State Library Launches Online Legal Resource for Iowans
Oct 03, 2022
The State Library, in partnership with the University of Iowa Law Library, has 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.”
The inspiration for the People’s Law Library of Iowa came from a similar, well-established resource in Maryland and the work of the Iowa Access to Justice Commission to identify ways to help Iowans overcome obstacles when accessing the Iowa justice system. The website stems from a partnership between the State Library and the University of Iowa Law Library.
“Legal issues cause stress for most people, even lawyers!” said Carissa Vogel, the Director of the University of Iowa Law Library. “What better way to help address anxiety and worry than helping people along the path from a question or challenging situation to understandable, actionable information.”
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.
“I see this work as embodying the mission of the Iowa Board of Regents to engage in ‘creative activities to enhance the quality of life for Iowans and society in general,’“ said Vogel. “This website will serve so many people and connect them with the legal information they need to make their lives better. And it would not have been possible without the dedicated work of our law librarians and the team at the University of Iowa Law Library as well as volunteer reviewers from the Access to Justice Commission and beyond.”
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:
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.