How the Iowa Law Library Preserves the Past and Creates the Future of Legal Scholarship
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Greetings, cherished readers. I’m so happy you came. I’d want to talk to you about something that interests and motivates me today: the Iowa Law Library. You’ll enjoy this place whether you’re a law student, an attorney, or just an inquisitive individual who enjoys learning about the legal system. It’s a veritable gold mine of legal innovation and history, not merely a library.
What is the Law Library of Iowa?
The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines is home to the Iowa Law Library. One of the biggest and oldest legal libraries in the nation, it was founded in 1838, when Iowa was still a territory. Its more than 100,000 books, journals, and other materials cover a broad spectrum of legal subjects and regions.
However, the Iowa Law Library is more than just a bookstore. With spiral staircases, Victorian-style architecture, and exquisite features extending from the floor to the ceiling, it’s also a stunning and distinctive area. You can sense the grandeur of the law and its history there. It’s also a location where you may get the newest and most cutting-edge services and tools for legal research.
The Iowa Law Library’s Architecture and Interior Design
The Main Reading Room, the North Reading Room, the South Reading Room, and the West Reading Room are the four parts that make up the two levels of the Capitol building that house the Iowa Law Library. Every area boasts unique accents and embellishments, like etched woodwork, marble columns, and stained glass windows.
The biggest and most striking space in the library is the Main Reading Room. It features a grand staircase, a balcony, and a high ceiling with a skylight. In addition, a sizable mural depicting the Iowa Supreme Court was painted there in 1886 by Kenyon Cox. The justices are shown in the painting wearing their robes, surrounded by symbolic representations of justice, law, liberty, and wisdom.
With a history reaching back to 1871, the North Reading Room is the library’s oldest section. With an Abraham Lincoln painting, a chandelier, and a fireplace, it exudes an elegant yet homey feel. It also boasts a unique collection of rare books, comprising some of the library’s most priceless and ancient legal manuscripts.
Added in 1884, the South Reading Room is the newest portion of the library. With its many windows, dome, and fountain, it feels airy and light. A selection of Iowa law texts, including statutes, codes, reports, and digests, are also included.
Situated behind the Main Reading Room, the West Reading Room is the library’s smallest and most private portion. With a stained glass window, a bust of George Washington, and a vaulted ceiling, it exudes a calm and cozy atmosphere. It also contains a selection of literature on foreign and international law, including canon, common, and civil law.
How is the history preserved by the Iowa Law Library?
The Iowa Law Library takes great pride in its history and its contribution to historical preservation. It features a unique collection honoring Arthur James Small, the 1896–1937 state law librarian. Many of the essential legal texts that remain in the library today, including English, Roman, and American colonial law, were acquired by him.
Non-fiction works about Iowa and Iowans can be found in the library’s Iowa Collection. The state of Hawkeye offers information on its people, history, culture, and environment. Additionally, you can explore the collection online or use your State Library card to check out some of the volumes.
A few of the rare and priceless books and manuscripts that are kept in the library are shown during guided tours that can be scheduled by appointment. Additionally, you can discover more about the Capitol building’s architecture and history. You can request a tour by submitting an Ask a Librarian form if you’re interested.
A Few of the Iowa Law Library’s Rare and Priceless Books
Some of the world’s rarest and most precious legal books, some dating back more than 500 years, are housed in the Iowa Law Library. Here are a few instances of the treasures that might be discovered at the library:
The Magna Carta: The renowned charter that outlined the freedoms and rights of the English people in 1215 is on display at the library. One of the first printed versions of the Magna Carta, the copy dates from 1576.
The Corpus Juris Civilis: Emperor Justinian assembled this collection of Roman laws in the sixth century, and it is available for viewing in the library. One of the earliest Latin versions of the Corpus Juris Civilis, the manuscript dates from 1583.
A copy of Sir William Blackstone’s seminal work on English law, the Commentaries on the Laws of England, which dates back to the 18th century, is available at the library. One of the earliest American editions of the Commentaries on the Laws of England, the copy dates from 1771.
How is the future shaped by the Iowa Law Library?
The Iowa Law Library serves as a resource for both looking forward and looking back. You can get the most up-to-date, pertinent legal studies and information there. The greatest online legal research databases and resources, like Bloomberg Law, Lexis+, Westlaw, HeinOnline, and others, are available there.
In addition, the library offers wireless printing, free high-speed internet, and a reference desk manned by knowledgeable librarians who can assist you with your research and answer your questions. Additionally, you can communicate with them virtually by filling out an Ask a Librarian form.
By holding conferences, seminars, and talks on a range of legal subjects and concerns, the library also promotes legal scholarship and instruction. The library’s website has more information about the activities that are coming up.
A Few of the Iowa Law Library’s Online Resources for Legal Research Tools and Services
You can locate the data and resources you require using a range of online legal research tools and services provided by the Iowa Law Library. Below are a few instances of what you can access to the library
- Bloomberg Law: Access to primary and secondary sources, news and analysis, practice tools, and business intelligence are all available on an all-inclusive and integrated platform for legal study.
- Dockets, statutes, rules, federal and state cases, and more can all be found through Bloomberg Law.
Lexis+: With access to primary and secondary sources, news and analysis, useful advice, and artificial - intelligence, Lexis+ is a cutting-edge and creative legal research tool. Research federal and state cases, legislation, rules, dockets, and more using Lexis+.
- Westlaw: With access to primary and secondary sources, news and analysis, practice tools, and artificial intelligence, Westlaw is a reputable and top legal research platform. Westlaw allows you to look up legislation, rules, dockets, federal and state cases, and more.
- HeinOnline: HeinOnline is a renowned and reliable legal study resource that offers access to both historical and contemporary materials, including books, journals, treaties, constitutions, and law reviews. HeinOnline provides study on a variety of topics, including constitutional law, international law, and legal history.
Why should you go to the Law Library of Iowa?
You may find out more about the law and have a look around at the Iowa Law Library. You can discover both the history and the prospects of legal scholarship there. You can be inspired and astounded by the strength and beauty of the law there.
I urge you to visit the Iowa Law Library if you’re ever in Des Moines. The public can view it from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. To find out more about the library’s materials and services, you can also go to its website.
I hope you found this blog post interesting and useful. I appreciate you reading, and I hope you will read more.
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