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State Library Launches Online Legal Resource For Iowans

People’s Law Library of Iowa will Help Iowans Understand and Navigate Legal Topics

Today the State Library, in partnership with the University of Iowa Law Library, officially launched the People’s Law Library of Iowa, a new legal resource website providing easy to understand information on topics related to Iowa’s laws. 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. “We are thrilled to provide this resource to Iowans,” said State Librarian Michael Scott. “Our goal with the People’s Law Library of Iowa is to provide a trusted, reliable source of information on Iowa’s laws with no legalese that the average person can easily comprehend. This website will help Iowans understand their rights and feel empowered as they navigate the legal system.” 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 work to develop additional legal topics to add to the website has already begun. Visit and bookmark the People’s Law Library website at: www.PeoplesLawIowa.org

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.

Promotional Materials

CE Training Opportunity

Join us for a webinar on Nov. 17 to learn more about the People’s Law Library and how the legal system works in Iowa. Find out more and register in IA Learns at the link below!

Legal Resources for You and Your Patrons: Introducing the People’s Law Library of Iowa
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 | 10:00 a.m.

Do you struggle to know how to respond when patrons approach the desk with legal questions? Have you been looking for a centralized repository of legal information? There are two main components to this session to help you better serve your patrons with those tricky kinds of questions. The first part will be an introduction to a new resource from the State Library of Iowa and the University of Iowa Law Library: The People’s Law Library of Iowa. This website makes it a snap to answer patrons’ questions in three major categories: landlord-tenant law, consumer law, and family law. In the second part of the hour, presenters will cover the structure of federal, state and municipal laws and how they interact. In addition to the People’s Law Library, we’ll also consider and explain other main sources of online legal information for Iowans.

Register in IA Learns

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.