City of Letters - Literacy: the Good Word in Salinas

Literacy: the Good Word in SalinasMonterey Herald: January 10, 2010 by Marc Cabrera

For economic development and growth, Salinas mayor Dennis Donohue is looking toward an unlikely source — the written word.

The concept is a "City of Letters," an idea that the Salinas Public Library and National Steinbeck Center have collaborated on for a year, after receiving a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The city branded itself a "City of Letters" in 2009 in reference to the dictionary definition of letters, which is literature, learning and knowledge.

With the IMLS grant, they have developed programming through the library to promote literacy in the community.

Another part of the grant is to develop community-based initiatives with the intention of attracting commerce from outside the city.

Donohue's vision with the "City of Letters" concept is a literary district, possibly near Oldtown Salinas, that would include everything from a library-themed hotel to a performing arts venue, and, perhaps, that elusive big box bookstore. READ MORE !