Your source for easy-to-understand information about Iowa's laws.
- Ask a Law Librarian: Submit a legal information question to the State Law Library of Iowa.
- Guidance on Researching Legal Issues and Finding a Lawyer.
- Law Terms Defined: Search or browse the list below to learn the definitions of terms that are often used in the legal context.
- Research Topics: Information on legal topics such as consumer law, family law, and landlord/tenant law.
About the People's Law Library of Iowa
Background
In 2016, the Iowa Supreme Court established the Iowa Access to Justice Commission in part to find ways to help Iowans overcome obstacles when accessing the Iowa justice system. From the beginning, Commissioners wanted to provide Iowans with a resource similar to what existed in a number of states: a basic, easy-to-understand website with information about the law. The gold-standard for such websites was and is The People’s Law Library of Maryland. However, such resources cannot be created or maintained for free, and the website remained a dream for the Commission, including Mandy Easter, who in addition to being actively involved with the Commission is the State Library of Iowa’s Law Librarian.
In 2021, the State Library of Iowa sought grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for initiatives to assist libraries with ongoing challenges in connecting with patrons and making their resources more widely accessible online. Since the idea and model existed for a long-desired People’s Law Library of Iowa, grant funding was allocated to build and launch a website by September 30, 2022.
The State Library reached out to the University of Iowa Law Library for advice and ideas, which eventually evolved into a partnership. And, over the course of less than a year, this website was created and launched!
What the People's Law Library is (and what it isn't)
The People’s Law Library of Iowa is meant to be an easy-to-understand, basic information website about the law. The assumption is that the user has no prior knowledge of law or legal topics. This website can be a good starting point for understanding some legal issues. It seeks to help users find primary law, so anyone can read the original text being summarized, and to collect and link to accurate, authoritative sources, like the Iowa Judicial Branch or Iowa Attorney General websites, for example. Lastly, because people learn and retain information in different ways, the website contains video explanations of some topics, as well as navigation and training videos for how to best use the website.
The People’s Law Library is not legal advice, nor is it a replacement for a lawyer. The contents should be read as providing basic, introductory information only.
The law can be complicated and many aspects of the law change regularly. More information about how to find a lawyer, including free and low-cost options, is available here.
Additional questions about the People's Law Library? Feel free to contact us.
The People's Law Library of Iowa is a program of the State Library of Iowa.
In 2016, the Iowa Supreme Court established the Iowa Access to Justice Commission in part to find ways to help Iowans overcome obstacles when accessing the Iowa justice system. From the beginning, Commissioners wanted to provide Iowans with a resource similar to what existed in a number of states: a basic, easy-to-understand website with information about the law. The gold-standard for such websites was and is The People’s Law Library of Maryland. However, such resources cannot be created or maintained for free, and the website remained a dream for the Commission, including Mandy Easter, who in addition to being actively involved with the Commission is the State Library of Iowa’s Law Librarian.
In 2021, the State Library of Iowa sought grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for initiatives to assist libraries with ongoing challenges in connecting with patrons and making their resources more widely accessible online. Since the idea and model existed for a long-desired People’s Law Library of Iowa, grant funding was allocated to build and launch a website by September 30, 2022.
The State Library reached out to the University of Iowa Law Library for advice and ideas, which eventually evolved into a partnership. And, over the course of less than a year, this website was created and launched!
What the People's Law Library is (and what it isn't)
The People’s Law Library of Iowa is meant to be an easy-to-understand, basic information website about the law. The assumption is that the user has no prior knowledge of law or legal topics. This website can be a good starting point for understanding some legal issues. It seeks to help users find primary law, so anyone can read the original text being summarized, and to collect and link to accurate, authoritative sources, like the Iowa Judicial Branch or Iowa Attorney General websites, for example. Lastly, because people learn and retain information in different ways, the website contains video explanations of some topics, as well as navigation and training videos for how to best use the website.
The People’s Law Library is not legal advice, nor is it a replacement for a lawyer. The contents should be read as providing basic, introductory information only.
The law can be complicated and many aspects of the law change regularly. More information about how to find a lawyer, including free and low-cost options, is available here.
Additional questions about the People's Law Library? Feel free to contact us.
The People's Law Library of Iowa is a program of the State Library of Iowa.