Law Library Collection Arrangement

Maps of the Law Library are available in the literature rack in the library lobby. Maps are also posted on each floor, near the stairs. The four levels of the library are designated as Lower Level (LL), First Floor (1), Second Floor (2) and Third Floor (3). The second floor's west wing is called the Iowa Wing and ends with a special room called the Tax Room.

If you need assistance finding materials, please ask at the Information Desk.

The arrangement of the library's main stacks is 

• 1st floor: A to KF 135 (to Atlantic digest)
• 2nd floor: KF 135 (North Eastern reporter) to KF 9999
• 3d floor: KFA-KFZ; KG to Z  

A detailed Locator Guide (PDF), available at the Information Desk and the literature rack, lists major titles with their locations designated by shelf number.

First Floor: The first floor of the library houses three photocopy machines and several collections of frequently used items. Reserve materials, including unbound periodicals, are available at the Information Desk. Ready Reference materials are shelved near the library lobby desk. The reference collection is located near the copy machines. The index tables are located on the east side of the first floor. The general stacks on the first floor, starting after the reference shelves, house classified materials from A to KF 135 (Atlantic Digest).

Second Floor: The general stacks on the second floor run south to north and include classified materials from KF 135 (North Eastern Reporter) to KF 9999. Bound periodicals are arranged in alphabetical order on the far east side. The west wing of the second floor contains the Iowa collection, including briefs 1990-2007, and the Tax Room (KF 6200-KF 6999).

Third Floor: Classified materials on the third floor begin at the far south end with non-Iowa state materials (KFA to KFZ) and continue from KG to Z. The north end of the third floor has Iowa briefs 1910-1989 and old state reporters.

Lower Level: Government documents are located at the north end of the lower level. Superseded materials are stored on the south side of the lower level. Superseded state materials (not including Iowa) are located in compact shelving in the lower level; these are available during hours when a reference librarian is available by asking at the Information Desk. The Microform Room is located on the west side of the floor in room LL03. The SBA Bookstore is located in the southwest corner. The lower level also has student offices for the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law and the Moot Court Board. The Neal Smith Congressional Archives and the National Bar Association Archives are located in the southeast corner.

Catalog and Electronic Journal Articles

The library's online catalog can be accessed on the web and searched to find precise locations of books, journals, and other library materials. For information on finding journal articles in electronic databases, see the library's Finding Articles page.


This library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents. Public access to the government documents collection is guaranteed by public law. (Title 44 United States Code)