Colleen Gocken, who has worked on PALNI’s shared system since its inception in 1992, will retire at the end of November.  MCLS wishes Colleen well in her retirement, and we extend our thanks to her for the vital role she played in implementation and administration of the PALNI project.

Colleen began her library career in 1986 after receiving her library degree from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.  But she actually began her relationship with libraries in high school when she participated in Library Club for four years (two years as President).  When she began working in Technical Services at Waubonsee Community College in 1971, everyone said “well, of course!”  Prior to working at INCOLSA and MCLS, she was at CCLA,(College Center for Library Automation) in Tallahassee, FL, Inlex, Inc. (ILS vendor) in Monterey, CA, and Waubonsee Community College, in Sugar Grove, IL.

As for what comes next, Colleen, in her letter to the PALNI Executive Committee, writes, “”It is my dream that I can now spend additional time with my family and enjoy my holidays a little more.  I am not sure my husband is ready for me to be at home full time, but he will just have to cope.  What are my plans?  I will have a cleaner house, I hope, and my yard will get some much needed TLC.  I might even have some time to take up quilting again.  Ana thinks it might be fun to have me come volunteer at her school, something that I have never had time for.  I will be happy to send you my complete list of  ‘Things I want to Do’ if you would like.  Beyond that, I may find something part-time to keep my brain functioning and burn off a little of the excess enthusiasm and I am sure there are volunteer groups that need my brand of quirkiness.”

Colleen has been key to the success of PALNI’s shared system and has contributed innumerable hours to keeping the system up and running in tip-top shape. The whole organization is richer for the work she has done and contributions she has made.  One of her staff members, Jeanne Hickling, sums it up well, saying, “Colleen has been a wonderful person to work with, full of wisdom and insight.  I consider myself fortunate to have had her as my boss.  I wish her all the best, and may all her quilting corners line up perfectly the first time!”

Colleen – congratulations and thanks for many years of service!