Dr. Thomas Flechtner is a citizen who believes in libraries. He has been on the faculty of Cleveland State University for 26 years, and has long been a supporter of libraries. He frequently has helped other faculty set up ways to use resources in teaching. Through his efforts, use of the library had been enhanced and participation in Friends activities has grown. A member, board member, and officer of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights and Cleveland State University Friends of the Library groups, Flechtner has been a leader in supporting libraries.

The Cleveland State University Friends was dormant in 1995 and 1996, but began its revitalization in January 1997. Dr. Flechtner's dedication and perseverance has been instrumental in bringing the Friends into the spotlight, not only on campus but in the Cleveland community as well. Since early 1997, the Friends have taken faculty, staff, students, and Friends members on a tour of the new Louis Stokes wing of the Cleveland Public Library; sponsored the Scholars and Artists Reception; and had a book talk by Maria Doria Russell. Recently the Friends sponsored a slide show, entitled "Cleveland in Picture Postcards," which drew the attention of the Cleveland community.

The Friends are co-sponsoring a reception celebrating the acquisition by Cleveland State University Library of the Marquis de Lafayette papers on microfilm, which will draw worldwide attention. Dr. Flechtner has always played an important part in these events, from being on the planning committee to working behind the scenes.

For his commitment to the Friends of the Library at Cleveland Heights-University Heights and at Cleveland State University, we honor Dr. Thomas W. Flechtner as 1998 Citizen of the Year.