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State Documents Archive

The State Library maintains the official archive of documents from State of Iowa government and publications from state agencies. Documents and publications are stored in both in hardcopy as well as digital formats. The State Library partners with state agencies to archive state publications online to expand access for Iowans and beyond.

Iowa Publications Online

Iowa Publications Online (IPO) is a web-based repository of documents produced by State of Iowa agencies intended for use by the general public. State agencies are encouraged to partner with IPO for a permanent, secure location to archive publications including reports, newsletters, and other publications meant for Iowa citizens. Archiving with IPO also meets the statutory requirement set for state agencies by Iowa code.

Find out more about depositing with IPO or browse the IPO archive at the links below.

Deposit with IPO       Browse IPO

State Documents in the State Library Collection

The State Library maintains a physical collection of state documents that can be borrowed with a State Library card. Access the collection through the State Library Catalog at the link below. Click "Advanced Search" to select specific state document collection(s) to search or browse.

Search the State Library Catalog

Depository Library Program

The State Documents Depository Library Program provides a core list of Iowa government publications to be selected and shipped to participating depository libraries throughout Iowa. This service guarantees regional and local access to the most important Iowa government publications. For more information, or to request to become a depository library, contact Tom Keyser.

Questions?

Email the State Library IPO team or call 1-800-248-4483.

Email IPO

Depositing FAQ

Why should agencies archive their publications with the State Library?
Archiving state documents with the State Library saves space and staff resources, and makes agency publications permanently available at no charge. Depositing documents into IPO ensures continued availability online, and links to publications in IPO will never change.

In addition, archiving with the State Library allows agencies to meet the requirements set out in Iowa code 256.53 (State Publications), which mandates that "upon issuance of a state publication in any format, a state agency shall deposit with the division [State Library of Iowa] at no cost to the division, seventy-five copies of the publication or a lesser number if specified by the division [note: five (5) copies currently required], except as provided in section 2A.6."

What type and format of materials should agencies deposit?
A state publication is considered any document or material created by a state agency for use by the citizens of Iowa. These include reports, newsletters, research results, guides, brochures, etc. The State Library will accept any format, from paper, to DVD, to digital, and beyond. The publications deposited should be the complete official version, regardless of format. 

What about non-digital, hardcopy publications?
State agencies should send five (5) copies of each hardcopy publication, regardless of format. This ensures there will be enough copies for preservation and use. The State Library keeps two copies, one for the public to use and one to archive, two copies are sent to the University of Iowa's depository and one copy is sent to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. 

Hardcopy publications can be sent to:

State Library of Iowa
State Documents Center
1112 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319

Or send via local mail to: State Library of Iowa, State Documents Center, Miller Building