A Note from the

Executive Director

Our Address Has Changed 

We know our mailing address has shifted a few times over the past couple of years, and we want to keep you updated. As many of you know, NEO-RLS transitioned to remote work at the end of 2022. Since then, we’ve maintained storage space and a mailbox at the Geauga County Public Library Administrative building. With their upcoming move, we’ve relocated our storage to other partner libraries in the region (a big thank you to them!) and secured a more permanent mailing solution. 

Our new mailing address is: 

NEO-RLS 
P.O. Box 1021 
Twinsburg, OH 44087 

Please share this updated address with your fiscal officers and anyone else who may need it. We appreciate your continued support! 

Ragan 

Exciting Events & CE You Can’t Miss!

September

Public Relations and Marketing Active Learning Community Meeting

9/25/2025

Time Management: Overcoming Procrastination (I)

9/30/2025

October

 2025-2026 Leadership Academy (I)

10/1/2025

Cybersecurity for IT and Mangers (I)

10/2/2025

Training/Staff Development Active Learning Community Meeting

10/7/2025

Doing What Matters: Values in the Library (I)

10/8/2025

 Directors/Deputy Directors Active Learning Community Meeting

10/8/2025

Back to the Book XXIV: Blurred Lines: A Genre-Blending Discussion (I)

10/9/2025

Academic Library Directors Active Learning Community In-Person

10/10/2025

 Diversity, Equity, Inclusin & Accessibility Active Learning Community Meeting

10/14/2025

Beyond the Stamp - Your Role, Responsibilities, and Risks as an Ohio Notary Public-Canfield

10/14/2025

Beyond the Stamp - Your Role, Responsibilities, and Risks as an Ohio Notary Public-North Canton

10/15/2025

Marketing and Outreach: Creating Engagement and Awareness (I)

10/15/2025

Circulation Active Learning Community Meeting

10/15/2025

Beyond the Stamp - Your Role, Responsibilities, and Risks as an Ohio Notary Public-Shaker Heights

10/16/2025

A Deeper Dive into the Science of Reading-Repeated (I)

10/16/2025

Holding My Own: Lessons Learned as a Neurodivergent Library Leader (I)

10/21/2025

Safe Space - LGBTQ+ Cultural Competence Training (F)

10/23/2025

NEO-RLS Open House -Featuring Mychal Threets

10/28/2025

Book Discussion Active Learning Community Meeting

10/29/2025

Thriving at Work: Practical Strategies for Better Days in the Library (F)

10/30/2025

Construction and Facilities Active Learning Community

10/30/2025

November

Time Management: Eliminating Time Wasters and Staying Organized (I)

11/4/2025

Adult Services Active Learning Community Meeting

11/4/2025

Supporting Neurodivergent Library Users (I)

11/12/2025

Building Strong Volunteer Programs: Library & Friends Group Perspectives (F)

11/13/2025

Youth Services (Children & Teen) Active Learning Community Meeting

11/13/2025

IT Active Learning Community Meeting

11/18/2025

December

Guided Reading Round Table (GRRT): Historical Literary Fiction

12/2/2025

You’re Not Alone: The Power of Peer Support in Management (I)

12/4/2025

Outreach Active Learning Community Meeting

12/9/2025

The Power of Storytelling and Empathy-Centered Communication (I)

12/10/2025

Special Libraries Active Learning Community Meeting

12/10/2025

Life Art: A New Horizon, Library Edition (I)

12/11/2025

Look for Your NEO-RLS 2026-2027 Letter of Intent in October

Fall is here, and that means it’s time to start looking ahead to the next membership year. Directors will receive Letters of Intent for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) via email next month. As our budget planning begins in January, we kindly request that you submit your completed Letter of Intent by December 31, 2025.

Your membership is vital—not only to NEO-RLS, but to libraries across our region. It allows us to continue offering a strong schedule of continuing education opportunities and valuable services to support your staff and community. Thank you for your continued commitment and partnership!

Free Furniture Available 

As NEO-RLS transitions out of our office space in Chardon, Ohio, we have free furniture pieces available for pick up. See photos on our website.

• Metal Filing Cabinet
• Metal Filing Cabinet with Broken Lock
• Hutch
• Metal Cabinet

If your library is interested in any of the items listed above, please contact Ragan Snead at ragan.snead@neo-rls.org. Pieces must be picked up by September 30, 2025.

The State Library of Ohio to Host a Talking Book Program Webinar: Free Library Service for Patrons Who Are Blind or Print Disabled

Join Talking Books Supervisor Angelyn Hellman for information on how to enhance reading experiences with accessible options for Ohio residents. In this webinar you will discover the free national reading program designed for individuals of all ages who are blind or print disabled. This webinar is offered at no cost to attend and will provide an overview of eligibility criteria, application processes, and the organizations that make this program possible in Ohio. 

When: Friday, October 17, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (EST)

The focus of the presentation will be a demonstration of the talking book players, featuring the latest player released this year, as well as the braille eReader device. Public, academic, and school library staff, as well as personnel from any organization that serves individuals with visual, physical, or reading disabilities are encouraged to attend. 

Register here to receive a URL to join the webinar. 

Cybersecurity Incident Reporting Effective Sept. 30

A reminder that starting September 30, ORC 9.64 requires local government entities to report cybersecurity incidents to the Ohio Cyber Integration Center within 7 days, and the Auditor of State within 30 days.

To report an incident: 

OCIC's Cyber Incident Reporting Guide

Auditor of State's Cybersecurity Reporting Form

OCIC has published detailed guidance on determining what qualifies as a reportable cybersecurity incident; see the FAQ at the end for specific examples. 

Mandatory reporting is intended to help the State of Ohio track threats to local government. Incident reports to OCIC are covered by a non-disclosure agreement, and reports to both OCIC and AoS are not public records. Other provisions in ORC 9.64, including a requirement that public entities create and maintain a security readiness plan, take effect for public libraries on July 1, 2026. Find links to more resources at https://www.oplin.ohio.gov/security.

Warren-Trumbull County Public LIbrary Says Aloha to New Branch

The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library celebrated the grand opening of its new library branch located inside the Eastwood Mall with a luau-themed party on September 13. Guests toured the new library, could sign up for a library card, and enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at the mall. 

To learn more about this project and see photos from the celebration visit the NEO-RLS Library Spotlight page.

Email our Marketing & Engagement Coordinator Jill at jill.grunenwald@neo-rls.org if you have a story from your library you want to share. 

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Northeast Ohio Regional Library System | P.O. Box 1021 | Twinsburg, OH 44087