole mask debate reminds me of what is known as Pascal’s Wager. Pascal was a 17th century French philosopher, theologian, and physicist who argued that a rational person should live their lives as if God exists and should seek to believe in God. If it turns out that God does not exist, then the worst case scenario is that an individual may have missed out on some luxuries or pleasures in life. They would have at least lived a good life. On the flip side, if it turns out there is a God, then the individual will receive “infinite gains,” as in eternal life, and avoid “infinite losses,” the opposite of eternal life. Believe me, I am not here to debate or proselytize or argue. I simply see a very similar parallel to today’s mask issue. Wearing a mask is the “rational” thing to do. If it turns out that the health benefits of wearing masks were meaningless, then at least you followed directions and were considerate of others. If it turns out that mask wearing does make a difference, then you were doing your part to help minimize the spread of the virus.

Thank you for your understanding on this matter! Together, we can keep each other safe so the library can remain open for all!

-Jim Gill

Director