Library Services and the Law Library

The State Library's subject specialists can help public library reference staff or customers with in-depth medical, legal, and government questions, or questions about Iowa's population. Public library staff can contact us directly or refer customers to us via email, live chat or our toll-free number, 1-800-248-4483. Our services include:

•    Two locations with reference services are available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Main Library focuses on information about Iowa and Iowa government agencies and their services, and also offers live chat reference. The Law Library specializes in information about Iowa laws. Librarians and/or their patrons are encouraged to contact our reference services for assistance.

•    A number of specialized collections including government and management materials, legal materials, the Iowa Collection, state and federal documents, and the A.J. Small Special Collection. Search our online catalog to find what is available.

•    Online Resources for card holders which includes access to the Des Moines Register and the Iowa City Press Citizen, EBSCOhost, and the Digital Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Iowa.

•    The State Documents Depository Program works with 29 libraries across Iowa to ensure access to Iowa’s important state documents.  It also makes state documents available to all librarians and their patrons, either through interlibrary loan or via the online depository, Iowa Publications Online.

For more information about Library Services visit For Iowans. To contact us go to Ask a Librarian.