[Michlib-l] Remembering Fran Pletz

Fri Dec 6 16:02:05 EST 2013

Fran was an inspiration to all of us who were lucky to be under her tutelage while she was the executive director of MLA.  She taught us how to advocate for libraries and promote the great things we do in our communities.  She came to Orion shortly before I retired and was so complimentary about our building and services- it was a visit to be treasured.  I owe so much to her and am glad I could call her my good friend.  Her legacy will continue through the librarians she taught, the legislation she babied through passage and her service to the Library of Michigan.  She will be sorely missed.  Linda Sickles 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cindy Krueger (DNR)" <KruegerC at michigan.gov> 
To: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org 
Sent: Friday, December 6, 2013 9:19:32 AM 
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Remembering Fran Pletz 

Fran was such a dear sweet soul, she will be missed. When I worked in the Library of Michigan public information office she would always stop by for a visit. I believe she was a friend of the mother of public information officer John Rummel, for those of you who might remember him. She always made me feel like a long lost friend and would often give me a hug when she saw me. She could be tough when she needed to be but she was also a very kind and caring lady. 

Cindy Krueger 
DNR Marketing & Outreach Div. 

Mobile & Web Development Specialist 

517-284-6053 <New number 
kruegerc at michigan.gov 

Make a tax deductible donation through Help Feed the Hungry to provide healthy meals to families in need. www.michigan.gov/estore 

From: michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mail.mcls.org] On Behalf Of Metta Lansdale 
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 6:44 PM 
To: Sally D. Arrivee 
Cc: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org 
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Remembering Fran Pletz 

I am sorry not to have known Fran.  I look forward to more stories. More. More.  

Metta T Lansdale, Jr. 

Director, Traverse Area District Library 

231-313-8698 

On Dec 5, 2013, at 4:51 PM, "Sally D. Arrivee" < arrivee at madison-hgts.lib.mi.us > wrote: 

I was introduced to Fran by my director, Frank Hemphill, when I was head of Children's Services at Portage Public (now District) Library.  Her good humor, wise council and friendship is something I've cherished all my professional career of now 40+ years.  She mentored me in the ways of getting a bill passed, understanding who and who not to work with in the legislature (that after some seven years on MLA's legislative committee), and library politics in general.  I was fortunate enough to keep in touch with her all these years and now will regret not getting up to Charlevoix to see her last summer.  

Fran was indeed the First Lady of Libraries in Michigan and had a sterling reputation nationally as well.  The trips to Dallas where we dubbed her Sarge and Momma Pletz, the one trip to San Francisco where she booked the wrong hotel, but was caught in time and saved the day, sharing Mr. Wilson's bedroom and fabulous shower at a MLA leadership conference one year, and learning how to get relief from sore feet after walking all over Capitol Hill at a national Legislative Day are just some of the happy and funny times I had with Fran Pletz.  To say that she will be missed is an understatement. 

Sally Arrivee 
Head Reference Librarian 
Madison Heights Public Library 
----- Original Message -----

Indeed it is sad news.... she was an amazing lady, board member and friend to all, and the queen of library friends and supporters.  I am not sure how I would have managed as a board member if I had not had Fran to sit next to and learn from at those first years of meetings.  She educated me on how to be the best board member I could be....  but I couldn't begin to be as good as she was.   I know that I am not the only person she mentored and befriended either....  she will be dearly missed.  

Bettina Graber 

On 12/5/2013 1:23 PM, Robertson, Nancy (MDE) wrote: 

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