HR0287 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0287 LRB094 11900 HSS 44414 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A retirement celebration is being held in honor of Robert F. Plotzke, Executive Director of Rolling Prairie Library System (RPLS) in Decatur, on June 21, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Plotzke holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin, a Master of Library Sciences from Florida State University, and an M.B.A. from East Tennessee State University; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Plotzke joined the Rolling Prairie Library System as Executive Director in October of 1978; since that time he has led the System through two remodeling programs, including taking a former Piggly Wiggly grocery building and transforming it into a modern, state-of-the-art office facility; he has guided Rolling Prairie Library System through many changes in its services as the role of the System has changed to meet the needs of its member libraries and the citizens of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, As more libraries were established within Rolling Prairie Library System's thirteen-county region, he moved the System away from being a provider of materials to a facilitator of resource sharing; he oversaw the development of the delivery system and several automation upgrades, which enabled RPLS libraries and their patrons to receive materials from other Rolling Prairie Library System libraries in a timely fashion; he provided leadership when library systems in Illinois were faced with severe funding challenges, enabling the System to continue to provide consulting, training, and leadership to Rolling Prairie Library System libraries; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Bob provided building construction consulting services to more than 40 public libraries in Illinois, working with library boards, librarians, and community leaders in planning new buildings, expansions, and remodeling; and

WHEREAS, He served as the President of the Illinois Library Association in 1986, on the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee, and as Treasurer of the Illinois Library System Directors Organization for the past four years; and

WHEREAS, Bob and his wife, Suzanne, have been married for 34 years; they have two grown children, Laurel and Michael; they are active members of East Park Baptist Church in Mt. Zion; in addition to all of the above activities, Bob has run in both the New York and Chicago Marathons; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Robert F. Plotzke on the occasion of his retirement after 27 years of service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Plotzke as an expression of our respect and esteem and with best wishes for a relaxing retirement.