Legal & Library Law
Navigating the laws related to libraries in Iowa can be challenging. Ensuring that a library is following federal, state, and local laws is essential to promoting a safe and equitable environment for library staff and users.
The State Library provides legal reference services and answers questions related to laws and how they affect and apply to libraries. Note that the librarians and consultants can only provide insight into what the current laws state and cannot provide legal advice related to a library's specific situation. Libraries should contact their city or county attorneys for legal advice.
Contact the Law Library
The State Law Library is available by phone or email during business hours. Librarians can also browse the database of Library Law FAQs at the right to see if a question has already been answered.
- Email: Law.Library@iowa.gov
- Phone: 515-281-5124
People's Law Library of Iowa
The People’s Law Library of Iowa is a new legal resource website providing easy to understand information on topics related to Iowa’s laws. The People's Law Library of Iowa can be a resource for librarians to provide patrons when they have legal questions.
The website includes information on legal topics such as consumer law, family law, and landlord/tenant law, as well as guidance on researching legal issues, a glossary of more than 100 legal terms, and more.
Funding for the People’s Law Library of Iowa came from a portion of the State Library’s allotment from the American Rescue Plan Act. The University of Iowa Law Library spearheaded the effort to develop content for the website, with the State Library providing administrative support and contracting for the website design services.
An agreement has been made to extend the partnership between the State Library and University of Iowa Law Library, and additional legal topics will be added to the website in the future.
Visit and bookmark the People’s Law Library website at:
People’s Law Library Promotional Materials
Libraries can help spread the word about the People’s Law Library. Download a poster and handbill at the bottom of the page linked below to print and display for your community. Additional materials are in the process of being developed.
The People’s Law Library of Iowa is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa.