Dec 27, 2007 6:58 pm US/Central
Mpls., St. Paul Top List Of Most Literate Cities
(WCCO)
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The study ranked the 69 largest U.S. cities. It focused on six key indicators of literacy: newspaper circulation, library resources, number of bookstores, periodical publishing resources, educational attainment, and Internet resources.
CBS
St. Paul is getting some national attention as a
bright spot for reading. According a study from Central Connecticut State
University, the city has climbed steadily, jumping to third place this year in
a list of America's Most Literate Cities.
Minneapolis is ranked first and Seattle is
second. Those two cities have traded those spots for years.
"St. Paul is also a noteworthy exception to a
troubling longer-term trend," said researcher Jack Miller.
He sees a decrease in "literate behaviors,"
like support for bookstores and circulation of newspapers, despite higher
levels of education.
St. Paul was the only city in the U.S. where Sunday
newspaper circulation increased. Cleveland, Indianapolis, Louisville and
St. Paul also saw increases in their weekday newspaper circulation.
The study ranked the 69 largest U.S. cities. It
focused on six key indicators of literacy: newspaper circulation, library
resources, number of bookstores, periodical publishing resources, educational
attainment, and Internet resources.
In terms of libraries, St. Paul has seen great
success. It added a library branch and increased circulation by 20 percent
between 2004 and 2007. The libraries also increased their internet and wireless
services. Almost 350,000 more people went to St. Paul Public libraries in
2007 compared to 2006.
Librarian Joanna Brookes attributes that jump to more
people wanting to use the Internet. She also said the libraries are
offering more options to people from different cultures. Spanish
pocketbooks and Japanese comic books have been popular with people who are
learning English.
"I do think people are interested in reading if
they are able to find the reading information they are look for," she
said.
Before the Arlington Hills library opened at 12:30
Thursday afternoon, 10 kids waited in line outside. Brookes said the city
has poured money in early childhood literacy programs, summer reading programs
and tutoring in libraries.
"What we're really focused on is just being relevant to
the people that use us," she said.
Student Jacob Whaley said he reads one to two hours
everyday. He doesn't use the library, but buys his books. He said
lots of his friends go to the internet for their information. He likes the
old-fashioned newspaper in a town where newspaper circulation is up.
"I don't read the Sunday paper very much. I
usually sleep in. Don't get it, but when I do I like the comics mostly, that and sports. I have
to read that everyday," he said.
For more information on the study, click here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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