This app is apropos

UI development team launches Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature iPhone app

The University of Iowa Writing University has released a new iPhone app that focuses on the writing tradition of the University of Iowa and Iowa City, a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature iPhone app is the inaugural project of the University of Iowa UNESCO City of Literature Mobile Application Development Team, an interdisciplinary group of UI faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students from the Departments of English and Computer Science; the Schools of Library and Information Science and Art and Art History; and the staff of the Virtual Writing University.

Download the app at itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-iowa-city-unesco-city/id396516495?mt=8.

"This is the first iPhone app of its kind among the 25 members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and has moved Iowa City into a leadership position in that network," says Jeanette Pilak, executive director, Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature. "I was in Korea for a UNESCO forum and, I must say, the 'hot lick' of the entire forum was not all the economic development and cultural tourism buzz, but how Iowa City had moved from 'best practices' to 'next practices.'"

The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature app—"City of Lit"—features information on Iowa City's rich literary history, highlighting authors and local sites of interest. Visitors can guide themselves around town in literary style. The app offers maps of Iowa City, with embedded electronic "brass plaques" indicating a variety of unique locations: where historic readings took place, where authors wrote and lived, and the legendary taverns and haunts where writers gathered to argue and discuss.

Author profiles and biographical and bibliographic information are complemented with audio and video clips.

The app also features “News” and “Events” tabs that are constantly updated with reports from Iowa City, including goings-on around town, readings, book launches, films, and lectures. New authors and materials are frequently added to the app. Additional interactive features are planned for future updates of the app.