State Library of Iowa
🏢 State Agency · Des Moines, Iowa
State Library of Iowa
The State Library of Iowa is Iowa's central library agency, based at 1112 E. Grand Avenue in Des Moines. It is not a typical public lending branch — it exists to support Iowa's 533 public libraries and to provide specialized services to the public, including a State Library Card, a reference and Ask a Librarian service, statewide digital resources through Bridges eLibrary, and the iconic State Law Library inside the Iowa State Capitol building.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8am–4:30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–4:30pm |
| Thursday | 8am–4:30pm |
| Friday | 8am–4:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1112 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (800) 248-4483
Website: statelibraryofiowa.gov
Plus Code: 86H8H9VW+4V (Des Moines, IA)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About State Library of Iowa
The State Library of Iowa is a state government agency headquartered in the Ola Babcock Miller Building at 1112 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines. Unlike a typical municipal public library, its primary mission is to strengthen and support Iowa's network of public, academic, school and special libraries — providing accreditation and standards, continuing education, federal LSTA grant administration, district support, and strategic planning assistance. For the general public, it offers a free State Library Card that unlocks access to the statewide catalog (SILO), an Ask a Librarian reference service, and meeting room reservations. It also administers the Enrich Iowa program, which distributed over $2.4 million to Iowa libraries in FY2025. The State Law Library, physically located in the Iowa State Capitol building, holds more than 100,000 volumes of legal materials and is open to the public; it offers cloud print services and wrought-iron spiral staircases inside one of Iowa's most architecturally striking interiors. Iowa residents can also access Bridges eLibrary — the statewide OverDrive platform providing eBooks, eAudiobooks and more — through their local public library cards. Visitors wishing to use the Law Library or the main State Library should contact the agency in advance for current public-hours information, as schedules are subject to change.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Iowa's central library agency — supports 533+ public libraries statewide through accreditation, training, LSTA grants and district services
- Enrich Iowa program distributed over $2.4 million to Iowa libraries in FY2025 alone
- Home to the State Law Library in the Iowa State Capitol — more than 100,000 legal volumes open to the public
- Statewide catalog SILO (State of Iowa Libraries Online) enables Iowans to search and request items across Iowa's public and academic libraries
- Administers Bridges eLibrary, giving Iowa public library cardholders free access to eBooks and audiobooks statewide
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Iowa residents can access free statewide digital resources through the State Library and participating Iowa public libraries:
📚 Services
- State Library Card — free to Iowa residents, unlocks SILO catalog and statewide resources
- Ask a Librarian — reference assistance by phone, email or in person
- State Law Library in the Iowa Capitol — 100,000+ legal volumes, open to the public
- Meeting room reservations at the Ola Babcock Miller Building
- Interlibrary loan and item request services
- Library accreditation, standards and continuing education for Iowa libraries
- Federal LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) grant administration
- Enrich Iowa funding program for Iowa public libraries
🎸 Programs
- Enrich Iowa — per-capita and other state aid to Iowa public libraries
- All Iowa Reads community reading initiative
- iREAD Summer Reading program support for Iowa libraries
- Continuing education workshops and training for library professionals
- Library Talk online forum for Iowa library staff (lt.silo.lib.ia.us)
📍 Public Libraries Near Des Moines
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the State Library of Iowa open to the public for borrowing books?
The State Library of Iowa is a state agency whose primary mission is to support Iowa's public, academic and school libraries — it is not a traditional public lending branch. However, Iowa residents can get a free State Library Card to access the SILO statewide catalog and digital resources, and the agency offers an Ask a Librarian reference service. The State Law Library, located in the Iowa Capitol building, is open to the public with a large collection of legal materials.
Where is the State Law Library of Iowa, and can anyone visit?
The State Law Library is located inside the Iowa State Capitol building in Des Moines. It holds more than 100,000 volumes of legal materials and is open to the public. The library features historically significant architecture including intricate wrought-iron spiral staircases. Contact the State Library at (800) 248-4483 for current visiting hours before your visit.
What is Bridges eLibrary and how do Iowa residents access it?
Bridges eLibrary is Iowa's statewide digital lending platform, powered by OverDrive and accessible through the Libby app. Iowa residents access it using their local public library card — any card from a participating Iowa public library unlocks the statewide collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks and other digital titles. The State Library of Iowa administers the program on behalf of the state.
What is the Enrich Iowa program?
Enrich Iowa is a State Library of Iowa funding program that distributes state and federal aid to Iowa public libraries. In FY2025 it distributed over $2.4 million across multiple library support programs, helping Iowa libraries maintain collections, services and facilities. Local Iowa libraries apply through the State Library, which administers the funds.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.