[Michlib-l] Remembering Fran Pletz

Fri Dec 6 19:25:57 EST 2013

How delightful to read these treasured memories of Fran. Like Roger, I knew Fran since the early 70s (when MLA offices were on the second story of a building and above a dentist's office). She was an instructive mentor and I am so thankful that she and Elizabeth Lindsey decided to "bring me up right." They shared a rich sense of humor and boisterous laughs; smart as the crack of a whip (which both of these ladies could also do!); persistent as the progress in our field required in those days (some things don't seem to change); and above all, deeply committed to the promises of all that libraries could offer their communities if they were funded. Pillars of our profession!
Thank you for the memories to both those we have lost and to those who shared their warm heartfelt remembrances. Yours, Cindy Lou Poquette

----- Original Message -----
From: Roger Mendel <rmendel at northland.lib.mi.us>
To: Cindy Krueger (DNR) <KruegerC at michigan.gov>
Cc: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Sent: Fri, 06 Dec 2013 11:42:46 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Remembering Fran Pletz

My association with Fran goes back to 1970.  She was a strong advocate for libraries and for improving state aid for public libraries.  Her lobbying efforts produced an increase in state aid, the establishment of the cooperatives and improving the status and influence of the Library of Michigan with its move to the Legislative Services Bureau.  

She was a fun person to be around.  I remember many a dance at MLA functions.  With Fran you always knew where you stood.  We need legions of "Frans". Thank you Fran, may you rest in peace after a job well done.

Roger
----- Original Message -----
From: Cindy Krueger (DNR) <KruegerC at michigan.gov>
To: michlib-l at mail.mcls.org
Sent: Fri, 06 Dec 2013 09:19:32 -0500 (EST)
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<mailto:kruegerc at michigan.gov>

Make a tax deductible donation through Help Feed the Hungry<http://media.state.mi.us/MichiganEStore/public/ProductDetails.aspx?categoryId=7&productId=269> to provide healthy meals to families in need. www.michigan.gov/estore<http://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<mailto: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
________________________________
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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-- 
Roger Mendel,Director
Northland Library Cooperative
220 W. Clinton St.
Charlevoix, MI  49720   send mail to Northland c/o 111 E. Parson Street Alpena, MI  49707
231-855-2206
rmendel at northland.lib.mi.us         PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
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