Reference Help

The State Library's subject specialists can help public library reference staff or customers with in-depth medical, legal, government, patent or trademark questions, or questions about Iowa's population. Public library staff can contact us directly or refer customers to us via email or our toll-free number.

For medical questions contact the Medical Library:

515-281-5572   or   800-248-4483

Email:   medical.library@lib.state.ia.us
Or fill out the medical reference form: Medical and Health Information Reference Form

For legal questions contact the Law Library:

515-281-5124   or   800-248-4483
Email:   law.library@lib.state.ia.us
Or fill out the legal reference form: Law Library Reference Question Form

For questions about Iowa's population contact the State Data Center:

515-281-4102   or   800-248-4483
Email:  census@lib.state.ia.us
Or fill out the census reference form: State Data Center Reference Form

For government, management, patents or trademarks questions contact the Government and Management Library:

515-281-4102   or   800-248-4483
Email: is@lib.state.ia.us
Or fill out the reference form:  Ask a Librarian! General Question Form

Online Resources

Any Iowan with a State Library card may take advantage of the State Library's online resources. Use your card number to access NewsBank, which has full text access to six of Iowa's largest newspapers and additional databases in EBSOhost that you may not have access to at your library. To find these resources click here, or go to the State Library's home page and click on "Log in to Online Resources" in the left sidebar.