Celebrating Rita Bennett’s 34+ Years at OhioNet

After nearly 35 years of dedicated service, Rita Bennett, OhioNet’s accounting assistant, will officially retire on January 31, 2025. Rita has been an essential part of OhioNet, providing steadfast support, accounting expertise, and a wealth of knowledge as OhioNet’s unofficial historian throughout the growth of our organization. 

Rita joined OhioNet in February 1990, and her work has been instrumental in ensuring the financial operations of the organization run smoothly. From managing complex accounting processes to supporting OhioNet’s partnerships and initiatives over the years, Rita’s attention to detail and dedication to our member libraries have left a lasting impact. Her expertise, warm presence, and sense of humor will be deeply missed by her colleagues and the library community she’s supported for over three decades. 

“Rita’s contributions to OhioNet over the years have been immeasurable,” said Katy Mathuews, OhioNet’s CEO and Executive Director. “Her unwavering commitment to our mission and her kind, thoughtful approach have made her a beloved member of our team and a trusted partner to our libraries. While we will greatly miss her, we are excited for this new chapter in her life and wish her nothing but the best as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement.” 

In retirement, Rita looks forward to tackling some major home renovations, spending time in her flower beds, and embracing the freedom to do whatever she pleases — including spontaneous trips to flea markets, auctions, and visits with family out of state. 

“I have enjoyed working with the library community all of these years, and the OhioNet staff, what a great group of people!” Rita shared. 

We invite our members and colleagues to join us in celebrating Rita’s retirement and wishing her the best in the years to come. If you’d like to share your memories or send a message of appreciation to Rita, please email communications manager Jillian Tuttle at [email protected].  

On behalf of everyone at OhioNet, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rita for her dedication to the OhioNet community and congratulations on her remarkable career. As we transition, any accounting-related inquiries can be directed to [email protected].