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Metaethics and How to Be Kinder

“Metaethics is the study of moral thought and moral language. Rather than addressing questions about  what practices are right or wrong – metaethics asks what morality actually is.” 

This Book Will Make You Kinder – an Empathy Handbook by Henry James Garrett. The book asks two  questions; 

• Why are you kind at all? 

• Why aren’t you kinder? 

Henry James Garrett is an amazing cartoonist and writer with a background in metaethics. His book is  insightful, especially at this time in history and current events. He speaks of moral kindness, illustrated  by poignant cartoons. 

If you move too fast, you don't notice all the opportunities there are to be kind.

“How can we be our best and kindest selves for the people around us and the society we need to build?” 

This book is about empathy and the softening of hearts. It is a book about putting ourselves in other  people’s shoes. 

You + This Book  = You, But Kinder 

This author explores the limitations that we all have, but asks that we work toward being our best. This  book is timely and insightful and hits a human truth that we need to address. 

– Jan Ridenour, Technical services


Women’s History Month

"My Mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent." - Ruth Bader Ginsberg

When you think of Historical Women in History, who comes to mind?

  • Marie Curie: a two time Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and Psychics.
  • Elenanor Rossevelt: America’s First Lady for 12 years. Later, she served as U.S. delegate to the United Nations where she was instrumental in securing passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.   
  • Malala Yousafzai: As a young girl, she defied the Taliban in Pakistan and demanded that girls be allowed to receive an education. She was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 but survived. In 2014, she became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.


These women and endless others have helped pave a path for generations of women to come. Congress declared March of 1987 to become the first official Women’s History Month. Since then we have welcomed and celebrated women and all of their fine achievements that make us stand out above and beyond. 

Here’s a short quiz!

1. The first African American to win an Academy Award was a woman.   True or False?     

2. The world’s first novel was written by a woman.     True Or False?     

3. What woman served as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, freeing hundreds of southern slaves and leading them to safety in the North? A $40,000 reward was offered for her capture. 

Scroll down for the answers. No cheating!

"I've neem absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." - Georgia O'Keeffe
  1. True! Hattie McDaniel won a best supporting actress award for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939)
  2. True! Most scholars consider  The Tale of Genji to be the world’s first novel. It was written c. 1010 CE by Murasaki Shikibu.
  3. Harriett Tumbman

Now go on to find a woman and thank her for her strength in this world that is still an uphill battle for women’s rights.

-Ellen Lint, Library Assistant


My Friends at NASA

This Spring, I have had the wonderful opportunity of working with professionals at the NASA Glenn Research Center to bring the Make it NASA: What Will it Take to Live on Mars? program to the Dover Middle School’s afterschool group, Study Plus.

As part of this program, (Learn more here!) we were able to speak to a young NASA engineer Thursday afternoon about careers in STEM professions and what it’s like working for NASA.

What is STEM? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. I personally prefer STEAM, which adds Art to that mix.

STEM professions could be anything from doctors to engineers to architects.

Our NASA contact started us off by talking about her background and what she wanted to do when she grew up. Shockingly, our friend originally wanted to be a lawyer, but she soon found a love of mathematics that led her to a career in engineering.

Now she works with the Icing Research Tunnel, which simulates conditions where ice occurs on aircraft in order to test parts and develop ice protection systems.

Students got to ask all kinds of questions, from how astronauts get into the International Space Station to if there is any other planet like Earth in our galaxy and if we would ever colonize the moon.

We even talked about Minecraft. Turns out our engineer friend at NASA is a gamer.

This was a great opportunity and a really fun afternoon! I am so grateful to NASA Glenn for their outreach to schools and libraries as well as their flexibility and kindness. A very special thanks to them and to Dover Middle School for making this great connection happen!

Stay tuned to hear how the rest of the Make it NASA: What Will it Take to Live on Mars? project goes!

-Liz Strauss, Teen/Outreach Services Manager


Library Levy Q&A with Jim Gill

Hello friends! You may have heard the Dover Public Library’s 1.0 mill operating levy is up for renewal on the May 4, 2021 election ballot.  I wanted to share a few facts about the levy in case you had questions:


Is the library levy a renewal?

Yes, the library is on the ballot to RENEW its 1-mil, 5-year operating levy. The levy is not a tax increase.

How much money will the levy raise?

The levy will generate $351,000 annually for the library, which is 30% of its operating budget.

Funding of the Dover Public Library Pie Chart. 55% State Funding, 30% Levy Funding, 10% Donations, 5% Miscellaneous,. with 30% Levy Funding Circled


How much will the levy cost me?

The levy will cost $2.07 per month (or $24.84 per year) for the owner of a home valued at $100,000.


What will the funds be used for?

Levy funds will be used for the library’s operating expenses, which include the purchase of materials, programming for all ages, and other services to the community such as:

  • Storytimes for children and outreach to local schools and preschools
  • Teen-centered programming for grades 6-12
  • Author events and book signings
  • Free meeting room space
  • Internet access, WIFI, and computer classes
  • Notary services
  • Spanish translation assistance
  • Delivery of materials to homebound and senior residences
  • Free online classes, databases, eBooks, and more!

Who will be voting on the levy?

Property owners who live in the Dover City School District within Dover Township (including Dover City) will be voting on the levy.

What happens if the library’s levy does not pass?

Without levy funding, the library will have to make cuts beginning in 2022, including changing hours, staffing, reducing the amount of new materials and reducing the number of programs and services.


Where can I register to vote?

You can register to vote at the Dover Public Library or at the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections: https://www.boe.ohio.gov/tuscarawas/  The deadline to register to vote is April 5, 2021.


When does early voting begin?

Early and absentee voting begins April 6, 2021.


What is the issue number for the library’s levy?

The library’s levy renewal is Issue 9 on the election ballot.


Who does the Dover Public Library serve?

The Dover Public Library is an independent public library committed to serving the residents of Dover and Dover Township.  However, the Library is also proud of the fact that many of its registered borrowers reside outside of Dover and Dover Township.  The Dover Public Library is open to all.


Feel free to contact me any time if you have any questions about the library’s levy renewal.  You can contact me at 330-343-6123 or by email at director@doverlibrary.org.


Jim Gill

Director

Dover Public Library


Friday is for Art Videos

It’s Friday! That means there are new episodes from three of my favorite artists on YouTube.

The artist I’ve been watching the longest is Rin. Her channel is called “Drawing Wiff Waffles.” What inspires me about Rin is her unique way of looking at things. She is always trying to learn something new, filling pages in her sketchbook with everything from zoo animals to flowers with every kind of art supply from highlighters to acrylic paints. Many of her videos start with an unboxing of an art or stationery subscription box, and she lets these surprise materials inspire her to create something new. Last week’s video even inspired me to draw a city scene.

The next artist on my list is Moriah Elizabeth, who is best known for fixing and painting squishies. Yes, squishies. Those memory foam toys that everyone is crazy about. Moriah Elizabeth has a collection of these things that she is slowly but surely working her way through. She cuts them apart, glues them back together, and paint them to make her own unique creations. I think my favorite is this masterpiece involving a giant donut.

Finally, the artist who I started following the most recently is Jackie, known as NerdECrafter. The videos that I enjoy the most from NerdECrafter are her fantastic Cash or Trash craft kit reviews. These videos are always entertaining, especially when she gets her sister involved, like this one involving a cotton candy machine. If you’re shopping for a craft kit or want some ideas for an activity, she’s just the person to give you an honest opinion.

Whether it’s making something I’ve never made before, learning about a new skill, or drawing along, I know each Friday is going to inspire me to create.

And if these three channels aren’t your style, there’s always Bob Ross.

Draw on!

-Liz Strauss, Teen/Outreach Services Manager


Flowers in the Snow

I recently read a fiction book by Danielle Stewart called Flowers in the Snow, I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more in the series. 

As the story begins, the main character Betty receives a letter from a childhood friend and this sets in motion the retelling of her childhood to her family. 

She grew up in a time when black people were not welcome among white people. She struggles with this because she believes everyone should be treated equal.

Then by chance, she makes friends with a young black girl, Alma, and her family. She soon learns of all the hardships and abuse the blacks have endured. She visits with them as often as she can. They become like family to her, more so than her own. 

As the schools start to allow black people, Alma’s mother becomes a teacher at the school where Betty attends, and of course is treated unfairly.

A few years later, there is trouble at a school dance. It involves the Klan, and several people were killed, black and white people alike. Some who were close to Betty.

Eventually Alma and her family move away, but they keep in touch through letter writing. As the years go by they continue to write and in one of the letters that is written to Betty, she finds out some news that is shocking and wonderful all at the same time. It involves the night of the dance many years ago. 

Sorry, no spoilers!!

-Wendy Contini, Technical Services Manager


Welcome to our Newest Board Member: Courtney Shanower

Last Fall, the Board of Trustees said goodbye to long-time member Julie Warther as she embarked on the next chapter of her life away from Dover, Ohio. Now, we welcome new member: Courtney Shanower! So who is Courtney Shanower? Read on and find out!

Family

Husband- Rock

Human children – Rigsby and Wilde

Beastly children – Yoko, Claudette, and Ghengis

What made you decide to join the Board of Trustees?

I have so much gratitude for how the Dover Public Library has impacted my life personally as well as my family’s. I also feel as if just maybe service is my personal Dharma.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Tangible human reconnection for families as well as community. I could also be hopeful for a second season of Bridgerton!

Who is your favorite author?

Currently, Neil Gaiman; Bréne Brown is a perennial favorite.

What do you do in your spare time?

Legitimately, reading is my favorite, followed by taking kitten naps.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I have 7 tattoos.

Text or Talk?

Text

Last Song You Listened to?

No Body, No Crime” by Taylor Swift, featuring Haim

Thank you for sharing your answers with us, Courtney and welcome to the Board of Trustees!