Celebrate and build on literary identity

In mid-December, UNESCO named nine new Cities of Literature to its Creative Cities Network. It was the largest single growth spurt in the network's 11-year history - the number of Cities of Literature grew from 11 to 20, and the overall network from 69 to 116 - and it has led to some soul searching. What does it mean to be a City of Literature.

When Iowa City earned the designation in 2008, we were just the third City of Literature in the world, and one of 41 members of the network. That exclusivity was a big part of our community's identity as a City of Literature.

But as the network has grown, a focus on exclusivity has given way to emphasis on collaboration and cooperation, and we're the better for it. My organization manages the designation on behalf of the community, and we have these new elements on board as key components of my organization's operational goals.

That doesn't mean that we shouldn't be proud of our status. In the spirit of 'Iowa Brag,” we ought to do more as a community to draw attention to this designation, celebrate it, and leverage it. In 2016, we resolve to lead the charge, and hope others will follow.

Already, we are starting to see this, and it is a wonderful development.

It may seem like a small thing, but Iowa City adding 'A UNESCO City of Literature” to the banner on its homepage is a very tangible sign that we embrace our strengths and seek to leverage our status as the country's only City of Literature.

The city plans other things as well, including elements of the Riverfront Crossings Park that will celebrate literature and our status.

The Writer's House, a private non-profit designed to provide a home base for resident and visiting writers, shows that one need not wait for the city, the university, or my organization to take advantage of the UNESCO designation and find ways to use it for mutual benefit.

The Lens sculpture planned for the Pedestrian Mall is an ambitious, game-changing idea that, while not directly reflecting our City of Literature status, is certainly in keeping with the bold approach required. And it will be an asset to the City of Literature, offering very visible gathering place that can host readings or community discussions.

I often tell people that we didn't need UNESCO to tell us that we were a City of Literature; anyone involved in the daily life of this community knew that long ago. But the designation gives us a powerful tool with which to tell our story, to evangelize about our strengths to those who are unaware.

These ideas and more will help to shape the City of Literature for years to come, adding chapters to that story. But the potential beyond them is tremendous. Don't wait to play your part. In 2016, everyone should feel empowered to find ways to celebrate and benefit from this designation.

' John Kenyon is executive director of the City of Literature. More information: iowacityofliterature.org