Launching the People's Law Library

Last week, the State Library issued a press release regarding a brand new service to Iowans: the People’s Law Library of Iowa.  This new online  resource, with its stand-alone website, is designed to help Iowans easily find and navigate topics related to Iowa law.

In this effort, the State Library has partnered with the University of Iowa Law Library to develop the People’s Law Library. The new website includes information on legal topics such as consumer law, family law, and landlord/tenant law, along with guidance on researching legal issues, a glossary of more than 100 legal terms, and more.

State Librarian Michael Scott writes: “We are thrilled to provide this resource to Iowans. 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 so that the average person can easily comprehend. This website will help Iowans understand their rights and feel empowered as they navigate the legal system.”

Inspiration For 

the People’s Law Library of Iowa came from a similar, well-established site in Maryland, coupled with the work of the Iowa Access to Justice Commission.  Their mission is to help identify ways to help Iowans overcome obstacles when accessing the Iowa justice system.

“Legal issues cause stress for most people, even lawyers!” said Carissa Vogel, 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. This website will serve so many people and connect them with the legal information they need to make their lives better.”

Funding For

the People’s Law Library of Iowa comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of 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; the work to develop additional legal topics to add to the website has already begun.

Visit and bookmark the People’s Law Library website by clicking the link below.  And read on for more news about promotional materials and upcoming webinars introducing this new website.

Visit the People’s Law Library 

More on People's Law Library

Promotional Poster

We are looking to Iowa’s public libraries to help spread the word about the People’s Law Library because Iowa citizens are the direct beneficiaries.  To find some initial promotions, click the button below to download a poster and handbill to display @ your library.  Additional materials are in the process of being developed.

Download Poster

Introductory Webinar

State Library staff have already scheduled an information webinar titled “Legal Resources for You and Your Patrons” to help library staff feel more familiar with the People’s Law Library.  The date is November 17 (10:00AM) 

The class description from IALearns: “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?  The People’s Law Library website makes it a snap to answer patrons' questions in three major categories: landlord-tenant law, consumer law, and family law.  The goal of this webinar is to help you better serve your patrons with these kinds of legal questions.  Additionally, presenters will cover the structure of federal, state, and municipal laws and how they interact.”

Register in IALearns

Specific to Libraries: Library Law FAQ

And one more nod to legal resources: Iowa library staff and boards are encouraged to browse the Library Law FAQ.  Specific to libraries, this is a searchable database of topics on library-related laws and legal questions developed by State Law Librarian Mandy Easter.

This specific Q&A is designed to serve as a resource about the ways in which local, state, and federal laws impact library operations and services to the community.  The Q&A includes legal connections to library policies, personnel, and programming.  Turn to the Library Law FAQ to double-check your understanding of library-related laws, more questions and answers will be added regularly.

Browse the Library Law FAQ

Celebrate Friends of Libraries Week

October brings an opportunity to recognize the efforts of Library Friends Groups—it’s during National Friends of Libraries Week October 16-22.  And it’s United For Libraries, a division of the American Library Association, that coordinates Friends of Libraries Week each year.  2022 marks the 17th annual recognition as a time to promote local Friends Groups, raise awareness of their efforts, and thank them for their work in support of libraries everywhere.  You can be part of it all ?

The United For Libraries website has lots of ideas, including a sample press release, promotional materials, graphics, and stories about how Friends Groups across the country support their libraries in fun and effective ways.  You can also watch a recorded webinar that offers ideas on how to celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week within your library and throughout the community.  And hear about the ALA Store’s customizable products designed specifically for Friends Groups.

United for Libraries offers a variety of resources for library friends, foundations, and trustees.  Some of their materials are behind a pay wall, accessible to members. Other materials are freely available, among them are these publications in PDF format:

• Libraries Need Friends: Starting a Friends Group or Revitalizing the One You Have 
• Friends Groups: Critical Support for School Libraries 
• Power Guide for Successful Advocacy 

Download these docs and more at the button below. 
And make plans to celebrate ... 

Friends of Libraries Week @ Your Library

This Week ...

We are webinar-free this week and next as State Library staff make the final preparations for the Learning Circuit workshops scheduled for October 20.  There’s still time to register for the Learning Circuit nearest you.  And the Iowa Library Association Conference is happening this week in Coralville, safe travels to all attending!

Public Library Survey Tips

The FY22 Public Library Annual Survey is due on October 31 (for fiscal year July 2021-June 2022) If you haven’t started it yet, you’ll find these three pieces especially helpful as you begin. 

(1) Print version of the survey to use a worksheet; print to paper and fill in answers on the worksheet before filing the survey online

(2) Electronic resources are getting more complicated to report on the survey. There’s a specific page at the button below to help you decide how to best report electronic resources 

(3) Tutorials: five short videos provide an overview of how the Annual Survey software works. Watch them in any order, although watching them in the order shown on the page will step through the process sequentially. Note that these videos only explain the software, they do not address specific questions from the annual survey, standards, or accreditation.  

Find the pages and instructions noted above at the button below ... 

Public Library Annual Survey