Seattle as Most Literate City is No Surprise

According to a recent poll by Central Connecticut State University, the Emerald City of Seattle now shares a close second to Minneapolis, Minnesota for most literate city in the US. The researchers based their decision upon newspaper circulation among city populations, number of book stores, use of libraries and utilization of periodicals and other reading materials. It raises the question what would cause this Pacific Northwest city, home to grunge, coastal rainforests, Microsoft and the iconic Space Needle rise to such intellectual and literate logistics?

THE WEATHER

Although Seattle does get a fair share of rain and windy-weather shut-ins, they also have a huge population of outdoor enthusiasts. If Seattlites are not out on their boats in Puget Sound, they are skiiing up at the mountain passes, hiking or horse-back riding over the back country or simply digging the scenic views from their backyard barbeques. With so much outdoor entertainment to choose from in the Great Northwest, these folks still prefer to make reading a priority and as a former resident I can honestly say it is because Seattle makes reading a fundamental part of their culture. Reading is fun-damental and considered a cool thing to be doing and why you see so many residents reading while standing at the checkout, while commuting on the bus to work or while eating lunch in the cafeterias and outdoor coffee shops. Espresso and literate expression simply go hand-in-hand.

THE LIBERALS

Many say Seattle is predominantly liberal in their ideology and reading is simply expanding their horizons. Just because a population is independent, creative and nouveau riche does not necessarily make them liberal politically. Washington State politicians still have to answer to the eastern part of the state and the Inland Northwest ranchers, farmers and industrial entrepreneurs who travel extensively to Seattle and do business with folks there. We did not elect a former wrestler, Jesse the body Ventura, to political office like Minnesota nor did we event such conservative down-home radio programs like Prarie Home Companion. What Seattle does support are authors, writers, publishers, book sellers, and readers of all generations and kinds, book-signings, book readings and institutions which make liberal arts not only an important part of education, but an essential part of character formation and vital to life and liberty. Remember, it was under this intellectually-free umbrella that guys like Bill Gates, Sherman Alexie and Dale Chihuly were allowed to flourish. Freedom of expression in art and speech and literature as well as financial capitalism are the hallmarks or should be of the American culture.

THE BOOKSTORES

People in Seattle pride themselves on the books they have read and own and shelve and share. I have never worked anywhere nor lived anywhere that these folks did not create some kind of a supportive paperback lending library in their social or common rooms - you can even find quality reading material in waiting rooms. Seattle is home to one of the country's biggest online bookstores, Amazon.com and supports the finest antiquarian collectors. Almost every bookstore has some kind of cash-for-books program where even textbooks are considered legitimate gain. The smaller stores will always provide credit for recycling and give credit where credit is due for first printings, autographed copies or rare books because they are knowledgeable about what constitutes good literature. They also support new playwriters, screenwriters and theatre arts as well as children's books and story hours.

THE UNIVERSITIES AND LIBRARIES

Seattle, and their neighbors, are home to some of the finest schools in the nation. The universities support their students and academic professors by providing the tools needed for research and outreach. I have never attended any academic institution or city library that was not 100 percent supportive of its readers. They did this by making it easy to obtain library cards, navigate one's way around a large collection of books, tapes and videos, ordered from another library or even purchased books that were made by special request, keeping a large selection of periodicals and newspapers available, maintaining order over internet use while allowing flexible freedom for patrons to explore, and even provided vans to transport people to the libraries or delivered books to shut-ins at home. Every Liberal Arts wing of a college had a fair budget which allowed the professors time to write, to arrange for readings and book signings and the book stores were free to stock the professor's personal books no matter how obscure or complex or controversial the content of the material may have been.

THE WRITERS AND READERS

Seattle and their wonderful neighbors to the south in Portland definitely take care of their own. Because they have a genuine love of literature they provide funding, grants, in-house publishing, even housing and food and honorariums to those writers who need time and space to create. No topic is off limits from the Discovery Institute think-tank to the Freedom From Religion Foundation who were allowed to post an atheistic placard in the Capitol Building. No type of book, hard back or paper bound is exempt, no censors are going to come bearing down to edit away creative thought and expression. Everyone is encouraged to make application for writer retreats and workshops. Writers support one another by being there - at the signings, at the speeches and at the bookstore when sadly the books go into the half-price bins. Seattle even has an Artist Trust which provides legal assistance, copyright information, lists of governmental grants and application deadlines for application to humanitarian awards for arts and letters. Avid readers support the writers by purchasing their work.

I do not know about Minneapolis who ended up 1.5 on the list alongside Seattle with 1.5, thereby sharing the lead in this literate top-ten list, but Seattle well deserves the recognition because they love literature. Well done. You can find the full results of the literacy poll here: www.ccsu.edu/amlc08