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Info

About the Law Library

 

law_image
Law Library
State Capitol Building, Rm 200
1007 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA. 50319


Phone:
800-248-4483 or
515-281-5124
E-mail:
 Law.Library@iowa.gov

Hours: Remote Access ONLY

Contact a librarian Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

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Iowa Law Library Visitor Information

The Law Library space is temporarily closed to the public at this time. 

Until further notice, Law library services are currently available by remote access only from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The Law Library space is temporarily closed to walk-in public researchers and visitors.  

Ask a Librarian 

Legal reference services are available at 515-281-5124 or law.library@iowa.gov; and general reference services are available at 515-281-4102 or 1-866-248-4483, email at information.services@iowa.gov or chat with a librarian by clicking on the red chat bubble in the lower left hand corner of our webpage.

Westlaw

The Law Library's Westlaw public access computers have been moved to the Ola-Babcock Miller Building. Westlaw services are available by appointment only, during the hours of M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Make an appointment by calling 515-281-4102 or send an email request to information.services@iowa.gov.

Click here for information on accessing the Public Access Westlaw Computers.

Print Collection

The Law Library's print collection is closed to the public at this time. Search, find, and place a hold on items from within the State Library's online catalog or inquire about our holdings with a librarian at 515-281-4102 or email a request for an item to information.services@iowa.gov. Items will be retrieved and processed per request by library staff. 

 Wrought iron details on the staircase and railings.View of alcoves and tiers.image of bookslaw_imageFrom the bottom level, looking up at one of the iconic spiral staircases.ajsmall books

About the Law Library

The State Law Library of Iowa has been called one of the most impressive and beautiful libraries in the world. The law library moved to its current location on the second floor of the State Capitol Building in 1886.

The "Victorian styled" grand hall of the library is adorned with an intricately decorated tile floor which is paralleled by its ornately painted ceiling and stained glass inserts. Towering 45 feet in height, the entire library is flanked with book-lined alcoves. Two lacy wrought iron spiral staircases at opposite ends of the library connect the four tiers lined with shelves full of books; about 105,000 volumes in total.

The space continues to be a functioning library, providing Iowa lawmakers, government employees, the legal community, and the general public with a highly specialized legal collection of treatises, as well as state and federal statutory, regulatory, and case law. The collection also contains the abstracts and arguments of the Iowa Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, legal periodicals, and materials produced by the Iowa legislature. Research assistance is available.

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